Voluntary and Community Sector strategy

Tower Hamlets Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Strategy 2025–2029 was officially approved by Cabinet on 26 November 2025. This marks a major milestone in strengthening our partnership with the incredible VCS organisations that make Tower Hamlets such a vibrant and supportive borough.

Produced in partnership

Co-produced with local stakeholders, including VCS organisations, the new strategy sets out a shared vision:

To work together to foster a thriving, inclusive and sustainable sector that continues to improve the lives of our residents

The strategy focuses on four key objectives designed to empower and grow the sector:

build strong, trust-based relationships between the VCS and the council
collaborate effectively across the VCS, council and partners to meet community needs
strengthen capacity, resilience and voice of the VCS
support independence and long-term sustainability of the sector

A dedicated Delivery Group made up of key stakeholders will

oversee progress
monitor actions
ensure the strategy evolves to meet changing needs.

The delivery plan includes practical steps to turn these objectives into real impact for our communities.

Key deliverables

Key deliverables of the strategy will include:

introduction of a VCS Compact that sets out the values, principles and practices for effective partnership working between the VCS and the council
annual needs assessment of the borough’s VCS, to identify its strengths, challenges and priorities
joint work between LBTH and VCS to develop successor grants programmes for the VCS to follow the end of the current grants framework in 2027
Development of a borough-wide Capacity Building Plan with partners to provide service development support to the VCS
Introduction of a Volunteering Plan to promote and develop volunteering within VCS and statutory sector organisations.

Please contact mark.waterman@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information on the strategy and how to support its delivery.