5 Years on: 4 Things We Learnt from the Pandemic
Building a Stronger Norfolk: A Roadmap for Real Partnerships
At Norfolk Community Foundation, our goal is to create lasting change in local communities by bringing together charities, businesses, and public services to make a difference in Norfolk. Recently, we looked back over Devon Community Foundation’s “Roads to Renewal” report, which highlighted key lessons they learnt from the pandemic. 5 years on, as we look back on their findings, we’ve taken the time to reflect on the key lessons we learned during that period and how they have shaped and strengthened our mission today.
The impact of COVID-19 is still being felt, and for many people, it’s far from over. For us, the pandemic was a tipping-point, where suddenly people saw the value of the local – in fact, we saw our donor base expand threefold during the period as ordinary people backed the change we were enabling. Let’s take a look at how the pandemic helped us refocus on making Norfolk’s community support even stronger.
1. The Power of Community Action
The pandemic showed Norfolk something we already knew: local charities and community groups are crucial. Without a rule book to manage a crisis, government looked for a way to quickly get support down to grassroots level. The solution? Local charities. From small volunteer-run groups to larger charities, these organisations were quick to act, offering emergency help, mental health support, and essential services when people needed them the most. For the first time, Norfolk saw first hand how local groups took action rapidly and pivoted to support their communities in new ways. The Devon report underscores how crises can be catalysts for change, and opportunities for communities to show what they’re really made of. It also reminded us how important it is for charities and public services to work together. When they do, they can bring lasting improvements to people’s lives.
2. Collaboration, Not Competition
The Devon report highlights how emergency conditions allowed organisations to set aside competition and work together instead of competing against each other. During the emergency, many groups came together to tackle challenges like hunger and isolation. We want to continue this spirit of cooperation long after the pandemic. At Norfolk Community Foundation, we bring together charities, businesses, and public services to solve problems in our communities. Working with local businesses to unlock not just funding, but skills, assets and resources, we’re helping to bridge gaps by going beyond the charitable sector and fostering new collaborations. By focusing on working together, we can build a more supportive and connected community.
3. Involving Charities in Decision-Making
One of the Devon report’s key recommendations is ensuring that people who lead community organisations have a say in the decisions that affect their communities. Too often, charities are seen as just the ones who deliver services, but we believe they should also have a role in shaping the bigger picture. At Norfolk Community Foundation, we make sure charity leaders have a voice in local planning and decisions. Through initiatives like the Nourishing Norfolk network and the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People, we help community organisations take the lead in solving local issues. By truly working together with local charities, we can create services that are based on real community needs and ideas.
4. A Need for Flexible, Long-Term Funding
One of the biggest takeaways from the Devon report is the need for funding that’s flexible and long-term, instead of short-term with strict rules. At Norfolk Community Foundation, we believe funding muse help charities stay flexible, so they can keep focusing on what matters most: helping people. This approach means funding that doesn’t come with lots of restrictions, allowing charities to adapt to new needs as they come up. This kind of funding helps create strong and lasting support for our communities, something we’ll keep working toward in Norfolk through funds like Love Norfolk. This fund is there year after year for charities and is powered by the Norfolk 100, who give to support charities now and in future.
The lessons from Devon are clear: when the VCSE sector and public partners work together with trust, transparency, and shared purpose, communities thrive. At Norfolk Community Foundation, we are committed to continuing this work and building on these lessons. By supporting flexible funding, encouraging cooperation, and making sure community voices are heard in decisions, we can create a stronger and fairer Norfolk for everyone. This is more important than ever, as the challenges from the pandemic still impact so many people today. Together, we can keep working to make our communities better and more resilient for the future.
Norfolk Community Foundation: Part of UK Community Foundations
UK Community Foundations is the national membership organisation for 47 accredited community foundations around the UK that have a collective presence in every postcode. Community foundations bring together people and organisations wanting to make a positive difference to communities through place-based philanthropy.
