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What We Do - Our Support for West Norfolk Organisations

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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, along with the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) they commission us to provide some support to organisations in the district.  Support from the Borough Council and ICB has allowed us to provide training, information and Hub sessions 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 office@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 office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk).  Our West Norfolk VCSE Hub Lead, Tasha 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 office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk for more information.   

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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:

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

Updates for West Norfolk

Join our Team! Engagement Support Officer - Deadline: 31st July

The Engagement Support Officer will support neighbourhood-based community development activity across King's Lynn; specifically in the neighbourhoods of North Lynn, South Lynn, Gaywood and Fairstead & King’s Reach.  Working alongside others, the Engagement Support Officer will help create the communication, administrative, engagement and evaluation systems that enable community-led action to flourish

Join our Team! Community Builder: Children, Young People, and Families - Deadline: 31st July

The Community Builder: Children, Young People & Families (CYF) will work to asset -based community Development principles (training will be provided) to facilitate the residents of North Lynn, South Lynn, Gaywood and Fairstead & King’s Reach, specifically children, young people and families, to come together and create a strong community.  

Join our Team! Community Builder: North and South Lynn - Deadline 31st July

The Community Builder will work directly in the communities of North and South Lynn to engage with residents and local institutions to help them to build strong communities. 

Join our Team! Community Builder: Gaywood and Fairstead & King's Reach - Deadline: 31st July

The Community Builder will work directly in the communities of Gaywood and Fairstead & King’s Reach to engage with residents and local institutions to help them to build strong communities.  

King's Lynn 10 Year Vision

A blueprint to secure up to £20m investment in King’s Lynn over the next decade has been unveiled - shaped by local people.

Marham Parish Council Case Study: Future Proofing a Historic Hall

Marham Parish Council has taken bold steps to transform their 1850s village hall into a greener, more energy-efficient community asset, starting with the installation of a full solar and battery storage system.

Case Study: Westacre Theatre – Taking Centre Stage in Going Green

Like many rural venues, Westacre Theatre has faced more than its fair share of challenges: geographic isolation, tight budgets, and the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. For a time, the future felt uncertain. But with support from the Arts Council, a dedicated management team and around 40 volunteers, and a whole lot of community spirit, the theatre not only bounced back, it’s now thriving.

And it's doing so more sustainably than ever before.

How the Charity Funding Landscape Has Changed and Its Impact on the VCSE Sector

In recent years, the funding landscape for the UK’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has undergone significant change. Reduced local authority support, rising operational costs, and increased competition for limited resources have made it much harder for charities to secure sustainable income.

The Changing Landscape of the VCSE Sector in West and North Norfolk

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in West and North Norfolk is navigating a period of significant challenge and change.  A recent consultation by Community Action Norfolk (CAN), on behalf of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), reveals a deeply strained landscape marked by rising community need, growing operational pressures, and funding uncertainty. 

A Small Village Hall Making a Big Change! Barton Bendish Goes Green

Barton Bendish Village Hall has been on a steady path towards sustainability for several years now. It all started with a full renovation of the aging building.  At the time, the Hall had rotten floorboards, outdated heating, and poor-quality windows.  This spring marked a major milestone, when 18 west-facing solar panels and an 8-kilowatt battery were installed, thanks to funding from the West Norfolk Go Green Grant.  

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