Research into Suffolk and the VCFSE Sector

Community Action Suffolk (CAS) aims to undertake research into the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector in Suffolk. This is to ensure that the VCFSE sector in Suffolk has a voice in areas where we need to influence for the benefit of our communities, and to provide input into the development of the inclusive economic growth of Suffolk. 

State of the VCFSE Sector in Suffolk 2026

State of the VCFSE Sector in Suffolk 2025

State of the VCFSE Sector in Suffolk 2023

Community Action Suffolk launches Suffolk State of the Sector Report 2019

Posted on 16th June 2020

We are delighted this week to announce the launch of our report on the state of the VCSE sector here in Suffolk.

Our research captures our sector in Suffolk in the final few months of calm before the storm, offering insight into its strengths, weaknesses, challenges and risks. It paints a picture of a broad and complex sector, wrestling with its relationship with government, funding challenges, technological change and its own diversity and representativeness.

We hope that by understanding the trajectory the sector has been on over the past few years, funders, philanthropists and policymakers will be more able to understand what happens during the Covid-19 crisis and help VCSE organisations in Suffolk adapt to the new challenges they face, so they can keep serving the people who need them more than ever.

Early indications are that Covid-19 has fostered significant positive changes among our communities and charities.  We have seen increased local community responses along with charities demonstrating how they can support their communities, and continue to do so, as we move into the ‘new normal’.  The adaptation and flexibility being demonstrated by charities will be required to meet the demands and needs of society which are likely to continue to grow with widening health inequalities.  Our task going forward is to see how we can support these responses to keep people well.

Download the full report by clicking on the link below.

Suffolk Rural Services Survey 2022

Central to Community Action Suffolk’s core mission, is the desire to see all communities thrive, wherever they may be in the county of Suffolk.

Since the 1990s, we periodically conduct the Rural Services Survey – an invaluable resource in helping us to understand the changing landscape for rural communities, assisting us to identify what resources may be needed, and ultimately helping us to continue with an approach of ‘rural proofing’, such that residents feel fairly supported in every respect.

Conducted with the critical contribution of Parish and Town Councils, and the many Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Organisations across the county; the report enables us to truly understand the picture of their respective parishes.  With an 84% response rate, this year’s survey provides valuable insights into rural communities and allows us to follow trends drawn from previous surveys.

It is perhaps not at all surprising, given some of the significant global activities and pressures which have played out since our last survey in 2015, that the degree of change in some areas has been marked.

All the information you need to delve into the report can be found here: