Public services

Around a quarter of voluntary organisations receive funding from government, often for delivering vital public services. In 2013/14 the voluntary sector received £15bn (34%) of its income in the form of contracts and grants from government.

The voluntary sector can help to transform public services – not just by delivering services but also by shaping service design. Many voluntary organisations have pioneered the services they provide – by being the first to identify and meet a need and then persuading the state to take responsibility for making the necessary services universally available.

Voluntary organisations often have a unique perspective on how to improve services. Often based within the communities they work with, charities bring a local expertise to public service delivery and are able to reach and provide a voice for some of the most marginalised and isolated people.

Through research, policy, influencing, training and guidance NCVO seeks to reduce the barriers which prevent charities from playing a fuller role in public services. 

What we're working on

• We are working with government to develop measures which help smaller charities play a bigger role in public services. Our former public services manager Nick Davies wrote on the blog about the most recent announcement.
• NCVO, Clinks and Third Sector Research Centre are monitoring the voluntary sector's involvement in Transforming Rehabilitation. We will shortly be publishing a new survey seeking the views of charities involved in probation.
• We are actively involved in the UK Open Government Civil Society Network, with a particular interest in greater contract and grant transparency.
• We sit on the steering group of the national Social Prescribing Network. Read Lev's blog on social prescribing
• The Cultural Commissioning Programme works with policy makers and stakeholders to embed support for cultural commissioning.
• NCVO is a member of the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance which aims to amplify the collective voice of the VCSE sector and work towards reducing health inequalities.

Find out more about public services

• The UK Civil Society Almanac and Institute for Volunteering Research both have statistics about public service delivery by the voluntary sector.
• We have lots of information on commissioning and procurement over on NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit. Watch our free Studyzone video, Influencing decision makers and commissioners.

How we can help

• NCVO is an approved provider for Big Potential, a Big Lottery Fund grant fund, which aims to raise awareness of the social investment market and support voluntary organisations that want to prepare themselves for social investment or winning contracts.
• We run training courses and consultancy about preparing for commissioning and developing consortia.
• We run a work shadow scheme, A Day in the Life, for workers from the public sector and voluntary sector swap places for a day.
• Get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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