Voluntary and Community Sector

Voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations, such as charities, community groups and sports clubs, play a vital role in supporting residents.

Support for Community Groups

Our Community Development Team is here to help local VCS organisations to strengthen and develop the services and activities they offer.

We host quarterly forum meetings, training and other events on a range of topics as well as providing networking opportunities
We can help to recruit volunteers for your organisation
We send out an e-newsletter with information about funding, training and events to organisations who are signed up to our VCS database
Our annual Community Awards recognise the contribution of individual volunteers and community groups

We offer different initiatives to help local community groups fundraise and become more financially sustainable:

Our long-running Community Grants scheme offers funding between £500 and £5,000 to cover a range of costs
The Love Blaby Lottery is our weekly online community lottery and is a free fundraising platform for local good causes
Our Funding and Awards officer runs free workshops to help VCS organisations strengthen their skills in applying for funding

We are involved in a variety of projects that support our communities:

We can support the development of community projects, such as Community Fridges and Good Neighbour Schemes. Our Glen Parva Community Fridge opened in April 2025 and prevents fresh food from going to waste
We host a monthly Wellbeing and Coffee Morning for Armed Forces Veterans, with refreshments, activities, support and guidance
Our Youth Council is made up of young people between the ages of 11 and 19 who live or go to school in our district. Their current priorities for 2025 and 2026 are discrimination, vaping and Climate Change