About the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector
Across Cornwall there are many voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE). These organisations play a huge role in improving the lives of our residents. The last comprehensive review of Cornwall's VCSE sector took place in 2013. It found that the VCSE sector included 9% of Cornwall's total workforce. (This is in comparison with 3% nationally.) It comprised c13% of our economy (excluding the value of volunteering). Cornwall has one of the highest volunteering rates in the UK. Over a third of people give volunteer time, worth around half a billion pounds.
Voluntary organisations make a huge contribution to the Council's priorities for Cornwall. They often prevent or reduce demand for statutory services. They also deliver services through new, innovative community led and owned service models. The Council, as well as other statutory bodies, also fund many of the activities carried out by the voluntary sector in Cornwall.
All parts of the statutory and voluntary sector are currently facing funding pressures. It is more important than ever that we work together. Cornwall Council wants to work with, support and celebrate Cornwall's vital VCSE sector.
Coronavirus support for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
VCSE Sector Update
Joint regular e-newsletters are published for the VCSE sector. These are produced by Cornwall Council and Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. This is to keep you informed and equipped to do what you’re doing, at the front lines of the response to the pandemic in Cornwall.
You can view previous issues of our e-newsletter
Coronavirus funding support
Support for VCSE groups
Funding resources and opportunities are continually monitored. These are checked by Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum and other VCSE organisations, including:
- charities
- community groups
- individuals seeking assistance
Funding and grants for voluntary groups
Support for businesses
Some VCSE organisations may be eligible for business support. Those;
- in receipt of charitable business rates relief
- unable to access other forms of government funding
Cornwall Emergency Appeal
Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) manage the Emergency Fund Appeal. This appeal enables CCF to offer grants to certain organisations. These organisations must be operating in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They must also be working with people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The grants are to cover the costs for additional work, over and above normal activities. This work must be in response to the immediate relief of COVID-19 to members or beneficiaries.
CCF is also administering the local distribution of the National Emergencies Trust funding.
Other useful links can be found below
Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum
Cornwall Council has a strategic partnership with Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF). CVSF continues supporting the sector’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic
Please see below for more information
Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF) is an independent organisation. As such, it represents and speaks for Cornwall's diverse VCSE sector. Through working with VSF, together we aim to achieve four things;
- Build trust with VCSE organisations by giving them a greater voice and increased opportunities for collaboration
- Add value to procurement processes by giving the VCSE sector meaningful involvement in the way that services are created and delivered through co-design and co-delivery
- Grow sector resilience and funding
- Make better use of our combined resources
We have made some important steps during our first year of partnership. You can read more in our recent joint publication.
- Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum
- Volunteering during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Charity Commission Coronavirus Guidance
- Managing financial difficulties in your charity
- Money Saving Expert provides constantly updated guides. These offer need-to-knows on the financial fallout of the pandemic.
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations offers Coronavirus guidance
- Technical Help and Support for VCSE organisations during Covid-19
- Cornwall Link is an online platform for communities in Cornwall. It helps them to connect and support each other through the Coronavirus pandemic
- Ask Cornwall is a community platform for conversations about health and wellbeing in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
- Safer Cornwall is a community safety partnership for Cornwall
- Safer Futures provides a support service for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Our Safeguarding Children Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This has some useful resources and links to guidance
- COVID-19 resources in alternative formats