Skip to content
A group of seven kids in bright green vests celebrate by high-fiving each other outdoors.

We know that lots of grassroots clubs and community organisations are reliant on the support and dedication of their amazing volunteers. Without them many simply wouldn’t exist but, sometimes, the to-do list for these volunteers can feel overwhelming.

From legal structures and good governance to business planning, raising money and recruiting new volunteers, it can be hard to know where to start and who to go to for help.

While lots of help exists within the sector, there’s an incredible network of local, out-of-sector organisations who can help too – the Councils for Voluntary Services (CVSs).

What is a CVS?

CVSs can sometimes be referred to as Voluntary Service Councils (VCS), Volunteer Centres, Community Foundation or Centres for Community Action or Voluntary Action.

CVSs are usually umbrella or membership organisations. Typically, their role is to:

  • connect and advocate for local not-for-profit organisations and communities
  • encourage collaboration
  • act as an umbrella organisation to consult on and champion local issues
  • help attract investment
  • drive change and ignite action
  • provide support to meet the local needs
  • share information and training
  • work closely with other service providers, such as your Local Authority or Active Partnership, to help them to consult and gain access to organisations at the heart of their local community.

There’s usually a small membership fee to pay which will give you access to their wide-reaching services.

What support is available from a CVS?

The support each CVS provides will vary between organisations. Each will be focussed on responding to the needs and the challenges of the organisations and communities they support like the creation of community partnerships or social prescribing programmes, but most CVSs are likely to offer:

Organisational support
Help to start, set-up, run or develop your organisation. This may include helping you write a constitution or other required policies and procedures, help with development planning or supporting conflict resolution.
Volunteer support
CVSs often have a dedicated ‘volunteer centre’ that can help clubs and community organisations to recruit, retain, support and develop their volunteers.
Support with finances
A CVS may be able to support with the creation of business plans, give advice on managing finances or finding and applying for funding. Some even have their own funding pots that you can apply for!
Keeping people safe
A CVS can provide advice and support on safeguarding to help organisations supplement what’s available to them from their national governing body, the Active Partnership network, the Child Protection in Sport Unit or the Ann Craft Trust.
Professional advice
A CVS can support your organisation in finding appropriate professional advice ranging from legal, financial or planning services.
Marketing and communications
A CVS can support you to better promote your organisation or to improve and refine your marketing and communication techniques.
Training opportunities
Some CVSs may run their own training whilst others signpost to events, webinars or courses that are externally delivered. Topics vary and can range from general first aid training, GDPR training and financial management skills, through to very specific topics like communicating with neurodivergent people.
Networking opportunities
CVSs often provide their members with the opportunity to meet, connect and network with other local organisations or services. This can be helpful for organisations who are looking to create community partnerships or to reach new audiences.
Equipment and facilities
Sometimes CVSs run their own programmes designed to help organisations gain access to hired equipment or space.
Social prescribing programmes
Some CVSs play an active role in assisting local people to improve their health and wellbeing. They actively listen to people’s concerns and work to connect or signpost them to support, activities and services in the local community that can help them. We call this support social prescribing.

How to find your local CVS

The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) are an independent charity and the umbrella body for all CVS organisations. 

They can help you to find your local CVS organisation and learn about the services they offer.

Other organisations that can offer help

Whilst a CVS can provide support to all types of voluntary and community groups, they’re unlikely to be able to support with sport or activity-specific challenges or queries. Other organisations can help you with this, including:

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) also work to connect organisations, represent the voluntary sector to the government and provide support resources.

They have lots of self-service online resources covering a range of topics including setting up and running a charity, plus information on governance, safeguarding, volunteer management, financial management and digital technology.

They also have a great helpdesk that can help you get answers to any of your questions here or that can signpost you to where you can get further support.

Some of the NCVOs online resources are available to everyone, others are only available to qualifying members including charities, community groups or voluntary organisations based in England.

There may be a charge to join but some smaller organisations can access membership for free. Please contact NCVO directly fore more details.

Watch Bexley VSC in action

Check the video