The newly formed West Norfolk VCSE Hub provides an excellent mechanism for sharing best practice and opportunities for joined-up thinking. It was established to support discussions about key issues for the voluntary sector and public services in West Norfolk, the aim being to help other sectors work with VCSE organisations to ensure that the people of West Norfolk get the best support and services possible.
At CAN we believe in fair outcomes for all Norfolk residents and we support services that meet the economic, health, and social needs of individuals in their communities. We are asking for your help in raising awareness of ThinkingFuel, our collective heating oil buying scheme that helps combat fuel poverty.
The UK’s National Health Service is rated by the US-based Commonwealth Fund as best in the developed world for safety, affordability and efficiency. And we all know it to be one of our most valued and revered welfare institutions. Very occasionally something goes wrong and needs resolving so that everyone involved can learn and move forward. The NHS Complaints Advocoacy SErvice is here to help.
At CAN we have been conducting research to assess the impact of COVID-19 on VCSE operations and service delivery. You can read about this here. We are featuring here regular examples of how groups and organisations have adapted their particular services. This week we’re focussing on Norfolk Community Action Network.
CAN has a special service level agreement with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN). We deliver a range of services across the Council’s area which, at 556 square miles, is the largest geographic local authority district in Norfolk. And we very much value this relationship.
CAN, in association with GamCare, is presenting 'Women & Gambling-Related Harm', a free, online training session for West Norfolk VCSE professionals and volunteers who work with women and families. The 2-hour Zoom session is on Wednesday 2nd September from 2.00-4.00pm. GamCare’s Polly Johnson will be discussing risk factors, impacts, how to identify a gambling addiction and where to signpost for further help.
We’ve seen so much commitment from Norfolk’s VCSE sector in to adapting to new ways of working during COVID-19. Dealing with the impact of social isolation was a primary developmental driver for Aylsham & District Care Trust (ACT) and remains at the heart of their work today, reinforced by additional need triggered by the pandemic.
A report from the New Local Government Network (NLGN) states that a huge proportion of vulnerable people needing help during the pandemic has been directly supported by the proliferation of thousands of the spontaneous, voluntary Mutual Aid groups that have emerged.
There are many community-based projects that have sprung up to help vulnerable people across Norfolk during the COVID pandemic. Others were already well-established and have proved their worth before and during these difficult times. CAN has been working with many such groups, and we are pleased to be working with FABB.
Affordable housing is at the heart of helping rural communities thrive and survive. In this, Rural Housing Week, we are looking at why affordable housing is needed and why it’s important for residents to be involved.