We are delighted to be able to launch Exeter Connect, a new service that provides free, independent information and advice to existing and new community organisations in the city.
We are delighted to be able to launch Exeter Connect, a new service that provides free, independent information and advice to existing and new community organisations in the city.
Exeter Connect is a partnership between Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) and Exeter City Council, who are providing the funding for the service.
Steven Chown, Chief Executive Officer, Exeter Community Initiatives, said: “We are really pleased to be starting this new service. ECI has a long track record of supporting smaller community groups. Exeter Connect will give us the chance to offer more sustained support to local organisations and help to develop ideas and activities that will make a real difference to community life.”
Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Communities and Culture, said that the Exeter Connect programme is part of a wider investment by the council into supporting local communities which includes Wellbeing Exeter Community Builders, our Community Grants Programme and funding for Citizens Advice Exeter.
“Exeter Connect have a key role in helping to ensure that support is available to community groups and organisations across the city to build capacity, becoming sustainable and resilient in the future. This resource will help deliver our priority to build great neighbourhoods and improve quality of life in our local communities.”
Laura Robinson, Project Manager, Exeter Community Builders said: “It is great that Exeter now has a service like Exeter Connect. A Community Builder can only help so much with the development of a group or organisation, and now we have a service to guide them to for free, practical support. We often receive queries around training needs, constitution or structural options, or funding routes. Now we can pass these queries on to Exeter Connect for bespoke support. This is a great thing for community action in Exeter.”
Tony Dale from Wood for Good Exeter said: “Exeter Connect have taken time to support us to grow from a not-for-profit group into a community interest company. They have provided professional guidance and given us clear direction to better support Wood for Good Exeter CIC and the community to thrive.”
To find out more about Exeter Connect, visit their website: https://www.exeterconnect.org.