Please tell us your views about the proposed merger
We want to hear from you!
Earlier in the year, the Trustees of Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS) and Hunts Forum for Voluntary Organisations (Hunts Forum) announced their intention to explore a potential merger of the two organisations.
We would now like to know what you think about the proposed merger in a short survey. There are just four questions about your views. Please take the time to let us know. Your view is important to us.
We ask members, groups, stakeholders, funders, and those interested in our work to complete the survey below by September 17th, 2024.
If you need any help completing the survey, email – info@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk
About the merger – The Trustees feel that, in the past 5 years, there has been a significant increase in collaborative work undertaken under the shared brand of Support Cambridgeshire. Coupled with this the announcement of the retirement of Julie Farrow, the CEO of Hunts Forum, in April 2025 there is an excellent opportunity to look at a new way forward.
Both Trustee boards feel that this potential merger is an opportunity to improve and simplify the services on offer to Cambridgeshire charities and community groups by bringing all services and support under one single charity. The proposal would be to merge the organisations under the Support Cambridgeshire brand. Support Cambridgeshire would keep its existing bases in Huntingdon and Cambridge as these facilities sit in key delivery locations and provide an important hub for stakeholders, members and other partners.
Under one single charity, we would also be able to simplify and build our communications and refine our hugely valuable support and training offer.
The Trustees have arrived at this decision in light of both organisations being in a positive position both financially and reputationally. Collectively they feel that, as one unified charity, Support Cambridgeshire can more effectively and efficiently support and represent the sector. The aim of the merger would be to improve and streamline what is on offer to the sector and not be about reducing services. The Trustees believe that this will be in the best interests of both organisations – and the staff – and that it will result in a stronger and more sustainable organisation.
The Trustees confirmed that they will keep everyone updated with the project; and ultimately it will be up to the members of both organisations to make the final decision on the merger. The plan would be for members to make the decision at both AGM’s in November 2024 if this is fully agreed and endorsed by Trustees as the best route. Before that stage the Trustees of both organisations will carry out extensive due diligence and consultation to ensure that merger is the best way forward.
