Community360

Community360 Community360 is a charity connecting, supporting and developing communities across Essex.

Through innovation and inclusion, we tackle transport poverty, boost wellbeing and empower all generations to thrive. Community360 are an independent, charitable infrastructure organisation whose aim is to inspire groups to seize opportunities and become more enterprising and sustainable. Established in 1968 to assist charities, voluntary and community organisations in Colchester and Braintree (300+) through any activities which provide representation, enable development, encourage liaison, nurture strategic partnerships and provide support to promote voluntary action. Our frontline services are developed in response to local needs and not only assist established community groups but are designed to address unmet needs, with project development defined by the communities we work with to improve their outcomes and life opportunities. These include Community Development, Community Transport, Shopmobility, Volunteer Centre, Timebank and Community Accounts. We signpost members of the public, provide training for low level skills, apprenticeships and volunteer recruitment. Groups receive assistance on fundraising, business planning, constitutions, policies/procedures, monitoring/evaluation and Quality Marks.

We would encourage all who use Community Transport across Essex to take part in this survey please. If you currently use...
10/10/2026

We would encourage all who use Community Transport across Essex to take part in this survey please.

If you currently use transport or have done so in the past, Essex County Council would be grateful if you could complete this survey to help them to get a better understanding of how current transport choices serve the communities across the county.

Thank you

๐Ÿš ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ ๐Ÿ’ฌ
Essex County Council

10/10/2026
Through collaboration with others, our REI team seeks to identify and understand the challenges that transport poverty c...
09/10/2026

Through collaboration with others, our REI team seeks to identify and understand the challenges that transport poverty causes in our communities.

Transport poverty affects lives every day, limiting access to jobs, education, healthcare and social support. Tackling it is key to creating stronger, fairer and more connected communities.

To find out more about our work visit https://community360.org.uk/research-engagement/
We welcome conversations to explore partnership working, please contact us via [email protected]

Our Research, Engagement and Insight Team at Community360 team bring together community knowledge,  academic expertise, ...
08/10/2026

Our Research, Engagement and Insight Team at Community360 team bring together community knowledge, academic expertise, research and evidence to help build stronger communities.

We work closely with voluntary organisations, public services, health partners and local residents, we make sure lived experience is heard, valued and reflected in decision-making.

We help ensure that evidence informs action and that communities remain at the heart of every project.

To find out more about our team read our blog at: https://community360.org.uk/?p=55247

We welcome conversations to explore partnership working, please contact us via [email protected]

AI and digital transformation are changing the way organisations communicate, fundraise and apply for funding. For large...
08/10/2026

AI and digital transformation are changing the way organisations communicate, fundraise and apply for funding.

For larger organisations with dedicated skills and resources, this presents exciting opportunities, but for many charities and grassroots organisations keeping pace can feel like a significant challenge.

Take grant funding applications as an example.

As AI has become more widely used, applications can be completed and submitted much faster, meaning some opportunities close early due to exceptionally high demand, sometimes just hours after opening.

The challenge isn't technology itself.

It's ensuring everyone has access to the skills, training and support needed to benefit from it.

Perhaps shared learning, collaborative resources and sector-wide digital support could help ensure innovation strengthens the sector rather than divides it.

How can technology become a greater enabler of impact rather than a barrier to entry?


https://community360.org.uk/

Good research starts by listening.At Community360, our Research, Engagement and Insight team combines community engageme...
07/10/2026

Good research starts by listening.

At Community360, our Research, Engagement and Insight team combines community engagement expertise with robust research methods to help organisations better understand the people and places they serve.

We are passionate about helping organisations learn from evidence and share our learning widely. Through accessible reporting, knowledge exchange and partnership working, we offer support to turn insights into practical improvements, influence decision-making and contribute to stronger communities.

To find out more about our team read our blog https://community360.org.uk/blog/meet-the-research-engagement-and-insight-team/
Let's see how we can work together, get in touch with us via [email protected]

When we talk about burnout in charities, are we focusing on the wrong thing? There is growing concern about stress and b...
07/10/2026

When we talk about burnout in charities, are we focusing on the wrong thing?

There is growing concern about stress and burnout across the sector, but burnout rarely happens in isolation.

It often develops when organisations are dealing with:

๐Ÿ”น Rising demand
๐Ÿ”น Funding uncertainty
๐Ÿ”น Recruitment challenges
๐Ÿ”น Increasing administrative expectations

Many charity teams are carrying the weight of pressures that originate outside their organisation.

And while the people working in the sector remain incredibly committed, commitment alone cannot overcome systemic challenges.

Perhaps the solution isn't simply teaching people to be more resilient, perhaps it's about reducing some of the pressures being placed upon them through better funding arrangements, realistic expectations and stronger cross-sector support.

What changes would make the biggest difference to teams across the charity sector?


https://community360.org.uk/

Why does impact reporting matter?Because when we understand and measure the difference we are making, we can learn, impr...
06/10/2026

Why does impact reporting matter?

Because when we understand and measure the difference we are making, we can learn, improve and create even greater impact for our communities.

At Community360, we are passionate about strengthening impact reporting and evaluation practices, collaborating with organisations to find innovative ways that demonstrate outcomes, share learning and put community voices at the centre of their work.

To find out more about our work visit https://community360.org.uk/research-engagement/
Let's see how we can work together, get in touch with us via [email protected]

UK Research and Innovation University of Essex

Come join this spooky creative session!
06/10/2026

Come join this spooky creative session!

Welcome in the spooky season with us this Wednesday for our tarot inspired creative season!

โœจ The details โœจ
Wednesday 7th October
10am to 12 noon
Community360 Winsley's House, High St, Colchester CO1 1UG
FREE to attend

We would love to have you join us for this free creative session! Our creative sessions are open to all adults and all art abilities, with all materials provided, and free tea and coffee available throughout!

If you have any questions, you can reach out to us at [email protected]

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How many organisations can keep absorbing costs before something has to give? Inflation, energy costs, wage increases an...
05/10/2026

How many organisations can keep absorbing costs before something has to give?

Inflation, energy costs, wage increases and employer contributions have significantly increased the cost of delivering services.

Most businesses can increase prices to offset these pressures but most charities cannot.

Instead, many organisations are working harder to absorb rising costs while continuing to support the communities that need them most.

The impact?

Reduced capacity to invest in:
๐Ÿ”น People
๐Ÿ”น Innovation
๐Ÿ”น Future growth

Perhaps longer-term funding arrangements and grant budgets that reflect the true cost of delivery could create greater stability.

If we want resilient charities, how should funding models acknowledge the real cost of delivering services?


https://community360.org.uk/

Address

Winsley's House, High Street
Colchester
CO11UG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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