The first set of results from the Third Sector Trends 2025 study has been released by Professor Tony Chapman of Durham University. This long-running national research project provides valuable insight into how voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are working together, building relationships and influencing public policy across England and Wales.
The 2025 survey received 8,680 responses, offering a robust picture of how collaboration, partnership and independence are evolving within the sector.
Key findings show that:
- Fewer organisations are engaging in public sector contracts, with participation among larger organisations falling from 64% in 2019 to 50% in 2025, largely due to financial pressures and low contract values.
- Business support for the sector has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. While 33% of organisations now receive financial support from business, this remains below 2016 levels.
- Collaborative working within the voluntary sector remains strong, though more selective. Informal partnerships are common (72% of organisations), but formal collaborations have dropped from 34% in 2022 to 28% in 2025.
- The sector continues to play an active role in influencing policy, with nearly half of organisations engaging in campaigning or lobbying.
Despite the challenges, the report highlights the sector’s continued resilience, adaptability and commitment to community impact.
Professor Chapman notes that while partnership working has become more targeted, its quality remains high — reflecting a sector that is realistic about capacity yet still deeply collaborative where it matters most.
You can read the full report here:
Relationships, Influencing and Collaborative Working – Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2025 (PDF)
For more background on the Third Sector Trends study, visit St Chad’s College, Durham University.