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 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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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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News Community space Fuel poverty Money & finance Older people

The Warm Welcome spaces providing a lifeline this winter 

Beating loneliness and the winter chill: Warm Welcome spaces bring comfort and connection across Somerset. “Coming here gives...

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A picture from the Somerset Youth Theatre showing a group of young people smiling, laughing, and pointing
Impact story Art & culture Leadership & management

Somerset Youth Theatre: leadership, community and creativity growing together

Thanks to Shared Prosperity Funding, we've been providing Leadership training and 1:1 support to ensure organisations are built...

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Graphic: composite image showing pages from our 2024 State of the Sector report, with Finance and Funding at the front
News Financial management Fundraising Governance Research

Share your insights in our financial pressures survey

How confident do you feel about your organisation’s financial position right now? A big part of our role...

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