Our Impact
We are committed to monitoring, reporting on and improving our impact in supporting the Norfolk voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. We collect feedback through surveys, seeking case studies and testimonials, through social media and ad hoc conversations with the sector. We also gain insight into sector needs through sector forums and encouraging discussion on pressing topics at networking events and workshops.
Impact Report 2021-2025:
Since launching in 2021, Empowering Communities has brought together the expertise of our partners to create a joined-up, accessible support offer for VCSE organisations. Together, we’ve helped groups across the county to grow skills, strengthen leadership, build connections, and inspire more people to volunteer.
The report captures the impact of this work, including:
- 1,200+ organisations supported through training, advice, and networking.
- 153 events reaching over 3,300 people, with participants rating them 4.6/5 on average.
- 336,000 visitors and nearly 2 million views on the Get InVOLved Norfolk volunteering platform.
- Building strong sector voice and leadership through networks, forums, and strategic partnerships with over 800 individuals representing 455 organisations across 5 networks.
Testimonials:
“Home-Start Norfolk has found the information and support provided via the Empowering Communities partnership invaluable, further informing our team’s knowledge and sharing of best practice. Attending workshops and events such as Corporate Volunteering: Good for business, good for the community and VCSE Leadership Barriers have been beneficial in gaining knowledge on the path to ensuring our organisation’s future sustainability” – Sharon Travis, Training & Volunteer Development Coordinator – Home-Start Norfolk
“When I entered the charity sector following a career change, several of their events were incredibly useful to build contacts and to help to highlight some of the challenges I would be facing as a CEO in the charity sector. The sessions were fantastic for identifying ways to overcome some of these challenges.” – David Powles, CEO – NCLS
“The workshops are not only fantastic for meeting those in a similar role but also for sharing ideas around recruitment, support in particularly tricky areas, sharing contacts (with permission, of course!), ideas around training, bringing down barriers to volunteering and much more. I have personally found the support invaluable over the last couple of years. The support and encouragement I have received has been excellent and has really inspired me to carry on with my aims for this role. I feel able to get in touch, ask a question or ask for information.” – Anne Rayner, Volunteer Coordinator – EACH
“As a small charity juggling many balls and wearing many hats, you can easily become siloed and not have a sense of the wider context of the charitable sector in Norfolk. Empowering Communities makes it easy for small charities like ours to engage and connect with peers, funders, referral agencies, training organisations and potential volunteers, breaking those walls down so that we have free opportunities to widen our reach and get the vital support we need to keep our organisation relevant and progressive.” – Clare Francis, Project Manager – New-U