Know Your Neighbourhood: What We Learned
Know Your Neighbourhood showed how we can tackle loneliness in communities
At Norfolk Community Foundation, we work closely with local people and community organisations to understand what really makes a difference. Our place-based research for the Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) programme helped us understand the power of community action and volunteering, and how the right support can help people feel connected and confident again. These findings guide where we invest, how we partner, and how we help communities thrive.
Here are the four key things we learned:
1. People need more chances to connect
Our research shows that loneliness in Great Yarmouth often links to poverty, trauma or low confidence. Many people feel stuck and unsure where to turn. Community groups play a vital role because they offer calm, trusted spaces where people can take part at their own pace. Regular activities help people build routine and feel valued, and over time they start helping out and forming friendships.
What we can do:
- Fund local groups so they can offer steady, welcoming activities.
- Work with health services and job centres so they can guide people to community groups as a first step into connection.
2. Divisions make people feel cut off
We heard that when different groups in the community do not mix, people can feel unsafe or unwelcome. Language barriers and misunderstandings make this worse. When people do not share spaces, they miss out on chances to talk, learn and build trust.
What we can do:
- Support cultural events, shared celebrations and family activities that help people meet and understand each other.
- Expand language and inclusion support so everyone can take part.
3. Local strengths are powerful
We know from experience that Great Yarmouth already has strong assets. These include people, trusted places and existing friendships. Many residents prefer to “help out” in flexible ways rather than take on formal volunteering roles. Our role is to back this strength by funding activities that feel natural and easy to join. We also heard how important it is for groups to share spaces and work together.
What we can do:
- Fund low-cost, local activities that use familiar places.
- Promote “helping out” as an easy first step into volunteering.
- Support groups to share resources.
- Help local organisations connect with each other and with partners such as Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
4. Strong relationships take time
People often need months to feel ready to join a group. Short-term funding breaks these relationships. Long-term support helps people grow in confidence and keeps local networks strong.
What we can do:
- Provide longer-term funding so relationships can deepen.
- Invest in the staff and volunteers that local people already know and trust.
- Support partnerships that help groups work together.
Moving forward
This insight helps Norfolk Community Foundation direct funding where it matters most and support volunteering that changes lives. By listening to communities and acting on what we learn, we can help build a place where everyone feels they belong. If you would like to support this work, we would love to hear from you.
The Know Your Neighbourhood Programme
In 2023, UKCF partnered with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) to distribute £14 million of the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. Funding has been distributed throughout England to groups and activities that are enabling meaningful and impactful volunteering and tackle loneliness.
This learning-based programme is supporting people to access enriching opportunities that will help to improve their wellbeing, skills, confidence and social connections.
Additionally, participating community foundations are developing an understanding of what works to improve wellbeing and pride in place across the country. This is being done by independently evaluating the funding of community initiatives that aim to increase volunteering and tackle loneliness.
