14 April 2026

Tel: 01245 355947

Greater Essex is at a pivotal moment of change.

A-Joint-Vision-For-Civil-Society-in-Greater-Essex (5)

Local government reorganisation, health system transformation, and the rollout of the Civil Society Covenant present both pressures and opportunities for communities.

At this time, civil society is essential – not only to provide continuity and insight but also to help shape the future of support across the region. A Joint Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex provides a practical framework for civil society and public partners to work together to meet these challenges.

 

What is the Vision? 

Led by Essex Community Foundation (ECF) in partnership with the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, is a practical tool to guide partnership, planning, and investment, as well as an invitation for change.

It sets out a shared ambition for a trusted and thriving civil society across Greater Essex, recognising the vital role and economic and social value of civil society. The vision explains how partners can work together to reimagine how support is designed and delivered.

Why now? 

Greater Essex is facing significant structural change, including: 

These changes create both pressures and opportunities for communities. Throughout this period, civil society provides continuity, trust, and deep community insight – enabling public partners to meet statutory duties while ensuring local people receive the support they need.

What does the Vision Call for? 

How was a Joint Vision created? 

The vision was led by Essex Community Foundation and developed through an engagement-led, evidence-informed process. It draws on conversations and cross-sector engagement with civil society organisations, including voluntary, community, social enterprise, and faith partners across Essex, alongside local government and health partners.

The document was refined through stakeholder feedback and informed by Essex-wide research, national evidence, and established data sources, including government research on the social value of civil society interventions, which shaped its themes and priorities.

 

 

Why your support matters 

The vision represents a collective voice for civil society in Greater Essex. Visible support from organisations and partners strengthens that voice and ensures shared priorities are heard and acted upon during a period of significant system change. 

Endorsing the vision means publicly expressing support and committing to consider how your organisation can contribute to its delivery. 

How to take action 

 

Explore our Supporter Toolkit PDF below for all the information, resources and guidance you need to help share the vision.

Click the PDF below to download:

 

 

You can also find all the templates and Word documents referenced in the Supporter Toolkit available to download below:

Supporter Toolkit Documents- Click here to download.

 

Current Vision Endorsers 

The following organisations have formally endorsed ‘A Joint Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex’: 

Some endorsers have shared quotes in their own words. Click “See quote” to read them.

Baby Basics Billericay

 

Action for Family Carers

See quote 

“I believe that genuine, long-term partnership with the local voluntary sector is needed and would deliver significant benefits for carers and their families and for the wider community in Essex including through reduced health inequalities.”

Snap Charity

See quote 

“Families rely on charities to provide trusted support, insight and early intervention that makes a real difference to their lives. A shared commitment to partnership and long-term investment in the voluntary sector will help ensure communities across Essex continue to thrive.” – Karen, CEO, SNAP Charity

Renew Counselling

 

UTurn4Support

 

Enterprise East Group CIC

 

Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS)

 

Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action (Rama)

 

“The voluntary sector in Essex is often the only representatives, accessible support services and advocates for the most marginalised and vulnerable among us. Including us is key to a strong and stable Essex.”

African Families in the UK (AFIUK)

See quote 

“At a time of climate change and growing financial pressure, the voluntary sector has never been more vital. For the marginalised families we support, our services are lifelines, not luxuries. Sustainable funding ensures people do not fall through the cracks of an overstretched system. Investing in the voluntary sector means investing in equity, dignity, prevention and resilience because without that support, the human and societal cost will be far greater.”

Essex Association of Local Councils

 

Castle Point Association for Voluntary Services (CAVS)

 

Brighter Opportunities for Special People (BOSP)

See quote 

“The shared vision demonstrates the determination of civil society to see wider impactful change within the County.”

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST)

See quote 

“CVST supports the core principles of the Vision, particularly its focus on genuine partnership and sustained, long term investment in communities. We are committed to helping realise this ambition and are keen to ensure that the level of aspiration outlined is matched with a realistic understanding of the current capacity and pressures within the sector.”

Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex

See quote 

“The PFCC recognises the vital role of the VCS across Essex and demonstrates this through commissioning local organisations to deliver frontline services... In 2025, the PFCC invested over £6m in the sector, reflecting the scale of our reliance on the sector’s expertise and underlining our confidence in the value it delivers.”

RRAVS - Rayleigh Rochford & District Association for Voluntary Service

 

Essex Sight (Essex Blind Charity)

 

Essex Carers Support

See quote 

“Essex Carers Support is pleased to add its support to this vision document and look forward to working collaboratively to help advance the shared aims it sets out.”

Essex Wildlife Trust

 

Micro Rainbow CIC

 

Home-Start Essex

 

Rainbow Services (Harlow)

See quote 

“Rainbow Services is a proud partner of ECF, and we share their vision of a more sustainable and respected voluntary sector.”

Uttlesford Community Action Network (UCAN)

See quote 

“I strongly support this vision, especially at such a critical time, when the VCSE needs stability more than ever.”

MyOTAS (My Own Time & Space)

 

NHS Mid and South Essex ICB

See quote 

“We are proud to work with community groups, support the aims of this vision and thank ECF for it”

Next Chapter

 

Community360

See quote 

“The Joint Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex sets out a powerful and timely blueprint for how we can work better together. I fully endorse this vision and welcome its call for partnership, investment, and long term thinking. It provides the clarity and ambition our sector needs to deliver lasting impact across the county.”

Essex Carers Network CIC

 

Ideas Hub Chelmsford

See quote 

“This initiative fills in a longstanding gap.”

Diocese of Chelmsford

See quote 

“Partnership working across Essex is a real strength - and we absolutely must work to ensure that it continues to thrive during this time of transition.”

Basildon Borough Council

See quote 

“This vision reflects our shared belief that strong, resilient communities are built through collaboration, compassion, and a deep commitment to local people. Across Basildon, we see every day how voluntary organisations, residents, and partners enrich our borough and help ensure that no one is left behind.”

3food4u

 

Healthwatch Essex (Southend)

 

CHESS Homeless

See quote 

“The third sector has proven to deliver desperately needed services time and time again - having Essex Community Foundation to gather us all and speak up for greater joint working between statutory and voluntary organisations is very welcome”

Essex Boys and Girls Clubs

 

Essex Police

See quote 

The Community and Voluntary Sector across Essex are an essential part of the community that work with policing to help keep people safe and reduce crime.

Trust Links

See quote 

“This is a pivotal time for Greater Essex. We can achieve so much by working together for positive change and the Vision highlights the importance of the voluntary and community sector in helping to shape Essex for the better.”

Castle Point Borough Council

 

Headway Essex

 

Open Road Visions

 

Maldon and District CVS

 

Colchester City Council

 

“The move towards a progressive civil society which supports all residents in partnership with local government and public sector partners is most welcome.

Braintree Area Foodbank

 

Specialist Rape and Sexual Abuse Services (SERICC)

See quote 

"We are so past the point where the statutory sector can solve all community problems, it's all about meaningful equal partnerships. The Vison is the way to go."

Nick Eveleigh, CEO of Chelmsford City Council