What we’ve learned from the first year of our Community Anchor Development Programme
“We want to stay true to our priorities.”
That simple statement, shared by one of the eleven community anchor organisations we support, says it all. Staying true to local values, even while juggling funding pressures, changing needs, and everyday challenges.
As we look back on the first year of the Community Anchor Development Programme (CADP), this theme runs through every lesson we’ve learned: the importance of holding on to what matters most, even as things change.
What is the CADP?
The Community Anchor Development Programme, funded and supported by Building Communities Trust (BCT), is all about strengthening the organisations that sit right at the heart of their communities.
We’ve committed £150,000 of flexible funding over four years to eleven organisations across Wales. That flexibility matters as it means each group decides for themselves how to use the funding to build capacity, strengthen leadership, and prepare for the future.
The CADP builds on lessons from Invest Local, using BCT’s Community Resilience Index to identify areas where community infrastructure and engagement are weakest. But this isn’t just a funding pot – it’s a partnership. The programme brings peer support, shared learning, and relationship-based funding that prioritises trust over red tape.
What did we encounter?
1. Challenges
No surprise here - Year One came with plenty of hurdles. Some groups faced delayed refurbishments or lost leases; others struggled with staff burnout or stretched capacity. But these organisations are nothing if not resourceful.
One group saved £8,000 by switching to low-carbon energy.
Another lost a lease on a new building, so instead began developing a modular unit on their car park instead, making the most of what they already had.
It’s that adaptability and flexibility that keeps these organisations moving forward.
2. Volunteering
Volunteers are, as ever, the heartbeat of these organisations. From managing buildings to running activities, their roles are growing and so is the recognition they receive.
We’ve seen groups introducing volunteer wellbeing rooms, reward schemes, and leadership training. But with more volunteers comes the need for better management systems and stronger wellbeing support, and many are already stepping up to meet that need.
3. Support from BCT
A common thread in the feedback we have received is how different BCT’s approach feels compared to traditional funders. As one participant put it: “I feel I could pick up the phone to them any time.”
That sense of partnership – not just paperwork – has made a real difference. From the first part of the application process to ongoing support, the relationship has been consistent, honest, and human.
4. Data and impact
Most organisations still rely on informal feedback and personal connections to measure impact. That’s great for community relationships, but trickier when it comes to evaluation.
Year Two will focus on strengthening data collection and evidence – helping groups tell their stories through numbers as well as narratives. Already we’re seeing progress: more robust governance, creative case study videos, and growing confidence around financial sustainability.
Outcomes
When we look at what’s changed, we can see two main strands of progress:
Operational outcomes – how organisations are developing internally.
Community outcomes – what’s changing for the people they serve.
Operational outcomes so far:
More trust and confidence in volunteers, thanks to better management
Increased delegation of responsibility
A faster, more proactive pace of work
Stronger governance and planning (“We finally have space to plan!”)
Greater focus on evaluation and learning
A cultural shift towards shared leadership and wellbeing
A move from short-term firefighting to long-term thinking
Community outcomes so far:
More tailored services, particularly around mental health and family support
Broader generational mix engaging in activities
Expanded social events reducing isolation and loneliness
Improved site facilities and community spaces
More volunteers feeling confident, valued, and supported
Looking ahead - holding on to what matters
Perhaps the most inspiring finding from our first year is just how determined these organisations are to stay true to themselves.
Even as they grow, professionalise, and scale up, they’re fiercely protective of their “heart and soul.” They want to build stability without losing that grassroots spirit that makes them trusted, loved, and effective.
That’s exactly what the CADP is here to protect and to nurture. By combining flexible funding, honest relationships, and space to reflect and learn, we’re helping anchor organisations across Wales grow stronger without losing sight of what matters most: their people, their place, and their purpose.