What Are VCSEF Organisations?
The VCSEF sector brings together a wide and diverse range of organisations working to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. VCSEF stands for Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise and Faith – four individual types of organisations with shared values, working collaboratively to create social impact, reduce inequality, and ensure local voices are heard in shaping services and systems.
VCSEF organisations are united by a common purpose: supporting people, especially those most at risk of being overlooked, disadvantaged, or marginalised. They are often embedded within the communities they serve, building trusted relationships and delivering tailored, person-centred support.
What Makes Up the VCSEF Sector?
The sector includes a huge variety of groups, from small grassroots projects to large, structured organisations. It is characterised by independence from statutory bodies, not-for-profit operation, and a focus on social value over financial return.
Voluntary Organisations
Charities, community interest companies, and non-profits delivering services or advocacy. These might focus on homelessness, mental health, children’s wellbeing, or a wide range of other issues.
Community Groups
Locally rooted initiatives often run by and for local people. These may be neighbourhood forums, mutual aid groups, or informal associations offering support, connection, and activities at a hyper-local level.
Social Enterprises
Businesses with a social purpose that reinvest profits into community benefit. Examples include ethical cafés, training programmes for excluded groups, or zero-waste enterprises.
Faith Groups
Places of worship, interfaith networks, and faith-based organisations contributing to social action. Many faith groups provide food banks, youth services, counselling, housing support, and emergency assistance – driven by deeply held values and a commitment to justice and compassion.
Each of these sectors contributes uniquely. Together, they form a vital ecosystem of support, innovation, and advocacy.
Why the VCSEF Sector Matters
The VCSEF sector plays an essential role in society:
- Bridging Gaps: Often reaching people who don’t access statutory services, or who face systemic barriers due to poverty, inequality, discrimination, or isolation.
- Listening to Communities: Capturing lived experience and feeding that insight into the design of services, strategies, and systems.
- Driving Innovation: Piloting new approaches and solutions, particularly where public services struggle to meet need.
- Advocating for Change: Championing social justice, inclusion, and equity through voice and influence.
This sector doesn’t just fill gaps – it transforms lives and strengthens social cohesion. As systems become more complex and stretched, the contribution of VCSEF groups becomes increasingly critical.
Our Vision for VCSEF Working
The VCSEF Network exists to unite and amplify the voices of the voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sectors. We believe in a future where these groups are:
- Respected as equal partners in service design, delivery, and decision-making
- Supported with sustainable funding, infrastructure, and policy frameworks
- Connected to one another, and to the public sector, for collaboration and learning
- Empowered to influence systems and tackle the root causes of inequality
We work to make that future a reality through shared learning, collective voice, strong partnerships, and representation in local and regional structures.
Who We Work With
The VCSEF sector collaborates with a wide range of partners:
- Local authorities and Integrated Care Systems – bringing community insight into strategic planning
- Public health, housing and education – offering joined-up, preventative support
- Funders and commissioners – ensuring investment reaches those making real impact on the ground
- Each other – building a culture of mutual support, peer learning, and shared values
A Fairer Future for Everyone
Whether rooted in voluntary service, social enterprise, community organising or faith, VCSEF groups are working every day to build a fairer, safer, and more inclusive society. This sector is not peripheral – it is essential. And together, we are stronger.