Measuring the size and scope of the of the voluntary and community sector in the Liverpool City Region

The questions we wanted to answer How many VCS organisations are there? How many people are employed in the sector? What economic contribution does the sector make? What roles do VCS organisations undertake?

How many VCS organisations are there in the Liverpool City Region? 8,638 VCS organisations 3,102 registered 5,536 ‘below the radar’

VCS distribution across the city region

How many people are employed in the sector? 24,196 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees Exceeds 4 of LEPs 7 targeted growth sectors. SectorEmployment Low Carbon43,000 SuperPort23,000 Digital & Creative17,000 Advanced Manufacturing 16,000 Life Sciences3,000 Financial & Professional Services 90,000 Visitor Economy49,000 Voluntary sector24,000

What economic contribution does the sector make? £917.9m, or 3.7% of the City-Region’s total GVA (2011 £) Exceeds that of 4 of the 7 growth sectors targeted by the City Region’s LEP SectorGVA (in 2010 prices for comparison) Low Carbon1,632 SuperPort779 Digital & Creative858 Advanced Manufacturing 761 Life Sciences170 Financial & Professional Services 5,400 Visitor Economy1,062 Voluntary sector879

Voluntary Sector GVA distribution across the city region

What is the economic contribution of volunteering? Volunteering – an economic & social ‘hidden jewel’ according to Bank of England Chief Economist Volunteering in Liverpool City Region has a GVA of £551m Staff and volunteers working in the sector contribute some £1.5 billion worth of GVA to the city region economy

What does the sector do? Compared to national, Liverpool City Region has proportionally more VCS organisations fulfilling the following roles:  Delivery of public services – 34% of organisations  Community development and mutual aid – 31% of organisations  Emotional support/befriending services –26% of organisations  Providing advice to individuals – 27% of organisations  Advocacy, campaigning, representation, information and research – 21% of organisations  Providing staff and volunteers – 22% of organisations  Help for people to access services and benefits – 20% of organisations  Capacity building – 15% of organisations