About

is a promotional marketing project which has been developed to market the value and great work of the third sector to businesses and public sector organisations in South Yorkshire.

The project provides valuable resources for individual voluntary organisations.

seeks to help organisations in the public and private sector engage more effectively with voluntary and community organisations.

The voluntary and community sector, often referred to as the third sector, is a diverse and vibrant part of the local economy. The third sector helps to not only provide training and skills to individuals, but in many cases ensures that much needed services are effectively delivered throughout the region.This site has been designed to help provide the third sector with the vital skills needed to successfully deliver services within the commercial arena, as well as helping businesses and public sector bodies identify potential partners.

It has been developed by South Yorkshire Open Forum, to help promote the valuable work undertaken within the region.

South Yorkshire's voluntary and community sector

There are around 6000 voluntary organisations and community groups in South Yorkshire. It's a diverse sector which operates in many areas and has a big impact on many people's lives.

What does the third sector do?

education, research and training

welfare and social care

childcare, play and youth work

health

specialist areas of work including:

environment

conservation

economic and community development

regeneration

community safety

housing or homelessness

It is hard to describe the contribution of the VCS in South Yorkshire, but we can say that it contributes an estimated £843m to South Yorkshire's economy.

An incredible 17 million people around South Yorkshire use services provided by the VCS each year. Some groups work with all members of their community; about a third with older people; and two thirds with children and young adults.