Saskia Konynenburg, Executive Director at NCVO, said: “Small charities bring deep local knowledge and flexible solutions, often where statutory services don’t reach. They’re often the glue that holds our communities together, working behind the scenes and providing vital services with finite funds.”
There is increasing recognition of the role of small charities and the part they play in creating healthy, connected communities. Hampshire Place Assembly recently focussed on Hampshire Country Council’s new public health strategy and how VCSE organisations are already delivering on so much of it!
We’re advocating for the shift to neighbourhood health and prevention to be used to strengthen the VCSE organisations already delivering on this. For statutory services to listen to and commission small charities to deliver on this work. For existing community assets to be funded rather than new hubs being set up.
That’s also why we use the Action Hampshire way – connecting you and supporting you through workshops and funding to do what you do best, strengthening local communities of geography and lived experience.
We’re really dedicated to helping you and your communities voices be heard (through projects like Raising Voices in Research, Healthwatch Hampshire engagement, Integrated urgent care consultation, Hampshire Leadership Forum) and we’re also dedicated to getting statutory services funding out to you, as you know best how to deliver in your own communities (Communities against Cancer, Let’s be Smokefree). Please do take a look and get involved if you’re not already.
Lastly, I want to praise the role of small charities in being the community glue! At this time when the threat of violence, division, discrimination is all too insidious, it’s you, the small charities who are supporting people and helping people to come together.
Is there some way we can support you more? Please let us know! We’re here for you.
