National Support: NAVCA (National Association
for Voluntary & Community Action)
NAVCA is the national membership body for local infrastructure organisations — often known as Councils for Voluntary Service or Volunteer Centres. Established in 1991, it represents nearly 200 local bodies that collectively support more than 165,000 charities and community groups across England.
🎯 Core Mission & Focus Areas
NAVCA ensures every area has access to strong, high-quality VCSE (Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise) support through four key functions:
- Leadership & Advocacy: Representing the VCSE sector in strategic forums and shaping national policy.
- Partnerships & Collaboration: Building networks and consortia to strengthen coordination and joint work.
- Capacity Building: Delivering training, funding guidance, and best practice to help local organisations thrive.
- Volunteering: Promoting and supporting volunteer recruitment and management across communities.
⭐️ Making an Impact
NAVCA hosts national events, including its Annual Conference, and publishes research and policy briefings to inform decision-making.
It also offers accreditation schemes (LIQA and VCQA) to maintain sector standards and is developing a new dashboard to help members measure and showcase their local impact.
🤝 Why NAVCA Matters for Newham
Through NAVCA, Newham’s local partners gain access to:
- National-level advocacy and policy insights
- Training and professional accreditation
- Peer collaboration through a nationwide network
- Tools to evidence impact and secure funding
📢 Get Involved
Connect. Collaborate. Strengthen your impact.
Join NAVCA’s growing network to access tailored support, resources, and
a collective voice that shapes the future of local voluntary action.