Community Matters stands for the collective action of ordinary people within their neighbourhood through inclusive, locally-rooted and accountable community organisations.

These local community groups and their volunteers are the backbone of civil society; and are essential to the welfare of the neighbourhoods in which they operate and the individuals that live there.

We aim to be the principal membership organisation for community groups, support organisations, public bodies and individuals that share our belief in the core values of association, participation, collective action and community volunteering and that are working to build strong communities.

Our work promotes:

• Stronger bonds between neighbours, where inclusive relationships build trust and mutual support and create communities in which everyone is valued.
• Stronger bonds between all communities, where diverse relationships are strengthened and fear, mistrust and social breakdown are prevented.
• Active and enterprising neighbourhoods, where local people come together to participate and work in partnership to contribute to a vibrant community life
• Self help, where people can work with business, government and others to find their own solutions to local problems
• Space for open debate, where local people’s voices can be heard and their opinions valued
• Community identity, where local people have a sense of belonging and pride in their neighbourhood