Introduction
Community Matters is the national umbrella body for community associations and similar multi-purpose community organisations. Although we have members of all sizes, our largest membership group is small to medium sized community organisations. We have other types of organisation in membership, including:
o some single purpose community groups (eg arts groups or BME organisations)
o local authorities
o housing associations
o local infrastructure organisations (eg CVS’, Volunteer Centres and local federations)
The latter three categories of membership are more strategic and help extend our advice and support by passing it on to a wider range of community organisations with whom they work.
Community Matters vision is for active and sustainable communities in which everyone is valued and can play their full part.
Our mission is to support and develop the capacity of community organisations and to represent their interests at a national level.
Community Matters recognises that there have historically been a number of specific underpinning values across our membership and that these are held in addition to more general values such as equality, cohesion and social justice. We believe these are:
Association and independence: The freedom and desire for people to associate and to form groups and associations to further mutual interests and to follow their own agenda without undue influence from other institutions, but a desire to work with the state where possible.
Participation and collective action: The desire to take part, make a contribution and be active in their communities, both individually and by the community acting together and taking control
Mutuality and self help: Volunteering in their own community for the benefit of themselves and their neighbours – moving freely between the roles of volunteer and beneficiary and working together to tackle their own issues with limited involvement from ‘professionals’
Sense of place: A strong sense of belonging within a community and identification with their neighbourhood
Democracy in action: Working democratically together, accountable to each other with fairness, transparency and equitability
Community Matters has ensured our plans for the period 2009-2012 flow from these values and from the needs of our membership.
Click here for a copy of Community Matters Strategic Plan 2009-2011