The core functions of East Staffordshire Community & Voluntary Services (ESCVS) are: 

Representation: to enable the diverse views of the local VCS to be represented to local statutory bodies and others and, where appropriate, to be a conduit for this representation  

Strategic partnerships: to ensure involvement and a strong voice from voluntary and community groups

Liaison: to develop and maintain links across the voluntary and community, statutory and private sectors and to promote the ability of all sectors to network with each other    

Development: to support sustainable development of organisations in the local VCS     

Support: to provide support that will underpin the functioning and develop the capacity of local voluntary and community groups

Volunteering: to provide a volunteering brokerage service that promotes volunteering, develops best practice, new opportunities for volunteering, engages in policy response and campaigning and is involved in the strategic development of volunteering  

ESCVS acts to achieve these functions by providing a comprehensive range of services including information, advice, support, advocacy, training and representation and by working actively for change in the policies and practice of bodies that affect the voluntary and community sector.

ESCVS recognises that people and groups suffer oppression and discrimination in society for many reasons including their race, colour, ethnicity and national origin, health and disability (physical or mental), HIV status, gender, religion, marital status, sexuality, and age.

ESCVS aims to actively challenge and combat such discrimination.

In furtherance of the core functions, ESCVS will, in the provision of services and the engagement of paid and voluntary staff, take positive steps to redress discrimination and improve equality of opportunity.