Making it happen: The contribution of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors to LEP objectives

Article

Based on a survey of more than 230 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in the York and North Yorkshire area, this report identifies some key barriers facing VCSE activities and makes recommendations both to the VCSE sector and to the local enterprise partnership (LEP).

VCSE sector organisations employ people, buy goods and services from other organisations and businesses and create demand for other organisations and business.

Two of the VCSE sector's most significant contributions to economic development are as an employer and a supporter of volunteers. At a best estimate, the VCSE sector employs 7 per cent of the sub-region's workforce, and supports an estimated 139,241 volunteers.

The sector also contributes to economic development through the services it delivers to its beneficiaries in York and North Yorkshire, to access training and to enter and sustain work.

However, 70 per cent of VCSE organisations have been adversely affected by the economic climate, especially organisations that employ staff and those with larger annual incomes. Organisations are also relatively pessimistic, with an estimated 36 per cent planning to take
on staff in the future, compared to 63 per cent of VCSE organisations and 70 per cent of private businesses nationally.

This report was commissioned by the York and North Yorkshire Partnership Unit, North Yorkshire and York Forum and Your Consortium Ltd.

Related items

  1. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
  2. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland

    Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions. 
  3. A Black man in a bright orange high vis jacket and hard hat stands in the middle of a road holding a sign that says 'STOP - WORKS'

    Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives

    As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.