South Yorkshire's voluntary sector contributes £700 million to health and care services

Ahead of the NHS' 75th birthday next Thursday, South Yorkshire Integrated Partnership marked the role of the voluntary sector by launching the paper – highlighting how it had remained “a valued partner” in service delivery over the decades.

“Local Health and Wellbeing – the Contributions of the VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) Sector in Yorkshire and Humber” was produced by Prof Tony Chapman from Durham University and found the total “financial value” from the sector in South Yorkshire in 2022 stood at £698 million.

The report revealed there were 6,600 VCSE organisations and 16,000 employees and 63,000 regular volunteers in the region. Between them, workers and volunteers produced 4.5 million hours of work valued at between £45 million and £63 million.

The report outlines how the sector provides a “lifeline” to people and communities at a grassroots level, with nearly a third of groups and organisations working in the poorest areas and reaching people who may not be accessing other health and care services in South Yorkshire.

Shafiq Hussain (pictured), chief executive of Voluntary Action Rotherham and chair of South Yorkshire VCSE Alliance, said the research highlighted the strength of the “vibrant and diverse” sector which delivers “huge benefits”.