This report produces statistical analysis of the situation of the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) in Essex. This forms part of a wider ‘Community Listening Project’ commissioned by Essex Community Foundation which aims to complete a comprehensive audit of the activities of the voluntary sector in Greater Essex. The work has been designed to support planning and preparations for a new NHS Integrated Care Board covering the whole of Essex and (currently paused) proposals for local government reorganisation.

In this report, data are drawn from a combined register of all currently active voluntary organisations England and Wales. The report also uses survey data from Third Sector Trends in 2025 and provides comparative evidence to highlight activities and achievements of the VCSE sector in Essex that are distinctive, effective or particularly challenging. The analysis builds upon findings from a series of national reports from the Third Sector Trends study and a previous study on Essex in 2023.

The statistical analysis was completed in June 2026, but publication was scheduled for October 2026 so that a qualitative study, also commissioned by Essex Community Foundation could be completed. An event to present and debate findings from both studies will take place in November 2026.

The VCSE sector in Essex is large and productive. There are about 5,200 registered voluntary organisations in the county, that is about 2.8 per 1,000 resident population county wide. The density of voluntary organisations is much higher, however, in the county’s most affluent areas such as Uttlesford where there are 5.1 VCSE organisations per 1,000 residents.

In these more social advantaged and less urbanised districts, there tends to be a greater concentration on micro and small organisations than in less affluent urban areas such as Southend-on-Sea where the proportion of larger organisations is more evident and many more of them focus on critical and pernicious social needs.

The focus of the local VCSE sector in Essex reflects its purpose and practices. In more rural areas of north Essex, voluntary organisations tend to concentrate their attention at neighbourhood or village level while in larger urban areas of the county, they are more likely to work across a wider spatial area – often crossing district or local authority boundaries.

It is estimated that the total value of sector energy expended was about £1.3bn in 2025 and that it produced about £2bn in fiscal, economic and use value for the county. When intangible aspects of social value are added into the equation, it is estimated that total sector contribution was £4.6bn which represents about £35,600 per 1,000 resident population.

Working relationships within the VCSE sector in Essex is strong and suggests a well-embedded culture of cooperation: 76% of VCSE organisations work together in informal ‘complementary’ ways, 68% in semi-formal ‘collaborations’, and 32% work in formally constituted ‘partnerships’.

Relationships with the private sector are widespread: 39% of VCSE organisations are given money by business to help them work, 32% are provided with free use of facilities or provided free goods, 21% get employer volunteer support and 26% were in receipt of pro bono expert advice from businesses.

Public sector relationships are also strong. 89% of VCSE organisations feel valued by public bodies and 67% feel well informed about issues that affect them. Fewer feel involved appropriately in the development and implementation of policies that are relevant to them (46%) but 48% of VCSE organisations believe that local public bodies act upon their opinions or responses to consultations.

In response to questions about local devolution, 62% of VCSE organisations in Essex feel that opportunities for effective collaborative working have increased and 43% feel that public bodies are now giving more notice about new initiatives. Furthermore, 49% believe that public sector bodies are working together more effectively. These baseline data will be useful for comparative purposes if the five prospective unitary authorities in Essex are, ultimately, established.

An event has been organised by Essex Community Foundation on 19th November in Chelmsford to debate the findings from this study together with those from the wider Community Listening  Project.

The report by Tony Chapman and Jonathan Wistow is available here: The contribution of VCSE organisations to place – a study of Essex in comparative context (October 2026)