Westmorland and Furness Council is inviting local voluntary and community groups to take part in a new survey designed to gather views on how well they are supported by local third sector infrastructure organisations.
Infrastructure organisations provide support services such as training, funding advice, governance, and networking opportunities for organisations in the third sector.
The survey is seeking feedback from organisations that benefit from such support services and the aim is to identify any gaps or duplication in these services, understand what is working well, and explore areas for improvement.
This engagement is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to helping the local voluntary sector grow and thrive sustainably through its annual grant funding. It also aligns with one of the council’s key priorities in its Council Plan which emphasises that “effective local representation and a thriving voluntary and third sector are critical” to the overall well-being of our communities.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said:
“Our voluntary sector plays a vital role in the fabric of our communities. The insights gained from this survey will help us tailor our approach to ensure that our third sector infrastructure funding is effective and targets the needs of the sector.”
The survey is designed to take less than 10 minutes to complete and the council strongly encourages all voluntary and community groups to participate.
The survey will remain open until 13 December 2024. More information and to take part.