Projects

Our projects are areas of work, supported by ring-fenced funding from local and national funders, each designed to achieve specific outputs and outcomes in priority service areas. Projects may be ongoing or stand-alone, but all are planned around the needs and priorities our communities tell us they have, ensuring that delivery is relevant, practical, and impactful. In this way, RCAN not only fulfils the requirements of funders but also creates lasting benefits for rural Nottinghamshire by broadening our reach and helping our communities to thrive.

Say Now – Supporting Community Spaces & Volunteers in Broxtowe

Working Together for Stronger Communities
Start Action Yourself or 'Say Now' is here to support the amazing people who run our local halls, community centres, and volunteer groups. These spaces are at the heart of our towns and villages – places where people come together, share experiences, and feel connected. We know how much effort it takes to keep these venues running, often by volunteers giving their time and energy for the benefit of others. Thanks to one year of funding from the Broxtowe Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), we can now extend our offer to provide free support, training, and events to help strengthen community facilities and the volunteers who run them in the Broxtowe District That’s where Say Now comes in.

What We Offer

One-to-One Support: Practical guidance to help you manage your community building, find funding, recruit volunteers, and plan for the future.
Health Checks: Friendly reviews of how your hall or venue is doing, looking at everything from safety and governance to community use. You’ll get a simple action plan and resources to help you move forward with confidence.
Training and Cluster Groups: We run themed training sessions and cluster groups that bring volunteers, committee members, and community leaders together. These informal gatherings are a chance to share ideas, swap experiences, and learn from each other in a supportive space.
Volunteer Development: Helping to create and support volunteering opportunities – whether that’s finding new people to get involved or supporting existing volunteers to feel valued and confident in their roles.
Celebrating Success: Showcasing the great work done by local groups and highlighting the difference volunteers make every day.

Why Cluster Groups Matter
The cluster groups are about connection. They provide a safe and welcoming space for different community groups to come together, talk through shared challenges, and celebrate successes. It’s about learning from one another, finding out what’s working in other communities, and building lasting relationships that make every group stronger.

Get Involved
If you run a community hall or volunteer group in Broxtowe, Say Now can help. Whether you need a quick piece of advice, a full Health Check, or just want to join a friendly network of like-minded people. No need to be a member, we’d love to hear from you.

Talk, Learn, Connect – Supporting Community Buildings in Rushcliffe

Talk, Learn, Connect is a programme designed to strengthen village halls, community centres, and other community run facilities across Rushcliffe.

Through this initiative, Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN) is providing support to up to 30 local buildings, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Need branding

The project offers:

A friendly Health Check to understand how each building is operating and where extra support could help.
Feedback reports with practical steps to improve sustainability and increase use.
Networking and learning opportunities, bringing together volunteers to share ideas and access expert advice.
One-to-one guidance for facilities that need additional tailored support.
A celebration event to highlight achievements and share good practice.

Talk, Learn, Connect will run until March 2026, helping to build confidence among volunteers, explore funding opportunities, support recruitment, and strengthen the role of community buildings as valued local assets.

Cluster Forums

Our Cluster Forums are free support sessions designed for the dedicated volunteers who manage village halls, community centres, and other community facilities across Nottinghamshire.

These events bring volunteers together to share experiences, tackle challenges, and access practical support on issues like governance, funding, health and safety, energy efficiency, and volunteer recruitment. Sessions often include expert guest speakers, hands-on learning, and plenty of time for networking and peer support.

Cluster Forums are delivered as part of several funded projects, including Talk, Learn, Connect in Rushcliffe, Say Now in Broxtowe, and our Severn Trent supported countywide programme. They and are also available to our RCAN members. Contact us to find out more and join our memebership.

The forums typically regularly throughout the year in different locations, supported by one-to-one advice and follow-up resources as needed. Recent forums have seen more than 70 volunteers from 40 rural community halls come together, with overwhelmingly positive feedback and many saying how valuable it is to know “we aren’t alone.”

More testimonials

What they offer

Free training and guidance for management committees and volunteers
Practical resources to help keep community buildings safe, sustainable, and welcoming
A space to connect, share ideas, and learn from others facing similar challenges

Cluster Forums are free of charge in funded areas and for RCAN members.
If you would like to join our mailing list or book your place at an upcoming forum, please get in touch with the RCAN team.

Rushcliffe Project Delivery

RCAN is proud to deliver services on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council through a dedicated Service Level Agreement. This two-year partnership focuses on strengthening local communities by:

Supporting parish and town councils through forums, conferences, and tailored advice.
Helping local groups and village halls respond to real challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis, energy efficiency improvements, and carbon reduction planning.
Providing ongoing support for new projects, community initiatives, and governance development.
Ensuring that the needs of all communities, including the Gypsy and Traveller community, are recognised in local policy and practice.
Assisting community groups with capacity building and funding searches to make their projects sustainable.

This work is fully ring-fenced to Rushcliffe, ensuring that borough priorities are met while staying rooted in the needs expressed by local residents and groups

Travelling Together Project

RCAN’s Travelling Together project provides targeted, culturally sensitive support for members of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) community across Nottinghamshire. Many families face barriers in accessing health care, housing, welfare, and financial services, and this project ensures they receive practical, respectful support.

Through one-to-one advice, crisis support, and advocacy, we have:

Supported 165 people in the last year, addressing over 300 individual issues.
Generated more than £244,000 in additional annual benefits for clients.
Helped manage £66,000 of debt through payment plans.
Connected families to healthcare, housing, and education services.
Built long-term trust with a community often hesitant to engage with statutory agencies.

Case studies show how the project has transformed lives – from helping a bereaved woman stabilise her housing and finances, to safeguarding a mother and six children fleeing domestic violence by securing safe accommodation, benefits, and school placements.

By adopting a relationship-based, culturally competent approach, Travelling Together improves financial stability, health outcomes, and community trust, leaving a lasting impact on families who are often furthest from support.