Our Story
Reaching People was formed in 2011 by a group of local VCSE leaders who recognised that the challenges facing communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland could not be solved by organisations working in isolation. Founding members from housing, homelessness, advice, disability and community support came together with a shared belief: collaboration, not competition, delivers better outcomes for local people.
We began as a consortium focused on coordinating and distributing contracts among our member organisations, ensuring services reached the people who needed them most. Over time, our role evolved and we grew into a trusted partnership network supporting service development, innovation and shared learning across the sector.
Our Roots
Early initiatives demonstrated the power of collaborative delivery:
Moneywise for Leicester (Big Lottery Fund): improving financial confidence for social housing tenants
Empty Homes Community Grants Programme (Department for Communities): bringing 30 homes back into use over three years
Drug and alcohol support in the City (Leicestershire Partnership Trust and Phoenix Futures): integrated housing, advice and employment support to people with drug and alcohol misuse issues in the City
All this work being delivered by Reaching People members.
In 2013, we merged with Leicestershire Voluntary Sector Resource Agency (LVSRA), an organisation dedicated to building capacity, leadership and involvement at every level across the voluntary and community sector. LVSRA strengthened our ability to ensure the sector’s voice was heard in local decision making and policy development. LVSRA also hosted LINk, the public voice on health and social care services (later replaced by Healthwatch).
How We’ve Grown
Since those early years, our work has expanded to address a wide range of community needs. We’ve supported projects that:
tackle digital and financial exclusion, building financial confidence, skills and long-term resilience
develop future leaders
empower local groups to strengthen their communities and environment
support emergency food hubs during times of crisis
Following Moneywise for Leicester, we delivered Moneywise Plus, a six year partnership with 12 organisations providing one-to-one support and digital and financial skills to help people move closer to employment.
Our Work Today
Today, Reaching People continues to support a vibrant and diverse VCSE sector. We work with partners and funders to address societal challenges through practical, community focused initiatives that reduce inequality and expand opportunities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We coordinate multi agency programmes, strengthen member organisations, amplify community voice and help partners work together to address the root causes of poverty.
Our Strategy
OUR VISION: A connected and collaborative VCSE sector responding effectively to the needs of our community.
OUR MISSION: To optimise the effectiveness and impact of the VCSE sector to create positive lasting change for local people.
OUR VALUES: Underpinning and guiding all we do and our relationships with stakeholders:
Cooperation, collaboration and partnership. We work with others to deliver our mission.
Respect. We are professional and act with integrity, trust and mutual respect.
Equity and Inclusion. We promote equity, fairness and diversity.
Informed. Our work is evidence based and demonstrates best practice.
Listen and Learn. We listen to understand, learn and respond.
Transparent. We are open, honest and clear.
Commitment. We are passionate about overcoming barriers and seeking effective solutions.
GOALS
We strive to:
Encourage, initiate, facilitate, coordinate and manage collaboration and partnership working.
Build the capacity and capability of individuals, communities and VSCE organisations.
Support the VCSE sector to have a voice and influence wider change.
Q: Who are the Reaching People member organisations?
You can view all our members at – Our members
Q: Can anyone join?
Any not-for-profit organisation can apply. There are precise criteria for acceptance, including being local to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and meeting all the requirements to deliver a public sector contract. Non-eligible organisations may become associate members.
Q: Is Reaching People a charity? When was it set up, and how large is it?
Reaching People is the trading name of a charity, Leicestershire Voluntary Sector Resource Agency (LVSRA), registered charity number: 1072595 and a company limited by guarantee, number 03576786. LVSRA merged with Reaching People in June 2013.
Out latest set of statutory accounts can be found here.
Q: Is the structure unbalanced, with such a small core team at the heart of so many delivery organisations?
No. That’s a common question based on a misunderstanding of the nature of the co- ordinating team. This is just the essential co-ordinating infrastructure that oils the wheels for the operation. It is not a delivery or even a project management mechanism. When a project is devised, a management team will be established which has all the functions and all the personnel appropriate to the size and scope of the project.
Q: How often do Reaching People members meet?
That is up to them, and the work. On a project, contact and meetings will be driven by client need. In addition, there are very many informal contacts between members in the course of a year—sharing ideas, information and resources. We also have four scheduled members’ meetings a year, one of which is the AGM. Meetings typically have a guest speaker and an opportunity for members to profile their work.
Q: How much does membership cost?
Payment relates to the annual income of your organisation. Email your query to us at admin@reachingpeople.co.uk so we can advise appropriately.
For more information on Reaching People consortium, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We will be pleased to answer your questions and tell you more about our achievements.