What we do

We provide support and advice for voluntary sector groups.  These can be anything from small local groups to registered and unregistered charities, and social enterprises.  Collectively these are called Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations.  We aim to be a one-stop-shop for organisations at any stage in their development, and can provide support around topics like: 

• Finding funding 
• Answering governance queries 
• Advice on how to start up 
• Support to get the right structure 
• Policy advice  

And much more!  If it is to do with VCSE organisations, we can help or signpost you to the best place to get help.  

Our Support in the West 

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk have always recognised the value of the VCSE sector in West Norfolk, and commission us to provide some support to organisations in the district.  Support from the Borough Council has allowed us to provide training, information sessions, and hub events to 180 people in West Norfolk, and to provide direct support to 132 groups over the last year.  This means that we can offer West Norfolk VCSE organisations: 

Free training and advice sessions, covering topics like: 

• Foundations of Funding - Ideal for those new to funding, to help your organisation have the most robust funding it can. 
• Trustee Training - to help Trustees new and old to be aware of what their roles and responsibilities are and keeping up to date with latest Charity Commission advice.   
• Energy Advice Sessions - to help the people you support who might be struggling with energy costs.  

Find out what training we are offering by emailing Jackie.cushing@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk. 

One to One Support  

Got a question, or come across an issue, and need advice? We can provide one-to-one support by email, phone, or face-to-face (online or in person depending on the situation).  Our Development Team have a wealth of knowledge and experience with voluntary sector organisations and issues that affect them. To get in touch with the Team, email office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk  

West Norfolk Related Updates and Connections 

It is hard to keep up with all the services and information that you might need, and events that are happening in the area.  We send out West-specific mailings keeping you up to date with everything you need to know without inundating you (If you would like to receive these, please email tasha.higgins@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk).  Our Locality Manager (West), Jackie can also help you to make the right strategic links, whether it is an organisation you could partner with, or a link with statutory services, helping you to form the relationships you need when you need them. 

We also help to provide opportunities to network, through our events (such as Meet the Funder sessions, where you can meet funders like the National Lottery Community Fund, and GrantScape) and the West Norfolk VCSE Hub (6-weekly topic focused sessions facilitating shared learning and updates about all things West) - please contact Jackie.cushing@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk for more information.   

Resources

We have a whole raft of resources available voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, and as part of a project with the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, to support new and existing groups in the area to recover from the pandemic, we have compiled three factsheets:

• Starting a New Group - ideal for people who have an idea and want some steering to help get it off the ground. 
• Structures for VCSE Groups - for small groups or organisations looking to adopt a recognised structure.
• Introduction to Norfolk's VCSE Sector - aimed at new or new-to-Norfolk organisations or their staff, introducing them to some of the well-known faces and features of the sector. 

If you would like to know more about the other resources we offer, please contact us on office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk.