Community Efforts Recognised With Funding Boost For Voluntary Sector Community groups across Norfolk will have access to the support they need thanks to a new partnership, funded by Norfolk County Council. Voluntary Norfolk, Community Action Norfolk and Norfolk Community Foundation will work together as the Empowering Communities Partnership, with Norfolk Community Advice Network and FUSE Norwich alongside as strategic partners. The help on offer includes managing funding and finance e pert trainin and seminars volunteer recruitment and deployment and a series of forums and networking opportunities. This new partnership marks a 45% increase in the funding provided for this support, in recognition of the role community groups have played throughout the pandemic. Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for communities and partnerships at Norfolk County Council said: “The pandemic has clearly shown that Norfolk’s voluntary groups are the lifeblood of our communities. Thousands of people stepped up to help their neighbours by delivering food packages, talking to those who are lonely and supporting the vaccine roll-out. We know this is a challenging time for the voluntary sector. This partnership reinforces our commitment to support the sector and invests in the support they need.”
Barbara, a volunteer at the Burrell Shop in Thetford
The partnership has seen the funding provided by Norfolk County Council for Norfolk’s voluntary sector support organisations increase by 45%, from £172,000 to £250,000 for a 2-year period. There is also an additional cash boost of £150,000 over 3 years to directly support local voluntary groups through the Empowering Communities und. The latest fundin uilds on the e istin infrastructure support arrangements and comes after a recent survey found that two-thirds of voluntary or anisations e pect the demand for their services to increase. This is against a backdrop of falling income and reduction in the range of services on offer. The Empowering Communities Fund is now open to local organisations to apply for grants up to £10,000 to help build their resilience and become more sustainable. For more information and to apply go to: www.norfolkfoundation.com/fundingsupport/grants/groups/empoweringcommunities-fund/
Lucy Hogg, Director of Infrastructure at Voluntary orfolk, said “The partnership is really e cited to be working together to drive a step-change in support for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector. We want to support the sector to amplify its voice at this critical time, as we come out of the pandemic to enable more collaboration, A new partnership website will be coming soon, stronger partnerships, and more resources, until then community groups & social enterprises This will help voluntary and community groups AKFS Advert.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2020 17:03 Page 1 in Norfolk to continue to provide vital services to that want to find out how to et help can contact www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk/contact Norfolk’s communities.”
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