VAST
Established in 1920, VAST provides specialist services to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire, supporting them to deliver high quality services to local communities.
As the Local Infrastructure Organisation for Stoke-on-Trent, VAST is seen as an unofficial chamber of commerce and a one-stop-support-shop.
VAST’s team of 40 enables other organisations to focus on what they do best and deliver quality services to enhance the lives of North Staffordshire residents.
They do this by being leaders of and advocates for the sector, providing capacity building support, supporting partnerships and collaboration both within the sector and across sectors and by supporting a thriving volunteering ecosystem for the city.
VAST helps to create, support and develop strong, efficient and resilient voluntary and community groups, enabling them to thrive, flourish and to provide the best services possible to support communities. They do this through collaborating with and supporting a variety of key stakeholders and organisations.
Their key aim is to promote and advance the professional development of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector locally and to support and encourage a vibrant, thriving and sustainable local sector which can deliver high quality services for the benefit of their beneficiaries.
VAST’s Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Healings, said: “Over time we’ve worked closely with our local communities to understand what truly works for them, refining our processes to meet their evolving needs.
“Our personalised approach and commitment to continuous improvement ensures that we provide the best support possible. Our team are all hugely passionate about what they do and this shines through in their work.
“As an organisation that is much more used to being in the background, providing behind-the-scenes support, it is fantastic to see that the work we do is appreciated and valued.”
VAST has been nominated in the Civic Pride category of the Your Heroes Awards 2025.