At SAVS (Southend Association of Voluntary Services), we are proud to support the vibrant and vital Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Southend. As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusivity, collaboration and growth, we have recently reviewed and refreshed our membership offering with the introduction of a ‘Associates members’ option.

The SAVS Associate Membership has been created to provide a route for statutory organisations, businesses, and other non-charitable bodies to connect with, support and benefit from the services and networks that SAVS offers.

We now offer two membership categories:

• Full Membership – Open to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations. This membership remains free and includes access to a wide range of tailored services, support, networking events and resources to help local organisations thrive.
• Associate Membership – Designed specifically for businesses, statutory bodies and other organisations not structured as charities, but who still want to engage with the local sector, contribute to social value efforts, and collaborate with community partners.

There is growing momentum around our work on social value — ensuring that public and private investment benefits local communities and contributes to long-term positive change. By creating a pathway for businesses and wider organisations to join us as Associate Members, we’re opening doors for greater cross-sector collaboration, encouraging more investment into the local VCFSE sector, and creating a space for shared learning and partnership.

Whether you’re a local business looking to give back, or a public sector body wanting to work more closely with community organisations, our new Associate Membership allows you to become an active part of this important movement.

Our membership is stronger than ever, with approximately 500 organisations already benefiting from being part of the SAVS community. Members enjoy access to tailored support, promotional opportunities, networking events, sector updates and much more.

We believe that by growing and diversifying our membership, we’re helping to build a more connected, resilient and impactful local community.

Learn more about the benefits SAVS Membership by visiting:

www.savs-southend.org/savs-membership/