About us - Voluntary Sector North West

Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) is a membership organisation that connects to the region’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector through infrastructure organisations, equalities networks and large regional and national providers.

Through local infrastructure organisations and equalities networks we look to support grassroots community organisations that constitute the vast majority of the 50,000 plus groups working in the North West.

Core to our work are our partners and members. We have a membership of over 181 full members and 89 associates who support and engage with VSNW and our mission.

The VSNW mission

To work together to enable the VCFSE sector to positively shape the future of the North West.
Through the strengths of the VCFSE sector, put communities in charge of driving change.
- Making connections
- Being ingenious
- Creating change
- Adding value
- Challenging inequality

The strategic plan

For more information on our values and how they are reflected in our strategic priorities, please read our VSNW Strategic Plan 2025-2030.

To find out about our Governance, please read our Memorandum & Articles of Association.

You can also view our latest Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025.

VSNW Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030

Our work

Our activity to support the sector in the North West is currently focused on five areas: devolution, health creation, employment and skills and fairer funding. In addition, we offer expert advice through our consultancy work. We also aim to relatively represent each sub-region across the North West. We facilitate key partnerships working in the subregions wherever and whenever we can. This includes VS6 operating across Liverpool City Region, the emerging Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE health and wellbeing Leadership group and the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group.

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Consultancy

Decades of experience working with both the public and voluntary sector in the North West means we are able to offer expert support to organisations. Whether it is independent research, facilitating conversations, or impartial advice, we are well placed to help. Our network of associates, from the North West and wider, means we can bring in a range of expertise to suit the project. For a chat, or if you’d like to know more about our consultancy work, please contact us.

Contact us

Become a member - it’s free!

VSNW exists for its members. We prioritise our members when we consult the sector to gain a better understanding of its needs, and determine how we can best support its activities.

Become a member

Benefits of becoming a VSNW member:

Access to networking and collaboration opportunities.
Influence in regional and national decision-making processes.
Training, webinars, and resources to strengthen VCFSE operations.
Our relationships with VCFSE sector leadership groups and local government bodies provides access to important networks and decision-makers at regional level.

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VSNW is a registered charity (Charity no. 1081654) and a company limited by guarantee (registered in England no. 3988903) with the registered office at St Thomas Centre, St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ