State of the Sector Research: resilience, value and impact of the VCSE sector in East Sussex
Colligo Labs, in partnership with Ideas Alliance have officially launched the State of the Sector research and July is an important phase of insight gathering and conversations with people working in the VCSE sector.
They are holding a range of online focus groups and in person workshop during July. To take part in the survey and to find out more please click the button below.
East Sussex VCSE Alliance Report, Executive Summary Report April – June 2025
The East Sussex VCSE Alliance plays a central role in shaping local service design, influencing policy, and strengthening the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. This summary captures high-level activities and outcomes during April to June of this year.
East Sussex Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Alliance
Monthly Newsletter
Have a read of our latest newsletter and find out what’s been happening locally in the VCSE sector.
The East Sussex Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Alliance is made up of 26 of the county’s VCSE organisations.
All members are active participants and commit to operate according to the following three principles:
Alliance priorities for 2025 – 2028
Alliance members have formed working groups to lead on and progress activity on the following three areas of work.
We consistently demonstrate the sector voice and live the values of Collaboration, Accountability and Generous Leadership
Financial Inclusion
Having a strategic focus, we will:
- consider steps to address the causes of financial exclusion
- adopt a collaborative approach to commissioning money advice services
- review training and information available to staff and members of the public on the range of welfare information, support and benefits available
Representation, relationships & influencing
We want to develop our activity by:
- representing the voluntary sector at key stakeholder meetings
- being seen and valued as a strategic partner
- championing and challenging for the sector and local people
- building on our position as respected, equal and expert partners, we aim to use our relationships, significant reach and influence to deliver positive outcomes for the sector and our communities.
Sector Resilience
We want to understand the resilience position of the voluntary sector in East Sussex through:
- reviewing commissioning, asset transfer, external funding and investment opportunities
- strengthening our place within local VCSE networks and programmes
- developing and enhancing our strategic position with our statutory partners
The Alliance Chair and Vice Chair
Jennifer Twist , Chief Officer of Care for the Carers, is Chair of the Alliance. Jennifer brings over 16 years of experience of speaking up with, and for, carers to achieve strategic change, and has over a decade of experience as a VCSE representative on many strategic Boards with the NHS, local authorities and cross sector partnerships.
Steve Hare, Chief Executive of Age UK East Sussex, is Vice Chair of the Alliance. Steve is a committed champion for the VCSE sector, with over 30 years’ experience as a strategically important voice for local people and communities and for its demonstration of generous leadership and collaborative working principles.
Alliance hosting organisation and support team
East Sussex Community Voice hosts the Alliance – CEO Veronica Kirwan, has extensive experience of working at a senior level across public, private and voluntary sectors. With a focus on establishing cross-sector partnerships to deliver maximum impact for local communities, working on a range of community, regeneration and economic inclusion programmes.
The Alliance Development Manager manages the day-to-day coordination of the Alliance – Anna McCollin-Moore previously supported an Alliance of coastal local authorities whose aim was to boost coastal productivity, and managed a handyman service enabling people to remain living safely and independently in their own homes.
Keep up with Alliance events
For more information about our news and what we’re up to please visit our news and activities and events page