Supporting, Promoting and Representing Southend’s Thriving Voluntary Sector

Proud to be Southend’s Council for Voluntary Services.

SAVS is an independent charity known as a council for voluntary service or CVS. We work behind the scenes to help local charities and community groups achieve their full potential.

We also run our own community based projects, all built on the foundation of supporting, empowering and celebrating the people of Southend.

Our Community Projects

Community News

  • Recycling Champions: Folk Like Us Collect Thousands of Blister Packs
  • Natwest Community Event
  • SAVS Formally Endorses the Southend City Vision
  • Celebrating 2 years of COPD Drop In’s and Stretch & Breathe
  • Big Sparks South East Central Launch
  • A Huddle of Colour and Creativity Takes Over Southend-on-Sea as Waddle-on-Sea Launches
  • Joseph Toomey Charitable Foundation Partners with SAVS
  • New ‘Stretch & Breathe’ Classes Launch at St David’s Church in Eastwood

Community Events

  • Cake Club Groups – Support and Solidarity for Parents

    On: 10 January, 2025

    Delivered by: Cake Club

  • Seated Yoga

    On: 20 January, 2025

    Delivered by: Hayley Zincraft

  • Stepping Stones Stroke Support Group

    On: 10 February, 2025

    Delivered by: Carol: 07722809609

  • The Jacqson Diego Young Writers Retreat

    On: 11 August, 2025

    Delivered by: Jacqson Diego Story Emporium

  • Garon Park Community Event

    On: 20 August, 2025

    Delivered by: Wellbeing at Garon Park

Training & Workshops

  • Level 1 Introductory Trauma Informed Practice Training

    On:

    Delivered by: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

  • Permaculture Design Course with Graham Burnett: Full Permaculture Design Course (10 Days)

    On: 22 June, 2025

    Delivered by: Trust Links

  • Reducing Parental Conflict

    On: 11 September, 2025

    Delivered by: Southend City Council

  • 4 Day Edge Moving and Handling

    On: 30 September, 2025

    Delivered by: Southend City Council

  • Evening Workshop with Helen Watts – Anxiety and Self-Harm, Little Heroes ASD Support Group

    On: 2 October, 2025

    Delivered by: Little Heroes ASD Support Group

Community Support Directory

Useful contacts to support your organisation and service users.

SAVS Networking Brunches

Meet other organisations from the Voluntary Sector every other month at SAVS.

Hosted Community Funding

View funding currently hosted by SAVS and available to Southend organisations.

Affordable Room Hire at SAVS

Affordable, accessible meeting space in central Southend.

SAVS News

  • Recycling Champions: Folk Like Us Collect Thousands of Blister Packs
  • A Better Start Southend – Stories of Impact and Farewell
  • Natwest Community Event
  • SAVS Formally Endorses the Southend City Vision

SAVS Training & Events

  • Grants Training

    On: 19 August, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • SAVS Networking Brunch

    On: 26 August, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • Online Briefing: The Southend New Local Plan Preferred Approach with Options – Session One

    On: 1 September, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS & Southend City Council

  • Introduction to Fundraising

    On: 10 September, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • An introduction to the Families First Partnership Programme

    On: 22 September, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS & Southend City Council

  • Online Briefing: The Southend New Local Plan Preferred Approach with Options – Session Two

    On: 23 September, 2025

    Delivered by: SAVS & Southend City Council

SAVS Lunchinars Logo

FREE bite-sized learning to boost your skills and knowledge!

SAVS Lunchinars Graphic
  • A Guide to Personality Types Lunchinar

    On: 11 August, 2025

    At: 12:00 pm

  • Learn how to Manage Change Lunchinar

    On: 15 September, 2025

    At: 12:00 pm

  • How to Thrive through Change with Tools & Techniques Lunchinar

    On: 13 October, 2025

    At: 12:00 pm

  • A Guide to Critical Incident Planning & Martyn’s Law Lunchinar

    On: 16 October, 2025

    At: 12:00 pm

Community Information

  • Support for Local Plan Consultation
  • Shoebury Matters – July 2025 Newsletter
  • A Better Start Southend – Stories of Impact and Farewell
  • Unrestricted Funding from Supermarkets
  • Just Bin It
  • Hearing Help Essex – Southend Hearing Aid Support Sessions
  • Kick start your health career
  • Find out how to get the care you need – quicker

Opportunities to Get Involved

  • Walk 2K This September to Help Struggling Families in Essex Every Step Makes a Difference
  • Commercial Insurance Discounts for SAVS Members
  • Local Hospice Charity Asks Supporters to Help Shape Its Future 
  • Free Marketing Webinars for SAVS Members
  • Hospice Charity Calls for London Marathon Ballot Place Runners to Join ‘Team Havens’
  • Free Community Support for Groups and Leaders
  • Picture This – Community stories through your lens
  • Free Activities for your Family from Southend Beaches are now Live!

Sector Jobs

Funding Opportunities

  • Youth Advocacy Fund Opens to Support LGBT+ Young People

    Funding Available: £10000 - £50000

    Closing Date: 27 August, 2025

  • Baily Thomas Grants for Projects Supporting those With Severe Learning Difficulties

    Funding Available: Various

    Closing Date: 1 December, 2025

  • Edgar E. Lawley Foundation Announces Launch of its 2025–26 Grants Programme

    Funding Available: Up to £2000

    Closing Date: 31 October, 2025

  • Million Hours Fund Phase 3 Funding for Youth Work Projects (Specified Council Wards Only)

    Funding Available: Various

    Closing Date: 22 October, 2025

  • Sylvia Waddilove Foundation Grants Open

    Funding Available: Up to £5,000

    Closing Date: 22 August, 2025

  • Woodroffe Benton Small Grants Up to £2,500 Open for applications

    Funding Available: Up to £2500

    Closing Date: 31 August, 2025

  • Grants up to £7,500 to tackle loneliness among older adults

    Funding Available: Up to £7500

    Closing Date: 29 August, 2025

  • New Funding for Community-Based Home Support Services for Families with Young Children

    Funding Available: Up to £50000

    Closing Date: 28 August, 2025

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