The Thrive Programme was developed to help organisations navigate these challenges and build strong foundations for the future. Delivered in partnership with the Cranfield Trust, the programme forms part of our wider Funder Plus approach, providing support beyond grant funding through access to expertise, advice and opportunities for development. It is funded through our Thriving Third Sector Fund and Community Resilience Fund, helping us provide additional support to the organisations working at the heart of communities across Essex.
For 9 months participants have worked on their individual organisational priorities, from developing strategic and financial plans to exploring opportunities for growth and improving financial sustainability.
The seventh round of our Thrive Programme has now come to a successful close, having supported a further 11 organisations across Essex to build resilience, strengthen leadership and plan for long-term success.
Leading a charity comes with many responsibilities, from managing finances and securing funding to supporting staff, developing services and planning for the future. Finding the time and space to step back from day-to-day demands and focus on the longer-term direction of an organisation can be difficult.
This tailored support combines one-to-one consultancy projects with experienced Cranfield Trust volunteers, individual mentoring and a series of leadership workshops. Topics include change management, building effective teams, getting the most from trustees, collaboration and partnerships, and income generation.
An important part of Thrive is also bringing charity leaders together to share experiences and learn from one another. Running a small charity can sometimes feel isolating, particularly for those responsible for making important decisions and navigating challenges with limited resources. Connecting with other leaders facing similar experiences provides a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and build lasting relationships.
The value of the programme is reflected in feedback from participants. One leader explained how Thrive had helped them develop a five-year plan for the first time, giving them a clearer understanding of their immediate priorities and how to prepare for the future. Another described gaining a new perspective on the different roles they balance as a small charity leader, and how this would help them approach their work.
Following the successful completion of this latest round, our programme panel has approved a further two years of Thrive, allowing us to continue offering this opportunity to more organisations and their leaders.
We are also developing a new Thrive Plus pilot, which will explore how we can widen the support available to VCSE organisations across Essex. More information about Thrive Plus will be shared in the new year.
As the challenges facing the voluntary sector continue to evolve, ensuring local organisations have the skills, confidence and resources to adapt is increasingly important. By investing in the people and organisations behind our communities, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable sector that is better equipped to make a lasting difference.
Hear from the 2026 Thrive Programme participants: