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.

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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