Local organisations join forces through the Collaborative Communities Fund
From October, local groups and organisations will work together to build capacity in the local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector – they will be helping the helpers.
Six collaborative test and learn projects based in rural Kirklees and Dewsbury and Mirfield will create reusable resources, develop skills through workshops and mentoring, and help newer groups and organisations grow in confidence.
Here is a short description of each partnership project:
Community Group Incubator
Partners: Holmfirth Tech and CollaborARTi
This partnership will test a practical incubator for new and emerging community groups. Participants will build knowledge, skills and confidence, then put their learning into practice. The project will use the learning to create a Community Group Starter Toolkit to support others.
Practical AI for small groups and organisations
Partners: Communities United Project, Man Alive! and Netherthong Community Partnership
Two local partners will be supported by Communities United Project to explore whether simple, responsible uses of artificial intelligence can reduce pressure, involve more volunteers and strengthen community work. They will choose one manageable task, test an approach and decide whether to adopt, adapt or stop it.
Peer support for stronger local organisations
Partners: The Welcome Centre and Skelmanthorpe Community Centre
Through a peer-to-peer approach, the organisations will share expertise in volunteering, communications, fundraising, trauma-informed practice and partnership working. Using the Welcome Centre’s Pantry in Skelmanthorpe as a base they will also make community connections, share spaces and identify opportunities for joint activity.
Building financial resilience
Partners: Holmfirth Tech and Sharing Memories Group
Workshops, tailored mentoring and peer support will help small and medium-sized organisations understand their financial position, communicate their impact, diversify income and develop practical fundraising and resilience strategies.
Digital inclusion and community signposting
Partners: 20:20 Foundation, Pilgrim Action Group, Scouthill Action Group and Eightlands TRA
Three local action groups will develop volunteers as Digital Inclusion and Community Signposting Coaches. Training, resources and coaching will help these trusted groups improve digital confidence, strengthen connections and make local support easier to access.
Wellbeing skills that can be shared
Partners: Umbrella Yoga CIC, Ambitions 4 Kirklees, Hollybank Trust and Step Up Day Services
The project will test whether staff and volunteers can confidently use simple, trauma-informed wellbeing practices with adults with learning disabilities. Co-designed prompt cards will help staff and volunteers use the techniques independently and consistently beyond structured yoga sessions.
All these projects will be running for six months. TSL will share the learning and resources from the CCF test and learn projects next Spring!