Citizens Advice Rutland are gathering feedback from local groups, organisations and volunteer networks to help them better understand and access the voluntary sector in the area.

Rutland's first ever comprehensive survey of the voluntary and community sector is being conducted by Citizens Advice Rutland (CAR) and Change Agents UK (CAUK) on behalf of Rutland County Council.

Whatever size your organisation, you could help us to develop more effective support for the voluntary sector by completing the first ever Rutland-wide survey of voluntary and community groups.

You'll be able to tell us what issues you face with finances, recruitment, training and collaboration. The data we gather will ultimately help to develop the most effective support for the sector, so we want as many people as possible to take part.

Katy Brown of Citizens Advice Rutland said: "The idea is we would like as many smaller organisations to fill this in as possible. So whether you are on a Village Hall committee or run a sports, art or drama club, we want your views!"

The Rutland Voluntary and Community Sector Survey is now live, and Citizens Advice Rutland is looking for respondents involved with voluntary, charity, faith and community groups throughout the county. At the end of the survey respondents will be given the opportunity to take part in a focus group, running in April or May , which will explore the sector's issues in more depth. 

The survey and focus groups will provide an accurate picture of the sector and as many organisations as possible - large and small – are being asked to take part. The survey can be found on the Citizens Advice Rutland website Home.

Once completed the survey will provide an insight into the organisations that make up Rutland's Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and highlight the sector's development and support needs. The data will provide the basis for a Strategy and Action Plan for the sector. All data published in the report/strategy will be anonymised so the organisation and respondent will not be identifiable.

Complete the survey here.

Your individual survey answers will never be shared.

If you have any problems completing the survey, please email Katy Brown, Community DevelopmentOfficer at Citizens Advice Rutland [email protected]