News & impact

Read the latest news and insights from Spark Somerset and other community groups and charities from across the county.

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A photo of volunteer litter-pickers posing with red litter bags outside of Birchfield Community Centre
Impact story Community space Conservation Volunteering Working together

More than a meeting: how Birchfield is growing together

In Birchfield, residents are working together and making positive changes in their community. Over the past two years,...

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News Working together Young people

Somerset celebrates the impact of youth work

Special event showcases youth work, training achievements, partnerships and young people’s voices. Earlier this month, over 70 youth...

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A photo of a group of children and adults standing together and smiling at the camera. There is a table covered in colourful bunting in the foreground.
Blog Advocacy Fundraising Working together

Helping smaller charities in Somerset get the funding they deserve

How listening turned insight into impact - creating simpler, fairer funding opportunities for smaller charities in Somerset. At...

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A photo of a blonde woman in a red, Stand Against Violence t-shirt, engaging with learners at a training session
Impact story Domestic abuse Education & skills Leadership & management

Stand Against Violence: stronger leadership, safer futures

How funded leadership training helped Operational Manager Aimee McKean grow in her role and steer Stand Against Violence...

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Photograph of Tracey Mock and two other course attendees, they are sitting alongside each other in a village hall and smiling at the camera.
Impact story

Shifting gears on skills and confidence

“Being a small charity, funds aren’t always available for training on the ‘less important’ topics, such as improving...

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A photo of a group of people in a rustic shed, wrapped up in scarves and wooly hats.
Impact story Conservation Financial management Food resilience Fundraising Heritage

This Living Place: growing skills, confidence and rural futures

Our Funding and Enterprise support exists to help groups understand their strengths, find the right income opportunities, and...

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News Governance Volunteering Working together

Government proposes linking volunteering to “earned settlement”

Read our response to the proposals and take part in the consultation. Current Central Government proposals suggest that...

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Blog Advocacy

Decency Over Division – the quiet strength of charities

What role does the voluntary sector play in a world that feels increasingly uncertain? Inspired by the recent...

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Westfield volunteers wearing high-vis jackets and wet weather gear posing next to a sign for Westfield Community Garden
Impact story Community space Conservation Volunteering Working together

How Westfield Community Garden grew from brambles to a brilliant space

An oasis of peace... How our community organisers helped Westfield Community Garden bloom One of the groups we...

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