Community organisations confident about the future after adapting during pandemic

A new report released today by Locality, Navigating the Storm, shows how community organisations kept going through a hugely challenging time. It finds that organisations adapted, innovated and thrived, by:  Finding new, more efficient, ways to deliver services  Investing in their buildings during lockdowns to make them more efficient in the long-term Providing completely new types of services in response to community needs. The report, which is based on interviews and surveys from over 120 community organisations, funders and experts, explains how the determination and expertise of community leaders, combined…

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During the pandemic Community organisations pioneered new ways of working, finds Space to Connect Project

The findings of a project aimed at helping to bring communities together to tackle inequality and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic are being shared today by Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and Locality. The evidence has come from the Space to Connect programme – a partnership funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Co-op Foundation. The £1.6million project was aimed at helping community organisations develop physical spaces such as buildings, allotments, and playgrounds to reduce social isolation. It ran between 2019 and 2021 and funded…

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New research shows key role of community organisations across Europe during the Coronavirus pandemic

Locality has released a new piece of research, showing the vital role that community organisations across Europe have played during the Coronavirus pandemic. Bringing together findings from the UK, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Finland, and Sweden; this research shows the incredible responsiveness and reliance of community organisation in Europe. Adding to the health crisis, the pandemic exacerbated many social and economic issues ranging from food poverty to digital exclusion to social isolation. This research shows that, due to being embedded in their communities, community organisations across the continent…

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Multi-million pound Covid-19 recovery scheme launches for community-led organisations

A new £9.5million funding scheme that will support community-led organisations in England affected by the Covid-19 crisis, has been unveiled. The Covid-19 Community-Led Organisations Recovery Scheme (CCLORS) will provide grants up to £100,000 to community-led organisations in England that are facing severe financial difficulties as a direct result of the coronavirus lockdown. The scheme is open to all types of community-led organisation affected by the crisis. Applications are particularly welcome from organisations led by or directly supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, which have been disproportionately affected by…

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Community organisations, key to effective coronavirus response, must now be trusted to lead recovery, finds new Locality report

A new report from Locality highlights the vital role that community organisations have played in meeting community need and supporting people during the Coronavirus crisis. Community organisations often quickest to mobilise and key to coordinating and delivering emergency support. Locality call on government to: support a community-powered economic recovery; create collaborative public services; and, provide support to turn community spirit into community power. Community organisations have been the ‘glue’ linking mutual aid groups with private and public sector responses. Over 100 organisations contributed to the report, with input from community…

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