On 26th January, the Greater Manchester VCSE State of the Sector 2026 survey opens. 

It is an important opportunity for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) groups and organisations across Salford and Greater Manchester to explain what is happening on the ground. The findings will be used to influence public bodies, funders and commissioners, so it is vital that they understand the reality of the sector’s work, pressures and impact.

"Your work matters and we want to make sure it's seen, heard and celebrated. When you respond to this survey, you help show the real impact our sector makes. You help build evidence that demonstrates what communities need and what can be achieved. You make sure your voice – and the voices of the people you support – helps to shape decisions across Greater Manchester. The stronger our evidence, the better we can all advocate for our sector and support the case for funding and working with us." Salford CVS

Previous results

The last State of the Sector report was published in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, many organisations had to change their purpose, adapt their services and find new ways of working at speed. The 2021 report showed how COVID-19, Brexit and wider inequalities forced organisations to rethink what they did and how they did it. 

Since then, things have not become easier. The cost‑of‑living crisis has created huge pressure, with almost half of VCSE organisations nationally drawing on their financial reserves to stay afloat. Rising costs, reduced income and increased demand for help have made survival difficult for many VCSE groups and organisations. 

Vital for advocacy

In Salford, the State of the Sector survey has been vital to our advocacy at Salford CVS for investment in the VCSE sector. Since 2021, we have continued to manage our flagship Third Sector Fund on behalf of NHS GM ICB (Salford) despite ongoing NHS pressures. 

In addition, we have secured grant and programme funding to VCSE sector, examples include:

• UKSPF E6 / Salford Council / GMCA - Arts and Culture Grants
• Greater Sport – GM Moving (Walking and Wheeling grants)
• 10GM Cancer Inequalities Grants
• Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation Trust – Elevate Salford Employability programme

However, these strengths are at risk if funders and decision-makers do not have an accurate understanding of the challenges faced by VCSE groups and organisations. Many are experiencing funding cuts despite increased demand for their services, due to the lasting impacts of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis on their service users. Without proper evidence, these issues can be ignored.

Evidence

The 2026 survey will update the picture and provide evidence that can influence where investment goes and how support is offered. It will help show the value of the VCSE sector, highlight the pressures it faces, and ensure the work you do is understood and recognised.

Your input

By completing the survey, you ensure your group or organisation’s reality is included. Your knowledge and experience help build a stronger case for better support, fairer funding and more informed local decisions. Taking part is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help shape a better future for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester.

For more information on the survey see our State of the Sector page

Any questions please contact Joe Kendal

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The best part about my role as the Programme Manager for the Answer Cancer Programme is meeting our Cancer Champions. 

Cancer Champions are people from all walks of life, from many different backgrounds and of all different ages who have vital conversations that save lives. 

Anyone can be a Cancer Champion 

Our Cancer Champions are hugely important to the aims of Answer Cancer in raising awareness of cancer, promoting the importance of screening and challenging health inequalities.

Answer Cancer work with diverse communities across Greater Manchester and our Champions are the people who carry these important messages into the hearts of their groups, neighbourhoods, families, friends and workplaces. Champions are the people who know how best to hold these conversations, the language to use and how to ensure the message is delivered sensitively and 

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in a way that makes sense to the listener. This is because Champions are part of the communities that they are talking to, they understand the people in their groups and workplaces and know best how to start a conversation. 

Currently, Answer Cancer have nearly two thousand Cancer Champions across Greater Manchester who are working hard to help people understand how screening can detect cancer at an early stage and save lives one conversation at a time. Our Champions activities range from talking to family and friends, or work colleagues, to those who are getting involved in public speaking and putting on events and information sessions. All of our Champions are fulfilling their role using their talents how they feel most comfortable in multiple different ways from one-to-one conversations through to singing in choirs, performing and producing art. 

The great strength of our Champions is that many of them have lived experience of cancer, either as people who are living with it, as carers and as family and friends of people with cancer. Their lived experience and stories of cancer journeys told peer to peer are a fantastic social movement that is promoting the importance of screening through these important conversations. 

Training

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The Answer Cancer Programme supports our Champions by providing free training to give them accurate information and the confidence talk about cancer and screening, as well as providing regular newsletters to keep everyone updated on new developments and events. As part of this, we hold a regular celebration of the achievements of our Champions where we get to meet each other, hear about everyone’s work and listen to their stories. These events are a truly joyous celebration of the vital work of our Cancer Champions and the difference that their thousands of conversations are making to raising awareness of how to detect cancer early and save lives in their communities. 

Catching cancer early is vital and our wonderful Cancer Champions are saving lives, one conversation at a time. 

If you want to become a Cancer Champion and find out more about our next celebration event, please visit our website at Home - Answer Cancer where you can find out more about what we are doing and find out how to register.