A busy and interesting year from a development team perspective and we loved working with all of our member organisations. Getting to know the organisations, your staff and volunteers is our favourite part of our job, we hope this year we helped some of you to solve problems, find opportunities and keep going.

Here are a few of our observations, successes and lessons from the year:

Bold, Innovative, creative local places

We celebrate the continued commitment of established and emerging area-based organisations, such as Ramsey Neighbourhood Trust, St Ives Festival, St Neots Forum and St Neots Initiative (sorry if we missed any out). These organisations involve residents from our towns to provide local support services, contribute to local economic development and shape local identity, in other words, community and character!

Finding a model where these community-enhancing organisations can be financially sustainable is a challenge, but one that the organisations in Huntingdonshire are clearly embracing by exploring and implementing different models of income generation, we applaud your innovation and creativity and hope to support and share your work throughout 2024.

Digital versus Face-to-Face

The legacy online meetings, post-pandemic means we, alongside Support Cambs and CCVS, can deliver a comprehensive range of training and network meetings. Juggling the convenience of online meetings and remote working, with real-life meetings is an art! It is so lovely to meet people in person and build relationships (but when that means getting stuck in traffic or grappling with public transport, we may forgo that in favour of the online meeting).

The most memorable events of the year have been our Volunteer Awards, Maple Centre relaunch event, AGM, Strategy and Trustee training were all very enjoyable because they were in-person and helped us to connect and get to know you. This is something we don’t want to lose sight of, after all, many of us will be involved in the sector because by giving our time we wanted stronger connections, we hope that you felt increased connections by attending our events.

However, do link to us on social media as we grow our online community (but don’t worry those of us born pre1995 will still be pushing for the face-to-face meetings)

Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis

Sadly, there are murmurings amongst a small minority of member organisations that 2024 could be a difficult year, where reserves are strained and the donations and grants planned for, fail to materialise, decisions to cut back on costs, change strategy, merge or close may have to be taken. If you are concerned about the sustainability of your organisation please do get in touch if you want to confidentially talk through the options open to you.

Charity, social enterprise or community interest company?

The lines are blurring between being a financially sustainable organisation and trying to generate an income to operate for charitable purposes. This year we have dealt with a large number of queries about the best structure to adopt as people turn their ideas, passions and life experiences to support others but also to make a living for themselves. Working with organisations such as Fitness Rush, Project Abundance and Property Angels, Safe Soulmates demonstrate, that there is no easy answer. We

will continue our work with Allia and Places for People that help us support you to get the right support and learn from each other.

All of you, big pat on the back!

The diversity of our member organisations in terms of the people supported, the changes advocated for and the creativity of the work undertaken is truly amazing, we are in the privileged position to see the overview of what we term the ‘Voluntary and Community Sector’, we are proud to support you and hope you celebrate all that you do.

Have a lovely Christmas all, see you in 2024.

Kathy and Sallyann.