A workforce mapping research project conducted in partnership between NHS Humber and North Yorkshire (HNY) Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the University of York has shed light on the scale, strengths and challenges of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector across Humber and North Yorkshire.
A total of 335 organisations participated, providing an overview of their organisational status, workforce capacity, financial resilience, operational challenges, and expectations for the future.
Key findings from the report, include:
- Our VCSE sector is highly diverse and delivers a broad range of services to varied groups with a dominant focus on improving personal and community health and wellbeing. However, there is a striking differences between organisations depending on their size, purpose and funding models.
- Strong partnership working is evident across the sector, yet it is increasingly vulnerable to competitive funding environments, reinforcing the need for collaborative, long term approaches to support and investment.
- There is clear evidence that the sector can support HNY ICB to deliver on the NHS 10 Year Plan, highlighting how a strong and sustainable VCSE workforce underpins the delivery of its three ‘big shifts’ through prevention, community‑based care and integration.
The findings are already being used as part of the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) People Story Dashboard, an innovative tool, designed to bridge the gap between population health, demand for services and the workforce needed to deliver care. The report is also featured in the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s Insight Bank to inform other areas of work across our health and care system.
Gary Sainty, Head of VCSE, Humber and North Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), commented:
“The findings show a sector driven by purpose and commitment to community wellbeing, yet one facing significant pressures linked to job security, short term funding, workforce development, and cross sector communication. We hope that the recommendations from the report will provide guidance and support to further strengthen the sector for the future.”
Dr Elizabeth Cookingham Bailey, Principal Investigator, School for Business and Society, University of York stated: “Our collaboration with the ICB and VCSE collaborative demonstrates the importance of critical academic research in providing a robust, independent evidence base for policy action. By applying rigorous analysis to the sector’s complexities, the research identifies the structural challenges and unique strengths that define this diverse workforce. We hope these evidence-based insights foster the sustainable, collaborative investment needed to secure the sector’s future.”
Alison Semmence, Chair, Humber and North Yorkshire VCSE Collaborative, said:
“The VCSE Workforce Mapping Project provides a detailed and nuanced picture of a sector that is deeply committed to serving communities yet constrained by funding instability and structural challenges. Its insights present a strong foundation for future collaboration, investment and strategic planning – ensuring the sector can continue to deliver vital services and support resilient communities across Humber and North Yorkshire.”