How can the Empowering Communities Partnership best support your organisation?

Share your challenges & priorities for the next year with us & help us advocate for a stronger, thriving VCSE sector!

We know that our local charities, community groups and social enterprises underpin communities across Norfolk. Your hard work, compassion and dedication make a world of difference to local people and places, ultimately making Norfolk a better place to live. But we also know that VCSEs are facing significant challenges – from diminishing public and grant funding, to challenges in recruiting volunteers, to limited access to affordable space.

Our research from 2024 showed that some 59% of organisations were concerned about securing funding and commissioning, while 39% were prioritising volunteer recruitment. A quarter of organisations had already diversified their income streams to improve their sustainability, while others were dipping into their reserves or releasing paid staff. Looking ahead, many organisations highlighted internal capacity and rising demand as key concerns and told us they would most value support in fundraising, volunteer management, networking with other VCSEs and building relationships with the public sector.

We want to hear from all Norfolk VCSEs - from large charities to the smallest community groups - first-hand about your organisation’s greatest challenges and priorities for the year ahead. What aspirations do you have for your organisation? What barriers are in your way? What support would help you to thrive?

Take our survey now and ensure your voice is heard!

The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes and is suitable for anyone working or volunteering in a Norfolk VCSE. We welcome multiple responses from the same organisation, as experiences and priorities may well differ across the team, so please do share with your colleagues, board members or lead volunteers.

Please spread the word!

Please share with your colleagues, volunteers, and contacts. We want to reach as many charities, social enterprises and community groups as possible – spread the word by sharing on socials!

By coming together to share your views and experiences, you’ll help us to continue building a thriving VCSE sector in Norfolk. You can find out more about the Empowering Communities Partnership and the support we can offer to your organisation here.