East Sussex VCSE Alliance State of the Sector Research Reports

The East Sussex VCSE Alliance is delighted to launch the findings of research it commissioned on the state of the VCSE sector in East Sussex. The co-funded project was led by the Alliance on behalf of voluntary sector organisations, East Sussex County Council and Sussex Community Foundation.

Research was undertaken by Colligo Labs, in partnership with Ideas Alliance. It took place at a key moment for the sector given the current economic challenges and imminent structural changes to the public sector with the local government reorganisation and the NHS 10-year plan.

The focus was to provide an up-to-date picture of the VCSE sector’s social and economic resilience, value and impact in East Sussex.

The VCSE sector in East Sussex represents a substantial economic and social force:

• Approximately 3,500 organisations across the county
• £90 million in annual economic value generated
• 9,400 direct employees in paid roles
• 100,000+ volunteers contributing over 14 million hours annually (equivalent to 8,500 full-time employees)

Over 150 stakeholders from across sectors took part, to understand the sector’s current state and suggest recommendations to help shape a sustainable future.

The findings are published in a report, which identifies enduring strengths within the sector and also emphasises the critical challenges it is facing.

It sets out a vision for transformation and an immediate ‘Call to Action’ – recommending a comprehensive programme of change that requires collaboration across all sectors, sustained leadership, adequate resourcing and regular review.

East Sussex’s VCSE sector delivers exceptional value, preventing crises and building community resilience. However, severe funding instability has moved from chronic concern to acute crisis. 

The report provides the evidence base and practical recommendations for choosing renewal over decline.