Between July 2014 and March 2017, we led a partnership of local organisations in Brighton and Hove to:

• deliver support services to the voluntary and community sector
• undertake community development in deprived neighbourhoods
• engage BME, LGB and trans communities, and individuals with a disability

The organisations involved included:

• Resource Centre
• LGBT Switchboard
• Work to Connect
• Interfaith Contact Group
• Brighton and Hove Faith in Action
• Hangleton and Knoll Project
• Whitehawk Inn at Brighton Housing Trust
• Trust for Developing Communities
• Sussex Interpreting Services
• DeafCog
• Amaze
• Speakout*
• Interact at Brighton and Hove Impetus*
• Carers Centre*
• Aspire at Brighton and Hove Impetus*
• Mind*

*Only between July 2014-March 2016

 

Creating value

The partnership was funded by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group.

As well as enabling the organisations to provide their existing services, the funding also enabled the partnership to:

• connect staff and volunteers across its services
• join-up support to parks and green spaces groups
• open-up access to services for LGB and trans people
• better support small LGB and trans groups
• undertake additional engagement activities with residents, such as supporting patient participation groups, a cancer screening research project and a tennis facilities consultation project

 

Our impact

Over the three years, working together, we:

• improved residents lives. We ensured a wider range of residents were able to access the services they needed, and were supported to get involved in local activities
• made voluntary and community organisations more effective. We provided them with advice and support, training and development opportunities, and the means to share their views and expertise with those responsible for managing and developing local services
• improved services and support to residents and voluntary and community organisations. In particular, we improved equality practice in the funded organisations, which meant community-support services were more inclusive and able to operate across communities
• built better relationships between staff and volunteers working in the funded organisations. This enabled more collaborative work and activities to take place than would have otherwise. It also developed people’s confidence and ability to deliver their work and fulfill their roles

 

Need help?

If you work of volunteer for a voluntary or community organisation in Brighton, Hove, Adur or Worthing, find out more about the support services available to you.

If you work in the public sector you’ll benefit from collaborating with us and our partners. We can connect with you voluntary and community organisations in Brighton, Hove Adur and Worthing. We can also support you to develop projects and partnerships with local communities, reach individuals and communities with specific characteristics or interests, and improve your services and commissions for public services.

To find out more get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Laura Williams, on laura@bhcommunityworks.org.uk or 01273 234025