How the Community Catalyst programme strengthened our work with local partners
“The Community Catalyst programme enables groups to build the governance, strategy and confidence they need to thrive – and when those groups thrive, so do the communities we serve.”
By Annie MacLean, Community Development Officer at ForHousing
At ForHousing, a big part of my role is supporting grassroots community organisations to grow, adapt and thrive. Over the past year, being involved in the Community Catalyst programme has transformed how I’m able to do that.
What the Community Catalyst programme is
The Community Catalyst programme is a national capacity-building model designed to strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of grassroots VCSE organisations. It provides tailored one-to-one consultancy support, followed by the opportunity to access grant funding of up to £10,000, helping groups build the skills, strategy and structures they need to operate confidently and sustainably.
Developed in partnership with the Fusion21 Foundation, Clarion Futures and other major housing associations – Peabody, Places for People, and Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) – it takes a “support first, funding second” approach to ensure funding truly embeds learning and drives lasting change for the organisations involved.
How we came to be involved
The Fusion21 Foundation is a major funder of the Community Catalyst programme, and this enables its housing association members to refer VCSE partners to receive the support available.
ForHousing is a member of Fusion21, and we’ve previously benefited from funding from its Foundation to deliver a project that helped us reach less-heard voices in our communities. Through this membership, we’re also able to access the Community Catalyst programme on behalf of our VCSE partners.
The specialist, tailored coaching available through the programme adds capacity to what we can offer in house, meaning more groups can be supported - and supported more deeply - than before.
What it has meant for the groups we support
Every group is different, so the bespoke nature of the programme is a perfect fit. Our first referral was a small group wanting to formalise as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Through tailored coaching they gained the confidence and knowledge to complete the process successfully, and they didn’t just become a CIO, they also went on to secure £10,000 in core cost funding to support their crucial first year of operation.
Stories like this are exactly why this programme matters: it creates time and space for groups to step back from day to day delivery, ask challenging questions, refine their purpose, and plan for the long term.
How it supports my work and strengthens partnerships
The partnerships between grassroots community groups and local housing associations are vital. I know that I’d not be able to do my role without their support, and like to think that I add value to what they achieve. They know their areas inside out, and the Community Catalyst programme strengthens these relationships by ensuring groups feel confident, well governed and equipped to make strategic decisions.
For some groups, this process leads to a refreshed sense of direction; for others, it brings reassurance and recognition that their mission is being achieved. Either way, it empowers them to make informed choices about their future.
The programme also creates a more balanced partnership. As groups become more confident and resilient, they rely less on us for day-to-day problem-solving. That frees up capacity in our team while ensuring local areas benefit from strong, sustainable organisations rooted in their communities.
Why the programme matters to me
I really value being able to signpost organisations into a programme that genuinely invests in their long term sustainability. It’s a real opportunity to support groups that work hard to make a difference in their communities, and by offering dedicated time, resource, and honest, constructive conversations, the programme helps them develop in a way that’s personal, practical, and truly tailored to their needs.
Ultimately the Community Catalyst programme enables groups to build the governance, strategy and confidence they need to thrive – and when those groups thrive, so do the communities we serve.