Your Own Place CIC is a social enterprise that helps people towards living independently. CEO Rebecca White is passionate about helping young people and those facing barriers not of their own making. Rebecca shaes her thoughts on the need for collaboration, team wellbeing, and digital innovation in adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In light of the resurgence of the pandemic and the government’s newly introduced three-tier measures, Norfolk County Council leaders are planning ahead for an uncertain winter.
We often feature articles about the inspiring initiatives happening in response to Covid-19. Except they don’t just happen – they’re the result of innovative, often spontaneous efforts by local individuals who see a need in their community. Mattishall Volunteer Hub (MVH) began life in the very first week of the lockdown in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and is still going strong.
The village hall, church and pub are three archetypal hubs of rural communities. Many communities across Norfolk have just one pub remaining, whilst some have lost even that. A familiar story in recent years is that of saving the village pub, an effort requiring skillful organisation, focused fundraising and commitment from those involved.
Our CANConnect initiative works with partner agencies across the North Norfolk district of Norfolk and Waveney CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) to help connect people with activities in their locality, as well as providing individuals with one-to-one support in identifying and achieving their personal goals. CANConnect also provides support for the community itself, helping organisations and people make the places where we live stronger, friendlier, and more resilient.
CAN has long been very active in promoting Anglian Water’s ‘Keep It Clear’ initiative, aimed at encouraging the public to dispose of waste water and materiel in the correct and safest way. Busy appearing at fetes, festivals and fun days all across Norfolk, we invited people to think about how we are all responsible for keeping our sewage systems clear and efficient.
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.