Here at CAN we work with a wide variety of VCSE organisations, and during the COVID-19 pandemic have been busy gathering sector data on the impact on capacity to deliver. You can read more about that here.
Our CANConnect project helps people in North Norfolk link with activities and like-minded people in their community, as well as providing support to help them identify and achieve their goals. We've been working closely with North Norfolk Writers' Group.
This report is part of a series of documents looking at role of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Norfolk over the Covid-19 period, the impact of the pandemic on the VCSE sector and our beneficiaries and initial thinking about future direction and strategy.
Loneliness Awareness Week (15th to 19th June) is highlighting one of the great social scourges of our modern society. Community Action Norfolk is at the forefront of combating social isolation across our county, with a range of projects encouraging and enabling individuals to become involved in activities in their local communities.
At CAN we’ve seen the spectrum of community groups forming in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, seeking to help their vulnerable and isolated residents. We have, and are, helping many of them with safeguarding, insurance and legal advice and volunteer management, under the auspices of our existing Good Neighbour scheme network.
There are some inspiring examples of communities coming together during the Coronavirus pandemic, and one south Norfolk town has shown how it can be done.
We know that many voluntary and community groups are experiencing severe operating constraints currently, not least the inability to engage directly with clients and service users. One of the great characteristics of the VCSE sector, however, is the ability to adapt and improvise to meet the need.
Working from home under lockdown has become the ‘new normal’ for many voluntary and community organisations. Many of us are now learning to meet via video-link, and it brings new challenges in running an effective meeting!
CANConnect grants have been awarded to community groups who are able to demonstrate a positive contribution to improving social engagement in their locality. Wells-next-the-Sea Men’s Shed put their grant to good use in buying their ‘shed’.