Welcome to Voluntary Action Stoke-on-Trent
VAST is committed to supporting the development of Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCO’s) in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Since 1920, VAST has provided a voice for VCO’s and community groups. This work is all the more important in a changing political and economic landscape.
Our key aim is to develop, advance and promote the professional development and wellbeing of local VCO's. From our dedicated Board of Trustees to our front line team, we have the skills and experience to help VCO's compete and prosper in the 21st Century marketplace.
VAST advises its clients on a wide range of development initiatives and our advocacy will ensure our clients’ voices are heard at a strategic level, locally, regionally and nationally. In addition we offer a range of business support services, practical resources and accredited training.
Starting a new organisation or developing an existing one is never easy. VAST will partner with you to meet the challenges and opportunities of today’s Voluntary and Community Sectors.
Our Recent Achievements:
VAST Contribution to the Local Economy:
- Over £5.5m brought in over the past 3 years
- £2.25m in the past 12 months
- 49 jobs created directly
- 320 Jobs secured or created in the sector
- 205 Volunteers Placed
- At min wage rate that's a contribution of over £950,000
Support Provided:
- 52 new organisations set up
- 400 hours governance & structures support
- 7,560 hours development support
- 1173 hours advice on Funding
- Over 5000 information enquires dealt with
- 201 hours one-to-one business support.
Representation:
- 950 meetings facilitated
- Over 1,700 hours spent in Networking meetings
- Over 1,200 hours spent in Strategic meetings
- 120 Consultation Sessions facilitated
- 58 local and national consultation responses submitted on behalf of the sector.
Value for Money:
- Funding secured: £2.5M a return of 2,500%
- 8,934 hours support - £10.07 per hour only
- Over 5,000 information enquires dealt with
- Dudson Centre – Self Sufficient no public funding
- Successfully set up, developed and established Staffordshire Credit Union and the Staffordshire Community Foundation.
