The Community Council for Somerset (CCS) is a Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee and operates across the whole of the county of Somerset. Established since 1926 we deliver personalised support and services for rural (and urban) communities in Somerset, to enable them to shape their own futures, address vulnerabilities and make their place the perfect place to live; we help when others can’t, won’t, or don’t. Our beneficiaries are communities as a whole although our programmes often focus on (or are preferentially accessed by) the more vulnerable people in those communities such as older people, young people and people struggling to access local services and/or employment. Our vision is for vibrant and viable communities with healthy, happy people and strong, sustainable businesses – the perfect place to live and our mission is to support action in Somerset’s communities enabling them to be vibrant, viable and resilient.
The practical advice and support we offer is based on long experience, sound local and technical knowledge and our passion to help people achieve their goals. This includes: Community Buildings Advisory Service - specialist advice for those managing a community building/village hall, including a nationally recognised Hallmark quality standard. Support for utilising community rights, consultations, community engagement, Neighbourhood or Community Led Plans and Housing. Surveys and market research including housing needs surveys, funding advice and support, governance reviews, event management, business planning support, design and marketing services. Support for local Social and Community Enterprises Helping people to reduce their energy bills through bulk buying, energy efficiency and supplier switching as well as directly supporting vulnerable people with fuel bills through the Surviving Winter Grants scheme We administer the Bishop Fox’s Education Foundation grant scheme Delivering the county-wide Somerset carers Service to help unpaid carers - website here;https://somersetcarers.org/> Somerset Village Agents In hundreds of communities across Somerset our highly trained, professional Village Agents work with individuals and communities to help bridge the gap between isolated, excluded, vulnerable and lonely people and services offered by statutory and voluntary organisations. They live locally and support people of all ages with a wide variety of issues. Village Agents, supported by other CCS advisers, work with communities to help them shape services by gathering evidence of need. They motivate communities to respond to local needs by working together to implement their own solutions (such as social groups or local car schemes) and by providing information and signposting. Community Agents also work with Adult Social Care teams and at the main acute and community hospital settings across the county.
