At our celebration event on Thursday 3rd October we were proud to share our recent activities helping to transform Norfolk lives and communities.

Henry Cator, Chair of the Foundation, opened our event welcoming everyone and thanking Barclays Wealth management for their generosity in supporting us.

In an ever changing, unpredictable and divided world, Norfolk Community Foundation has never been needed more.

Services everywhere are under enormous pressure with demand rising. It is up to the local charities and groups to rise up to fill the gaps.

Mental wellbeing: we need to step up now

Lady Pippa Dannatt shared her powerful insight as a counsellor working in the area of mental wellbeing, with personal stories highlighting the enormous pressure on local services and how grassroots organisations are needed more than ever.

Sir Norman Lamb then delivered a call to action: it’s time to step up to tackle the growing mental health crisis.

There are great people in a damaged system, and it’s crucial that community groups supporting people’s wellbeing get the funds they desperately need.

Donate to the Sir Norman Lamb Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund now and effect real change in Norfolk.

Together for women and girls

A panel discussion chaired by our Vice-Patron Carol Bundock shone a light on the wide range of community support needed by women and girls, from social activities to maternal mental health provision, and specialist help for women facing exploitation and abuse. It was clear that these services and many more like them are playing a vital role in women’s lives across our county.

Suzi Heybourne, Chief Executive of the Magdalene Group talked about the issues facing charities doing vital work in a challenging funding climate, and how Norfolk Community Foundation is able to help:

“Grant aid is vitally important. We have a skilled, professional staff team who work with women and girls to build trusted relationships, whilst also understanding the nature of sexual violence and abuse. We offer personalised and specialist support to sex working women, victims of sexual exploitation, trafficking and coercion, and help find routes out for women who want to move on. Fundraising is ongoing – we couldn’t just stop because the money has run out.”

Working together in times of crisis

The Grenfell disaster in 2017 highlighted the need for immediate support for people on the street.

In times of crisis we want to make sure that we can help those who need it most in our community, so we’re partnering with the National Emergencies Trust in the event of a local disaster.

Getting the stories heard

David Powles, Editor of the Eastern Daily Press, described how together we’re raising the profile of homelessness, disadvantage, isolation, poverty and vulnerability, as well as celebrating the power of community and recognising our unsung heroes.

What could we achieve together?

Before parting, our Chair Henry Cator set guests a challenge, encouraging everyone to inspire five new people to fund our work. Imagine how much more we could achieve in Norfolk with this support!