We believe it’s important to spend time with the community organisations we support to see their incredible local impact. Through our four community support programmes: Community Cares Fund, Local Giving, Small Donations and In-Branch Hosting we support charities and community organisations across East Anglia.
In our Community Support Lead Angela's blog series 'Community Connections' she shares her learnings from these visits, shining a spotlight on some of the amazing organisations making a difference in our region.
Community Connections by Angela Carpenter, Community Support Lead
Looking back on these visits to projects we’ve funded through our Community Cares Fund, I’m struck by how three seemingly very different projects are all united by the idea that belonging and community are so important to our wellbeing.
Meeting the people leading and taking part in these projects has shown me that, when people feel cared for and included, their wellbeing improves in ways that can’t always be measured in numbers but are unmistakable when you see the projects in action.
From a programme supporting young people to move beyond trauma, to horticultural courses in Norwich and a creative day service in Maldon, these three projects are having a huge impact on local people’s wellbeing.
Break
Who are they?
Break supports young people in, around and leaving care. We awarded Break a grant of £5,000 funding for their Wellbeing Project; the first part of their Stepping Forward programme which supports care experienced young people to move beyond trauma.
Supported by...
Our Community Cares Fund
Did you know?
Last year’s Norwich and Norfolk GoGo Safari trail was brought to life by Break, with the auction raising £290,000 for the charity. We were proud to be one of the sculpture sponsors.
What I learned
We were proud to award a £5,000 East of England Community Cares Fund grant to Break to support their Wellbeing Project.
The project creates safe, supportive spaces where young people can develop emotional resilience, connect with others, and take steps toward education, employment, and independence. Through creative activities like music, art, and sport, they begin to rebuild confidence and trust, often after facing incredibly difficult life experiences.
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting some of the team at Safari HQ, the main hub for GoGoSafari – the sculpture trail delivered by Break. It was such a joyful, vibrant space, but what really stayed with me was the knowledge that this fun public trail is doing something truly powerful behind the scenes. I wonder how many people walking through realise that by taking part, they’re directly helping to fund projects like this and changing lives in the process.
Charity work like Break’s often happens quietly, but its impact is loud and lasting. Young people who were isolated, anxious, or unsure of their future are now stepping into jobs, education, and independence with confidence.
It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting this kind of work and how even small actions can help make a real difference.
Find out more
Find out more about the work of Break and ways that you can support them: Changing young lives in East Anglia - Break
Norfolk African Community Association
Who are they?
Norfolk African Community Association (NACA) fosters social cohesion in the local area by organising events that promote ethnic integration and mutual learning as well as promote personal development and self-reliance through activities such as training in organic gardening, conservation science and other vocations that foster self-employment.
NACA received a £2,450 grant to go towards their Therapeutic Horticulture and Social Skills training programme, which ran in Norwich last year.
Supported by...
Our Community Cares Fund
Did you know?
Amongst the allotments where the programme runs there are three dedicated areas for mindful time and social events – on our visit we sat in one of these areas to eat a delicious lunch prepared by some of the participants.
What I learned
I recently had the privilege of visiting NACA to see how a £2,450 East of England Community Cares Fund grant is helping to bring their 2025 Therapeutic Horticulture and Social Skills Training Programme to life, and I left truly inspired.
Over 30 weeks, this programme supported 15 new trainees, guided by three dedicated team leaders. Participants learned practical horticultural skills, like growing seasonal vegetables, managing pests, harvesting, and storage, while gaining confidence, purpose, and connection. Each trainee receives tools, seeds, and their own plot, along with printed guides for lasting learning.
But what moved me most was meeting the people behind, and part of, the project. Their passion, warmth, and belief in the power of community were incredible. This isn’t just about gardening, it’s about reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, and offering people a real sense of belonging. I was grateful to them for sharing their precious time and a delicious lunch.
Through shared work and social events, this project is helping people grow, in every sense of the word. I’m proud we could help make it happen.
Find out more
Norfolk African Community Association – Fostering Social Cohesion in Norfolk
19Plus Day Service
Who are they?
19Plus is a day service in Maldon, Essex for adults who have learning disabilities. It runs activities such as yoga, mindfulness, craft and upcycling workshops.
Supported by...
Our Community Cares Fund
Did you know?
As well as their regular activities, 19Plus invites creative professionals to lead monthly specialist workshops in areas such as floristry, jewellery making, photography, music and woodworking.
What I learned
Along with one of our Directors, Martin Catchpole, I visited 19Plus, a wonderful day service supporting adults aged 19 and over with learning disabilities. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so welcome, there was a real sense of warmth, kindness and community that stayed with us throughout the day.
We were invited to join their Monday session, which began with a lovely, calming yoga class that everyone took part in together. After that, we shared the most delicious homemade soup, which had been prepared as a group. Sitting down to enjoy something everyone had helped to make felt really special and perfectly reflected the supportive, inclusive, skill building spirit of 19Plus.
Every single person we met was kind, caring and generous with their time. The atmosphere throughout the day was full of joy, encouragement and genuine connection. It really was the best day, and we left feeling incredibly inspired by the people and the work being done there.
We’re incredibly proud that the East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund grant of £3,600 will support them to expand their creative programme even further.
Find out more
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