About Us

We are a voluntary and community sector service funded by Exeter City Council, providing support and advice to help community groups in Exeter.

“It’s great to know that there are people locally with the knowledge and expertise to help us when the need arises.”

- Nigel, St Leonard’s Neighbourhood Association

How we can help...

Our purpose is to provide free, independent, professional and practical support to existing and new community organisations in the city to help them develop and become self-sustaining.

Our vision is for Exeter to be a place where residents, community groups and organisations can grow and thrive in order to make a difference to their lives and the lives of their communities.

We can support you with any query relating to the development of your organisation including, but not limited to:

  • How to start up a group, organisation or residents’ association
  • Structure and governance
  • Business planning
  • Practical requirements of running a group e.g. insurance, safeguarding & data protection (GDPR)
  • Holding funds
  • Grants information
  • Funding applications
  • Establishing your group - for example attracting new members or working on your vision or ambitions
  • The role of trustees, secretaries, treasurers and/or directors
  • Organisational health checks
Maisaa - Community Builder

“I’d say it was close to jolly perfect. I’m blown away frankly, everything was covered and summarised and enough time for questions…I can’t think of anything more you could do!”

- Feedback from an event attendee

“Exeter Connect was vital for our project to become a reality. They were able to hold funds so we could complete a Covid response project for care homes in the Exeter area. We were also able to gain their support to deliver a similar project to rural areas of Dartmoor. As a small collection of theatre artists, we found Exeter Connect to be empowering, positive and productive for our journey and for future steps.

- Charlie, By Design Theatre

Community Building

Our Development Workers work closely alongside the Exeter Community Builders. The Community Builders work at a neighbourhood level to build confident, more connected communities by identifying and mapping what exists in the community, listening to residents and improving links between local people and organisations.

“Exeter Connect have taken time to support us to grow from a not-for-profit group into a community interest company. They have provided professional guidance and given us clear direction to better support Wood for Good Exeter CIC and the community to thrive.”

- Tony, Wood For Good Exeter CIC

If you have an idea that you would like to discuss, we would love to hear from you!