Local organisations benefit from Cabinet Office funding

Five voluntary organisations lead the way towards sustainability in Brighton and Hove.

Five high impact voluntary organisations in Brighton and Hove have shown they are ready and willing to make the necessary changes to deliver sustainable services to their users.

MindOut, the LGBT Mental Health project, Brighton Women’s Centre, Creative Future, The Food Partnership, and Friends, Families & Travellers have each been awarded a grant to implement organisational change, funded by the Cabinet’s Office Local Sustainability Fund (LSF) and delivered by Big Lottery Fund.  The resource will allow them to find time, support and critical challenge needed to make improvements in areas they have identified as development priorities.

Over 1,000 organisations applied to the scheme last year and completed an online assessment to demonstrate understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.  265 organisations have been funded across the country.  The 5 successful organisations in Brighton and Hove were amongst 23 recipients in the South East and their grants total £334,534.

Using professional advice and volunteers from local businesses, the organisations will focus on demonstrating their impact, succession planning and income diversification.  With support from Community Works, CEOs from the organisations will come together at regular intervals during the programme to action plan and share resources.  Their trustee boards will exchange their knowledge and experiences of leading change.  Learning will also be made available to the wider voluntary and community sector, to maximise the impact of the LSF programme locally.

Sally Polanski, CEO of Community Works, said: “It is imperative that organisations plan for their long-term sustainability but many simply do not have the capacity to focus on their own development when resources are so tight.  The five successful organisations are all providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society. It is fantastic that they have this opportunity to focus on their development and that we can share their learning to benefit other Community Works’ members.”