Caveat: things are changing so fast, that some of this may be out of date by the time it is published…
The statutory sector is currently going through a huge amount of change (certainly in Devon). Redundancies in many organisations, changes to local government boundaries, and changes to NHS structures and priorities. The following links give information on just some of the changes (some of these are Devon centred – if you are based elsewhere, there will be similar changes).
· Government confirms four unitary model for local government reorganisation in Devon – News
· NHS England — South West » How the NHS structure in the South West is changing
· One Plan for Devon – One Devon
· NHS England » Next steps on neighbourhood health and new delivery models
But what does this mean for the VCSE sector? There are definitely threats – particularly for larger organisations delivering contracts for existing local authorities. Other organisations may need to for example, change their delivery area eg if you deliver in Exeter then your area will potentially be expanding; if you deliver in ‘Mid Devon’ then your area won’t exist. If you are funded by existing local authorities, then that too will be changing.
Another threat is that all of the statutory organisations will be inwardly focused. Individuals within them will be wondering whether they have a job; worried about colleagues; and getting to grips with all of the changes. Relationships that have been built with key individuals in health or local government may well be gone; and there may not be the time to develop new relationships amidst the multiple changes.
Most importantly, there is a danger that more people will be ‘falling through the gaps’, and that pressure on the VCSE organisations to deliver more (with no further resource) will increase again.
There will also be opportunities too. There will be gaps opening up, new funding opportunities and a chance to build new relationships and do things differently.
For many small VCSE organisations, none of the changes to statutory organisations will actually make any difference. The huge value of the smaller grassroots arm of the sector is that it tends to keep going despite what is happening in the wider world. The local village hall will still be running its coffee mornings & exercise group; the parent & toddler group will keep going; as will the peer support groups etc.
The challenge for now, is to be open to new opportunities, to keep an eye out for the people being let down by the ‘system’ and to build on what is currently being done – the VCSE is (unusually) currently the most stable element in the system, despite continuing challenges in accessing funding.
Next steps:
· Find out more about the changing landscape and how it is likely to impact your organisation and your clients
· Make sure that Trustees / Directors are assessing risks; and that managers are doing the same
· Make a plan to manage the impact of the changes; and to spot and take-up any opportunities available
PS
If you’re in Northern Devon, then this event might be worth attending:
VCSE Awareness Event – Local Government, NHS & Mental Health Initiatives
Wednesday 16 September 2026 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vcse-awareness-event-local-government-nhs-mental-health-initiatives-tickets-1996996402999?aff=oddtdtcreator