Episode 5: Forge Community Church

Ever wanted to transform your local village hall into a thriving community space? Jean McIntosh has done just that! Hear how she and others in the village have helped to give Brampton with Stoven Village Hall a new lease of life - and learn tips on how you could do the same yourself. As Jean says, "we can't individually save the world, but we can make where we live a better place."

Would you like to develop land for the benefit of your local community? Find out more about Community Land Trusts! Hear how Carroll and Bryan from Lavenham CLT developed land near them for the benefit of others. Learn how they went about it, their biggest top tips - and a very clever way of guarding against graffiti. We then speak to Sunila, Community Development Officer in Rural Affordable Housing here at Community Action Suffolk. Find out her perspective and advice on meeting housing needs here in Suffolk. To find out more about our work in rural housing, head to our website: https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/communities/rural-housing/ If you'd like to learn more about Lavenham Community Land Trust, take a look at their website: http://lavenhamclt.onesuffolk.net/

Driving home for Christmas? Join Hannah as she meets The Haverhill Salvation Army and Hour Community for our CASPod Christmas Special! Hear how these groups are helping Suffolk this Christmas, what you can do, and see if you can beat their scores in our super-special festive quiz!

As of last year, central government now has to evaluate social value - but what is it, and why is it important for voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations? Join Hannah and Katrina to boost your knowledge and sharpen your social value skills!

It's Suffolk Action Week, and we've got a podcast takeover! Find out what it's like to be the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at the Hold, and top tips for working in the field of volunteering, as Janet from our Volunteering Team chats to Holly from The Hold! We're very excited to be holding a Volunteering and Community Fair at the Hold on Saturday 9th September 2021. We hope to see you there!

Climate change is becoming an increasingly hot topic, but it can be hard to know where to start. In this climate change special, we chat to Katrina Browning from Suffolk County Council about what's being done across Suffolk - and how small groups and organisations can play their part. 

Have you ever been interested in youth work? Join Hannah as she chats to Becky Warnock from Forge Community Church, and Helen Bateman, our VCSE Youth Development Officer, about the joys and challenges of working with young people. Together they talk top tips for getting started, the impact of the pandemic, and the dangers of working with children and animals!

It's a real treat this month as Hannah joins Jim Manning - former Head of Community Safety at Ipswich Borough Council, Vice-Chair of Anglia Care Trust and seasoned volunteer - and our own Bee Taylor to talk all things community. Together they discuss the challenges of running small groups during Covid, mental health difficulties, the importance of knowing your area...and a very special makeover!

What are 'Friends of' groups? What are the some top tips for setting one up? Learn this and more as we chat to Kim from Friends of Kensington Gardens! 

Join us as we chat to Malcolm from the John Peel Centre about what volunteering looks like, top tips for getting started, and his most memorable volunteering experience...