Why This Page Exists
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming part of how we all live and work — including in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
At CVS Cheshire East, we know that many organisations are curious about AI but unsure where to start. This page is here to provide guidance, reassurance and useful resources. Whether you’re just learning about AI or beginning to explore how it might support your work, you’ll find helpful information below.
We’re also sharing our own approach to AI — including our policy and how we’re using it responsibly within our own organisation.
Our Position on AI
At CVS Cheshire East, we believe AI has the potential to enhance how we work — by saving time, supporting decision-making, and helping us to better understand data.
But AI is not without risks. We are committed to using it thoughtfully, transparently, and in ways that align with our values.
We support safe, ethical exploration of AI across the VCFSE sector — and we aim to lead by example through our own policy and practice.
Our AI Usage Policy
To help guide our team, partners and sector colleagues, we will develop a clear policy on the use of AI.
This policy will set out:
- When and how AI can be used at CVS Cheshire East
- What kinds of tasks are appropriate
- Where human judgement and care must always take the lead
- How we ensure our use of AI is ethical, inclusive and safe
What Is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to technology that allows computers to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence — like writing text, spotting patterns, or summarising information.
You might have come across tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google’s AI search features. These can help with things like writing drafts, generating ideas, or analysing feedback — but they still require a human to guide and review the output.
AI is developing quickly, and it’s okay not to be an expert. The most important thing is to use it carefully, and with purpose.
How AI Could Support the VCFSE Sector
There are many ways AI could be used to help staff and volunteers across the sector. Some examples of safe, low-risk use might include:
- Drafting meeting notes or blog content
- Summarising feedback or survey results
- Identifying trends in community needs or funding opportunities
- Researching themes for funding bids
- Supporting internal planning or admin tasks
These uses can save time and increase efficiency but should always be reviewed by a person before being shared or relied on.
Using AI Responsibly
At CVS Cheshire East, we believe AI should always support people - never replace them.
Here are some key things to remember when using any AI tools:
🔒 Never enter personal or sensitive data (e.g. names, contact details, safeguarding concerns)
🧠 Always check for accuracy and bias — AI can “sound confident” but still be wrong
👁️ Be transparent — clearly mark content that has been AI-assisted
🤝 Don’t replace care — AI should not be used for advice, relationship-based work, or final decision-making
Useful Resources
Here is some additional reading to help you learn more about AI and how it’s being used in the charity sector:
