Support Fenland Turns One: A Celebration of Community and Collaboration

On Wednesday, 24 September, we welcomed Fenland’s incredible voluntary organisations, funders, and partners to The Braza Club in March for our Support Fenland Celebration. It was an afternoon full of energy, connection, and pride in what our community has achieved together.

Mark Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Support Cambridgeshire, emphasised how valuable the Support Fenland Celebration was for recognising local achievements. He explained that,

It’s really important to have days like this where we celebrate the work the sector is doing in Fenland.

He went on to reflect on the wider impact of the programme, noting that,

Support Fenland has been able to make sure that all of those organisations get the support, training and knowledge they need to do their jobs even better than they have in the past.

Mark’s words highlight how crucial these gatherings are for both recognising achievements and strengthening the local voluntary sector for the future.

The Support Fenland Celebration brought together around 70 organisations from across the district to mark the first year of this inspiring initiative. It was a day filled with stories, connections, and a shared sense of pride in Fenland’s voluntary sector.

Welcoming Inspiring Voices

The event showcased a series of inspiring stories from local organisations, including:

• Sharon Selman, representing Chatteris WI
• Bryonie Smith, from Phoenix Youth Provision

We also welcomed Tia Halliday from the Community Fund at The National Lottery, who highlighted funding opportunities that can help local groups grow and thrive.

Highlights from the Day

The celebration began with a warm welcome from Marija Lysak, Fenland Development Officer. Mark Freeman then gave an overview of Support Fenland, sharing the vision behind the project, thanking The National Lottery for their support, and highlighting key issues facing the voluntary sector in Fenland.

Marija reflected on the milestone of Support Fenland’s first year. She expressed her pleasure at welcoming over 60 organisations to the celebration and updating them on the progress made over the past year.  Marija highlighted both the achievements to date and the exciting plans for the future, underscoring the ongoing impact of Support Fenland’s work in strengthening the district’s voluntary sector.

Following this, attendees were inspired by presentations from local organisations, sharing their experiences, challenges, and successes.

Funding Opportunities from the National Lottery

Tia Halliday’s update on the Community Fund was an inspirational end to the day, providing valuable insights into funding opportunities and answering questions about how groups can access support to expand their impact, inspiring those in attendance to plan their next moves considering what she shared.

From a funder’s perspective, Tia Halliday of The National Lottery Community Fund encouraged groups to put themselves forward:

Applications from Fenland are down. You’ve got to be in it to win it – if you don’t apply, we can’t fund you. And we want to fund you.

She reassured attendees that formality isn’t what matters most:

You don’t need a professional bid writer. The best applications come from you – because no one can articulate your work better than the people doing it.

Support for Fenland is only possible thanks to the generous backing of the National Lottery Community Fund. This five-year grant has enabled Support Cambridgeshire to move well beyond the pilot phase and build a full programme of training, one-to-one support, networking, and guidance for voluntary and community groups right across Fenland.

It’s the National Lottery’s investment that gives local charities, volunteers and grassroots organisations the stability and resources to flourish, make connections and have stronger impact in their communities.

Wrapping Up and Connecting

Marija concluded the formal part of the day with a summary of key points and next steps for Support Fenland. But the celebration didn’t end there. The afternoon continued with networking over a buffet lunch, giving attendees the perfect opportunity to connect, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations.

One of the strongest themes of the day was the power of connection. With attendees saying,

The network events are so important. They give us ideas you never would have thought about.

Another added,

I don’t just feel like a small charity, I feel part of lots of charities joined together to make one big one.

These reflections highlight how valuable it is to come together, share experiences, and build a sense of collective strength.

The Support Fenland Celebration was more than just an event, it was a showcase of community spirit, collaboration, and progress, reflecting the dedication of Fenland’s voluntary sector and the bright future ahead.

Marija Lysak added,

Fenland is quite a well-kept secret. In just 12 months, we’ve discovered so much, and we want to shout about it.

She went on to emphasise the value of collaboration:

We’re building on the brilliant work already here, making sure we don’t duplicate, but connect and strengthen what’s happening in every market town.

Why It Matters

This celebration marked one year of Support Fenland, a partnership dedicated to strengthening voluntary organisations across the district. Support Fenland is only possible thanks to the generous backing of the National Lottery Community Fund. This five-year grant has enabled Support Cambridgeshire,  to move well beyond the pilot phase and build a full programme of training, one-to-one support, networking, and guidance for voluntary and community groups right across Fenland.

• Supported local groups with training and resources
• Connected organisations to funders and new opportunities
• Created spaces for collaboration and peer support

And this is just the beginning. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Fenland community.

What’s Next

Mark reminded everyone where the real credit lies:

It’s not us, it’s not Support Cambridgeshire, it’s not Support Fenland that does all the brilliant work. It’s you. Our job is simply to help you do what you do better.

He acknowledged the vital role local organisations are playing:

More and more, you are filling the gaps left by statutory services… it’s really important that you are there to do that.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their stories, and helped make the Support Fenland Celebration such a success. Together, we’re proving that when communities connect, great things happen.

If you couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry, there are plenty more opportunities to get involved with Support Fenland in the coming months.

Year two will bring even more opportunities to collaborate, learn, and celebrate Fenland’s thriving voluntary sector, and we’d love you to be part of it.

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