A new community-focused initiative has launched across the North West with the aim of helping charities, CICs, grassroots groups and voluntary organisations more easily access funding opportunities, training, support and community resources.

The North West Third Sector Network has been created in response to a growing challenge faced by many organisations across Liverpool City Region, Halton, Knowsley and the wider North West — simply keeping track of the support available.

The network will act as a central hub for sharing>

• Funding and grant opportunities
• Digital inclusion initiatives
• Free training and development support
• Volunteer opportunities
• Community projects and partnerships
• Resources for small organisations

The initiative has been developed by Amanda Martins of Liverpool-based managed IT provider MICT, a business that has worked extensively alongside charities and community organisations throughout the region for many years.

Amanda said:

“Through our work with charities and grassroots organisations, we regularly come across fantastic funding schemes, training programmes and support opportunities, but many smaller organisations simply don’t have the time or capacity to constantly search for them.

We wanted to create something simple, accessible and community-focused that could help connect organisations with opportunities that may genuinely make a difference to the people they support.”

MICT has built a strong reputation for supporting the third sector across the region, working with organisations ranging from small community groups through to larger charities, while also supporting digital inclusion projects, refurbished IT initiatives and community partnerships.

The new network is designed to be collaborative, with organisations encouraged to share opportunities, events and support that may benefit others within the sector.

Amanda added:

“There are so many incredible organisations across Liverpool City Region and the North West doing vital work within their communities, often with very limited resources. If we can help make funding and support information more visible and easier to access, then hopefully we can play a small part in strengthening the wider sector.”

The North West Third Sector Network can be found on Facebook and is open to charities, CICs, community organisations, volunteers and local groups across the region.

Follow the network here:

https://www.facebook.com/NorthWestThirdSectorNetwork