Throughout May, Castle Quarter in Norwich is giving local charities and community groups exhibition space to help them reach more people and explain why their work makes such a difference.

‘Bloom Together’ gives local small charities, community groups and voluntary organisations the opportunity to have a stand in the busy social, lifestyle, and leisure destination, share their message, grow their support, and raise awareness at a time when many not-for-profit organisations are facing increasing financial pressure.

So far, 13 organisations are taking part, including the RNLI, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, and Get Me Out the Four Walls. More are set to appear throughout the month, with groups ranging from mental health support, wildlife protection to community radio.

“Having strong local support can make all the difference”

“Small charities and community groups are the backbone of Norfolk, but many are under serious strain,” says Gemma Hyde, Marketing and Administration Manager at Castle Quarter.

“We have space to share in the centre, and hope that by offering it out we can give charities and community groups a high-footfall location to reach new people. They may wish to use their stand to raise funds, recruit volunteers, or simply be seen and heard by their community. Having strong local support can make all the difference to charities and non-profits, and we’re proud to play our part.”

‘Bloom Together’ at Castle Quarter comes as a recent report from Empowering Communities revealed that many Norfolk and Suffolk charities are struggling to secure long-term funding while navigating soaring costs, making local visibility more important than ever.

Emma Smith, Voluntary Norfolk’s Development Manager, said: “We welcome opportunities to promote our offer to the wider community. Volunteering is great not just for the people who benefit from the extra support, but also for the volunteers who gain new skills, make new friends or get a real sense of achievement or purpose as a result of the time they put in. We are very grateful to the Castle Quarter for allowing us and so many other Norfolk charities and groups to showcase what we offer in Norwich and beyond.”

“With thousands of people passing through Castle Quarter every week, this is an opportunity for charities, social enterprises and community groups to reach new audiences,” added Gemma. “We’d love to hear from any organisations who would like to book some stand space.”

Castle Quarter’s support for local organisations isn’t restricted to just this month. “In the past, we’ve hosted charity fire walks in the Castle Gardens for the Big C, a sponsored dance-a-thon, and even a ladder-climb by a team of firefighters. Come to us with an idea for your charity fundraiser or event, and we can chat about ways we can support you at Castle Quarter,” Gemma concludes.

To get involved in ‘Bloom Together’ email your interest to info@castlequarternorwich.co.uk

Charities and groups who can be found in Castle Quarter during May’s Bloom Together campaign include:

6 May: RNLI

7 May: Get Me Out the Four Walls

10 May: Norfolk Wildlife Trust

13 May: Voluntary Norfolk

14 May: East Anglian Air Ambulance

20 May: The Hamlet Charity

21 May: Future Radio

22 May: Access to Music

24 & 25 May: The Forum Norwich

27 May: Sue Lambert Trust

28 May: The BUILD Charity