How can the Empowering Communities Partnership best support your organisation? Share your challenges & priorities for the next year with us & help us advocate for a stronger, thriving VCSE sector!
We know that our local charities, community groups and social enterprises underpin communities across Norfolk. Your hard work, compassion and dedication make a world of difference to local people and places, ultimately making Norfolk a better place to live. But we also know that VCSEs are facing significant challenges – from diminishing public and grant funding, to challenges in recruiting volunteers, to limited access to affordable space.
Our research from 2024 showed that some 59% of organisations were concerned about securing funding and commissioning, while 39% were prioritising volunteer recruitment. A quarter of organisations had already diversified their income streams to improve their sustainability, while others were dipping into their reserves or releasing paid staff. Looking ahead, many organisations highlighted internal capacity and rising demand as key concerns and told us they would most value support in fundraising, volunteer management, networking with other VCSEs and building relationships with the public sector.
We want to hear from all Norfolk VCSEs – from large charities to the smallest community groups – first-hand about your organisation’s greatest challenges and priorities for the year ahead. What aspirations do you have for your organisation? What barriers are in your way? What support would help you to thrive?
Take our survey now and ensure your voice is heard! – link
Your feedback will help us build an updated picture of the state of Norfolk’s voluntary, community and social enterprises, enabling us to advocate for the needs of the sector and tailor our own support to these priorities. The research will inform a report, published end 2026, bringing your needs to the attention of local decision-makers at a time of considerable system upheaval.
We want to hear it all! – link
The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes and is suitable for anyone working or volunteering in a Norfolk VCSE. We welcome multiple responses from the same organisation, as experiences and priorities may well differ across the team, so please do share with your colleagues, board members or lead volunteers.
Why Participate?
• Support: Your responses will help us understand the challenges you’re facing, shaping our future offer to you and helping us advocate for better support.
• Collective voice: By participating, you’ll help create a fuller picture of what VCSEs need in Norfolk, adding to a collective call for positive change.
• Solutions: Your input will guide our efforts to address critical issues through our workshops, events, resources, and work with statutory partners and local decision-makers.
Take the survey – link
Please spread the word!