Editorial, Comment and Opinion

For years, the North Walsham Men’s Shed has been a place of friendship, purpose, and support - a welcoming space where men can come together to share skills, swap stories, and tackle meaningful projects for the benefit of the local community. But now, this valued community group is in urgent need of a new home in North Walsham.

Recent discussions in Parliament have shed light on the serious impact of bank closures in rural areas. The debate highlighted how these closures hit rural communities much harder than urban ones. MPs stressed the need for a "rural proofing" approach to banking, recognising that towns and villages face unique challenges compared to cities.

As we step into 2025, the new year brings with it a moment of reflection and celebration for Community Action Norfolk (CAN). Over the last decade, CAN has grown into a cornerstone of support and innovation for Norfolk’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. This milestone is not only a testament to the strength of our collective vision but also to the resilience and ingenuity of the communities we serve. 

On average someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds and an average of 460 people die from the disease every day. So what can we do to slow the effect of this devastating disease.