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

  • Aspirations Day Program Secures National Lottery Community Funding
  • HARP Receives Landmark High Street Building for £1 in Generous Donation from Local Man
  • Youth Independent Advisory Group
  • Shoebury Matters Newsletter: January 2026
  • Staff and volunteers congratulated for their work
  • Essex community groups given Happy New Year with £1m funding boost from PFCC
  • SAVS Launches Digital Skills Support for Over 50s in Southend
  • Pioneering Project to Launch First National Palliative Care Register for Children

Community Events

  • Trust Links Yoga and Wellbeing for 17-25 year olds

    On: 8 January, 2026

    Delivered by: Trust Links

  • Cake and Computer Confidence

    On: 5 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • National HIV Testing Week 2026

    On: 9 February, 2026

    Delivered by: Brook

  • Valentines Curry Night Fundraiser

    On: 10 February, 2026

    Delivered by: Aspirations Day Program

  • National HIV Testing Week: HIV and STI Testing Drop-in

    On: 10 February, 2026

    Delivered by: Brook Southend

Training & Workshops

  • Milton Community Workshops

    On: 17 February, 2026

    Delivered by: Trust Links Eco Days

  • Group Dynamics and Facilitation Online Workshop

    On: 26 February, 2026

    Delivered by: The Peer Partnership

  • Recognising and Responding to Challenging Behaviour Online Workshop

    On: 3 March, 2026

    Delivered by: The Peer Partnership

  • Strengthening Resilience – thriving in the VCSE workplace online training workshop

    On: 5 March, 2026

    Delivered by: The Peer Partnership

  • Co-Creation of Support Services: Planning and Implementation online training workshop

    On: 10 March, 2026

    Delivered by: The Peer Partnership

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

  • Youth Independent Advisory Group
  • SAVS Launches Digital Skills Support for Over 50s in Southend
  • Festive Connections: Folk Like Us Annual Connect Event 2025
  • Festive Friday at Hamlet Court Road

SAVS Training & Events

  • An Introduction to Pride in Shoeburyness – Afternoon Session

    On: 11 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS & Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East & Rochford

  • SAVS Networking Brunch

    On: 12 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • An Introduction to Pride in Shoeburyness – Evening Session

    On: 16 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS & Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East & Rochford

  • SAVS Digital Clinic – Day One

    On: 17 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

  • County Lines & Cuckooing Training

    On: 18 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS & Essex Police

  • SAVS Digital Clinic – Day Two

    On: 20 February, 2026

    Delivered by: SAVS

SAVS Lunchinars Logo

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

SAVS Lunchinars Graphic
  • Weaving Trust Across Difference & Dialling Down the Polarisation

    On: 10 February, 2026

    At: 12:00 pm

  • Storytelling that Inspires Giving

    On: 26 February, 2026

    At: 12:00 pm

  • Making the Most of Google for Charities

    On: 31 March, 2026

    At: 12:00 pm

  • Measuring Impact and Reporting Success

    On: 29 April, 2026

    At: 12:00 pm

Community Information

  • SAVS Community Builders Newsletter February 2026
  • CASSS January Newsletter
  • Migrant Help UK
  • “Let’s Talk About It”- HIV Prevention Project
  • Request an urgent dental appointment if you are in pain
  • St Vincent’s Centre, Southend: December 2025 Newsletter
  • The Aspirations Day Program Women’s Service
  • The travel companies offering unrestricted funding

Opportunities to Get Involved

  • New Joint Initiative Launches Across East of England to Create a Tobacco-Free Future
  • £700k of unrestricted funding in 12 months
  • Get Involved in Shoeburyness
  • Your voice matters: share your experience of mental health services
  • Send us your Corporate Volunteering Opportunities
  • SAVS Updated Membership Package
  • Commercial Insurance Discounts for SAVS Members
  • Free Community Support for Groups and Leaders

Funding Opportunities

  • Gambling Harms Treatment VCSE Grant Fund

    Funding Available: Various

    Closing Date: 20 February, 2026

  • Government DCMS Funding to Transform Creative Careers Guidance for Young People

    Funding Available: Various

    Closing Date: 16 February, 2026

  • Grants up to £15,000 Available for Holiday Activity Programmes Supporting Autistic Children

    Funding Available: Up to £15000

    Closing Date: 13 February, 2026

  • Armed Forces Day 2026 Funding

    Funding Available: Up to £10000

    Closing Date: 30 April, 2026

  • Cherry Family Foundation Stage 1 Applications Open Until 10th Feb

    Funding Available: Up to £50000,Various

    Closing Date: 10 February, 2026

  • Access Foundation Digital Divide Grants of £15,000 to £50,000 Tackling Digital Exclusion

    Funding Available: Up to £50000

    Closing Date:

  • KFC Youth Foundation Accepting Applications

    Funding Available: Up to £3,000

    Closing Date: 27 February, 2026

  • King Charles III Small Grants Up to £9,000 – Social Inclusion and Health & Wellbeing Projects

    Funding Available: Up to £9000

    Closing Date: 11 February, 2026

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