News

Thriving communities don’t happen by accident. When people have access to volunteering opportunities, spaces to socialise and meet new people, and public services that meet their needs, health and wellbeing improves. A strong and effective voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector can support this, but only with a network of support, relationships and coordination that often goes unseen – that’s where NAVCA members come in.

Behind every thriving volunteering opportunity sits thoughtful infrastructure: coordination, funding, partnership working, encouragement, and practical support. That’s exactly what VCQA-accredited NAVCA member One Knowsley has demonstrated through the Knowsley Heritage Grants programme — creating the conditions for volunteering to flourish in new and inclusive ways.

Local government in England is going through one of its biggest periods of change in a generation. Through devolution and local government reorganisation, new decision-making structures are emerging that will shape how services are designed, funded and delivered in communities.

Volunteering doesn’t happen by accident. Creating and sustaining an enabling environment for volunteering can be complicated. Volunteers and potential volunteers have different motivations, skills, interests and confidence. Equally, volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) also have differing motivations, approaches and purposes.

Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI) sit at the heart of what local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) do. Every day, LIOs work across systems and sectors, supporting VCSE organisations, connecting communities with decision-makers, and shaping more inclusive local places. That unique role brings both opportunity and responsibility: to model good practice internally, to share power thoughtfully, and to champion equity across everything LIOs do.

Across our network, NAVCA members are already doing vital work to support communities, challenge inequality and create spaces where people can thrive. But in a context of widening inequality, growing polarisation and increased pressure on the VCSE sector, allyship in action is more important than ever.