Editorial, Comment and Opinion

The latest UK Poverty 2026 report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that more than one in five people across the UK are living in poverty. While this is a national picture, the findings have real implications for communities here in Norfolk, where rural challenges can make financial pressures even harder to manage.

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Local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations play a crucial role in bringing people together, strengthening trust and supporting communities through change. Drawing on national insight from NAVCA, this article explores why local infrastructure matters and what it means for VCSE groups working across Norfolk — from reducing isolation to creating spaces where people feel connected, heard and supported.

Neighbourhoods are the building blocks of strong communities. They are the places where people connect, look after one another and access support. When neighbourhoods work well, they help people feel a sense of belonging and make local services more responsive to real needs. This short piece explains why neighbourhoods matter and the vital role local infrastructure plays in helping communities thrive.