Voluntary report

Entitled Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Epping Forest, the Government-funded report is based on the views and responses of more than 250 voluntary and community groups working or based in the district.

The mapping project has established for the first time the size, scope, capacity, income and contribution made to the economy of the voluntary and community groups in our district.

Some of the key findings from the research shows that voluntary input into the district is worth around £1.3m a year while 42 per cent of local groups operate on an annual income of less than £5,000.

There are an estimated 5,000 volunteer hours given each week to local groups, and this increases to 15,000 when combined with hours spent by informal carers.

The report also shows 31 per cent of groups have seen funding drop in the last year.

Voluntary Action Epping Forest chief officer Sally Hassan said: "It's the first time we have been able to establish just how important the Voluntary and Community Sector and Volunteers are to Epping Forest. This is evidence that working together we need to continue to support voluntary and community groups to continue their valuable work."

The report is available from Voluntary Action Epping Forest on 01992 564178.

VOLUNTARY Action Epping Forest has launched a research report looking at the contribution voluntary organisations make to Epping Forest.

Entitled Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Epping Forest, the Government-funded report is based on the views and responses of more than 250 voluntary and community groups working or based in the district.

The mapping project has established for the first time the size, scope, capacity, income and contribution made to the economy of the voluntary and community groups in our district.

Some of the key findings from the research shows that voluntary input into the district is worth around £1.3m a year while 42 per cent of local groups operate on an annual income of less than £5,000.