Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) support

Working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector

Sandwell has a rich and diverse voluntary and community sector in Sandwell and the council has a long history of working closely with them both as advocates for local people and as providers of services. The voluntary and community sector provides:

• local community based services
• choice
• independence
• opportunities for people to participate - as volunteers as well as service users
• specialist services

Role of the council

In order to help voluntary and community organisations to thrive, the council provides a wide range of support including: funding, discretionary rate relief, access to meeting space, information, training.

As a commissioner of services the council has an important role in helping to shape the services provided by voluntary and community organisations.