Support for organisations and communities

Trustees Week celebrates the contribution that trustees make towards the work of charities.

The Desert Rats Association is raising money to build a new memorial to the men and women who have served in the division from 1940 to the modern day. To do that they needed funding, and lead fundraiser Beverley Cooper - a campaigner and fundraiser of many years’ experience and standing -turned to CAN for further advice and direction. 

More than 60 per-cent of community groups across England and Wales have been forced to reduce their services or close completely because of the pandemic, whilst two-thirds say need has increased in their communities. Closure can, however, be a positive move however, often arising from positive circumstances. And there are often other options. 

Over the weekend of the 14th March 2020, we saw several hundred Norfolk communities create new Mutual Aid Groups in response to the pandemic's effect on their communities.

This was our community spirit at its best. A process of forming groups that would normally take several months was accelerated into days. People were coming forward to help, who had never volunteered before. Whatever the legacy of the practical support that was delivered, the simple truth is “you can’t un-meet your neighbour” and this is hugely positive for our communities.