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

Southend Supports Breastfeeding

Empowering #YourFeedingJourney

Southend’s Parent Voice

The glue that is needed for all great conversations

HomeSafe SOS

Supporting residents during their Hospital Discharge journey.

Southend Volunteer Hub

Sharing opportunities to enable local stars to shine in the city of Southend.

Turning Tides Youth Clubs

Supporting 8-12 year olds living in Central Southend.

Supported Volunteering

Improving Mental Health through volunteering.

Social Prescribing

Supporting the residents of Southend.

Folk Like Us

Breaking loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

Community Builders

Connecting people, groups and organisations in Southend-on-Sea.

Latest Funding News
Ann Rylands Small Donations – Grants up to £5,000 for Smaller UK Charities Providing Health and Care Services
Cash4Clubs UK Grants up to £2,000 – Applications Open Until 1st January 2027
Ford Britain Grants Programme – Up to £3,000 for Community & Education Projects
Wildlife Trusts Grants up to £25,000 for Community Led Nature Projects
National Garden Scheme Community Garden Grants 2027 up to £5,000
Sea-Changers Grants – Small (Up to £500) & Main Grants (£500 up to £2,500)
Wembley Stadium Targeted Fund up to £25,000 per year for 2 years to Improve Young People’s Access to Sport and the Arts
Genius Within – Blooming Genius Grants up to £2,000 to Support Neurodivergent Children and Their Families

Community News

  • Community Builder Good News Story – 1st City Connectors Networking Meeting
  • GBE Community Fund Opens for Applications from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Shoeburyness Pride in Place: Keep up to date!
  • Community Builder Good News Story- Free Bus Travel for Children
  • CASSS Newsletter – September 2026
  • Community Builders Newsletter – September Edition
  • More Than a Venue: Southend Social Enterprise Creating a Place for Families to Connect, Play and Belong
  • SAVE THE DATE: Anke’s Fundraiser for SAFE Essex

Community Events

  • EBRA AUTUMN FAYRE

    On: 10 October, 2025

    Delivered by: East Beach Residents Association

  • Warm Wednesdays (Every Wednesday until 31st December 2026)

    On: 15 July, 2026

    Delivered by: SEND the Right Message Charity

  • Inclusive Bouldering 6 – 11 years old (Weekly)

    On: 9 September, 2026

    Delivered by: SEND The Right Message

  • Inclusive Bouldering 12 – 17 year olds (Weekly) – Send the Right Message

    On: 9 September, 2026

    Delivered by: SEND The Right Message

  • Charity Anniversary Event- Boxers wanted!

    On: 21 September, 2026

    Delivered by: South East and Central Essex Mind

Training & Workshops

  • Little Heroes ASD Support Group – SENDIASS Workshop

    On: 15 October, 2026

    Delivered by: Little Heroes ASD Support Group

  • Spotting the Signs of Poor Mental Health Training

    On: 21 October, 2026

    Delivered by: Indirock & Mind

  • Strategic Grants Fundraising Training

    On: 6 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • Free Digital Skills Sessions for Over 55s

    On: 14 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • Communicating your Impact Training

    On: 8 December, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

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

  • Community Builder Good News Story – 1st City Connectors Networking Meeting
  • Community Builder Good News Story- Free Bus Travel for Children
  • Community Builder Good News Story: Feel Good Festival
  • Community Builders Newsletter August 2026

SAVS Training & Events

  • Strategic Grants Fundraising Training

    On: 6 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • Free Digital Skills Sessions for Over 55s

    On: 14 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • SAVS Networking Brunch

    On: 15 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • SAVS Community Screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing

    On: 15 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • SAVS Community Screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing

    On: 18 October, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • Communicating your Impact Training

    On: 8 December, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

SAVS Lunchinars Logo

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

SAVS Lunchinars Graphic
  • How to Help your Child Flourish in Learning

    On: 16 October, 2026

    At: 12:00 pm

Community Information

  • Make the Right Call First Time – Cadent
  • Stoptober – Everyone Health
  • Boulder about Mental Health: a new partnership with Mind
  • Shoeburyness Pride in Place: Keep up to date!
  • Free Data Protection Training from the ICO
  • Funding opportunity: £1000 unrestricted grant – easyfundraising
  • Super Bodies: helping babies and children stay well this winter
  • St Vincent Centre Southend’s August Monthly Newsletter

Opportunities to Get Involved

  • Stoptober – Everyone Health
  • Share your experience of Patient Transport – NHS
  • Help shape a new health and work support service in Essex
  • Join a Friendly Group of French Speakers at the Southend French Circle
  • Match of the Dames – Shrimpers Trust
  • Ovarian Cancer Symptom Engagement Survey
  • Free Cold Water Dips & Water Safety Workshops Return for 2026!
  • Changing the future of genetic health, together

Sector Jobs

Funding Opportunities

  • Ann Rylands Small Donations – Grants up to £5,000 for Smaller UK Charities Providing Health and Care Services

    Funding Available: £1,000 - £5,000,Up to £1,500,Up to £2000,Up to £3,000,Up to £5,000,Various

    Closing Date:

  • Cash4Clubs UK Grants up to £2,000 – Applications Open Until 1st January 2027

    Funding Available: Up to £2000

    Closing Date: 1 January, 2027

  • Ford Britain Grants Programme – Up to £3,000 for Community & Education Projects

    Funding Available: Up to £3,000,Various

    Closing Date: 30 November, 2026

  • Wildlife Trusts Grants up to £25,000 for Community Led Nature Projects

    Funding Available: £15000 to £25000,Up to £15000,Various

    Closing Date: 21 October, 2026

  • National Garden Scheme Community Garden Grants 2027 up to £5,000

    Funding Available: £1,000 - £5,000

    Closing Date: 30 October, 2026

  • Sea-Changers Grants – Small (Up to £500) & Main Grants (£500 up to £2,500)

    Funding Available: Up to £2500,Up to £500

    Closing Date: 30 September, 2026

  • Wembley Stadium Targeted Fund up to £25,000 per year for 2 years to Improve Young People’s Access to Sport and the Arts

    Funding Available: £15000 to £25000,10000 - 50000,Up to £20000,Up to £50000,Various

    Closing Date:

  • Genius Within – Blooming Genius Grants up to £2,000 to Support Neurodivergent Children and Their Families

    Funding Available: Up to £2000,Various

    Closing Date: 24 October, 2026

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