Published: 15.02.08

Brighton and Hove has more than 1,400 community and voluntary organisations, with over 8,000 people volunteering, providing an equivalent in kind wage of just under £18m per year. These organisations bring over £20m additional funds into the city, but these figures are from 2003.

The university has been commissioned to update these figures and carry out an audit of the economic and social impact of the voluntary sector in Brighton and Hove. The project aims to collect information about the size, importance and value of the community sector to the city.

A team from the university will be contacting voluntary groups across Brighton and Hove to collect data on the scale of the voluntary sector, looking at the income they receive and numbers of volunteers that are working at the organisations. The information will help highlight the value of the voluntary sector and will enable groups to gain funding and support.

Project manager, Jen Colwell said: "Volunteers and voluntary organisations play a vital role in ensuring that we all live in a strong and cohesive society. However, in order to carry out this role effectively the voluntary sector needs to be properly resourced. It is only by finding out the real economic and social value of the sector that the case can be made for funding these organisations."

Voluntary groups will also be encouraged to complete an online questionnaire. This can be accessed at: http://takingaccount.cvsectorforum.org.uk/. To request a paper copy of the survey please call Jen Colwell: 01273 64450.