Let’s work together to strengthen connection in Cam and Dursley
GL11 Community Hub is calling on residents in Cam and Dursley to share their ideas for tackling loneliness and social isolation in the local community after it was announced that the area will benefit from a three-year investment from The Summerfield Charitable Trust.
The grant, which is part of a Gloucestershire-wide project, aims to bring people together and give them a reason to participate in shared activities, building on existing local strengths. In Cam and Dursley, Community Buddies will work at neighbourhood level to link people with places and to shape the initiative based on residents’ priorities and ideas. A community chest of funding will also be made available, enabling people to trial their own projects and activities in their immediate local area.
The Building Connections: People, Place & Partnership project will be delivered by local charities Forest Voluntary Action Forum, GL11 Community Hub and All Pulling Together, and will work across Stonehouse, Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Cam and Dursley, areas with some of the highest combined risk factors for loneliness and social isolation in the county. More than this, however, these areas all demonstrate great potential for long-lasting change due to existing networks, vibrant community spaces and trusted local organisations.
Through a focus on strengthening belonging, confidence, relationships and the ability of people to contribute to local groups and activities, Building Connections seeks to transform lives and make a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“At GL11 Community Hub we are so grateful for this investment from The Summerfield Charitable Trust and we are looking forward to working collaboratively with other organisations from across Gloucestershire to complete this vital work. Every day we see the impact that living in isolation has on people of all ages; this project will allow us to work alongside our local community to create people-shaped solutions to loneliness in Cam and Dursley.”
“The Summerfield Trust is proud to make this landmark investment in Building Connections. The evidence is clear: people need places, and places need people. This programme brings both sides together in a genuinely transformative way.
By supporting a community owned ecosystem across Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Stonehouse, Cam and Dursley, we are backing the residents, volunteers and organisations who hold their communities together. Their insight, their energy and their determination have shaped this proposal from the ground up.
Our nearly £1 million commitment reflects our belief that every person deserves somewhere to go, people to meet, and a reason to participate. This is a long term, place based investment in the things that make life meaningful – connection, belonging and shared purpose.
We are delighted to stand alongside FVAF, GL11 and APT as they help local people create the welcoming, resilient and inclusive communities they have told us they want and deserve.”