Exeter CVS leads the way on innovation

Exeter CVS has been recognised as a Beacon for Change by BIG Assist, a lottery-funded programme to strengthen social enterprise and voluntary sector infrastructure, and to build social action.

Beacons for Change are organisations which have benefited from BIG Assist support and are now recognised as leading the way on adapting to changing circumstances, developing new approaches to meeting community need, and building cross-sector relationships.

As a Beacon for Change, Exeter CVS will become part of a national network with opportunities to inform policymakers, funders and the BIG Assist programme itself. They will share learning through their networks as speakers and case studies, and help build the confidence of others to think in new and creative ways. This will lead to voluntary sector infrastructure becoming more connected and better resourced.

Exeter CVS is currently working with Exeter City Council and other partners to develop the organisation’s base at Wat Tyler House in Exeter’s King William Street into a wellbeing hub, aimed at reducing health inequalities for the city’s most socially excluded communities. Building work has begun on the project, which will open later this year, and will feature a specialist GP surgery together with housing, mental health, criminal justice and substance misuse services.

Other CVS projects include a personal development through horticulture course, delivered in partnership with Bicton College, which has seen learners developing part of the Bishop of Exeter’s Palace Garden into an “urban farm”, growing fresh fruit and vegetables; and an ambitious programme to raise £1 million of social investment to reduce alcohol-related offending and health costs in the city.

Chief Executive of Exeter CVS, Simon Bowkett, said, “We are delighted to have the recognition from BIG Assist that Exeter CVS is leading the way locally in supporting the voluntary and social enterprise sector to help meet community needs at a time when public services are facing such huge challenges.

We are proud of the work we are doing with the City Council, Devon County Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, the local Clinical Commissioning Group and others to create new ways to respond to local needs – and this recognition is a great credit to our team of managers, staff and volunteers who care so passionately about our community, and are working so hard to lead change.”

To find out more about the work of Exeter CVS visit www.exetercvs.org.uk