Community Connectors

The Community Connectors are a key part of the Thriving Together programme. Their role includes a number of functions intended to support Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, especially smaller or newer ones. Some of their activities are:

  • Mapping the sector: They identify what VCSE organisations exist across Northumberland, what they are doing, where, to help build a picture of the landscape.
  • Building communication channels: Developing mailing lists, networks and ways for VCSE organisations to stay informed and connected with each other.
  • One-to-one support: Supporting individual organisations with advice and guidance. This may include help with governance, funding, understanding how to navigate contracts, etc. Especially helpful for newly constituted groups
  • Promoting partnerships, shared learning, collaboration: Encouraging organisations to work together, share best practices, use shared spaces or co-locate to make services more efficient or locally responsive.
  • Connecting with local organisations: Getting “boots on the ground” by visiting or engaging local VCSE groups to understand their needs, build relationships and ensure they are not isolated.
  • Supporting networks and events: Helping organise or facilitate networks, events, forums for VCSE collaboration; enabling peer support and sharing of information.

Why it matters

  • Many small VCSE groups do great local work but can be isolated, under-resourced or find navigating funding/governance difficult. The Community Connectors aim to reduce those barriers
  • By connecting organisations, sharing resources and building collective voice, the sector as a whole can engage more strategically with local authorities, funding bodies and service commissioners
  • Helps ensure services in local communities are better aligned with what people need, especially in rural or under-served areas.

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