50th anniversary
CVST celebrates 50 years
Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) began life as a steering group, which then became Clacton Council of Social Services in February 1973.
Its ethos was to bring all voluntary services and support together in way that meant people needing help were not forgotten and services weren’t duplicated.
In the first decade, the organisation launched services such as the Tendring Talking Times, a Leukaemia Care Support group, and Clacton Volunteer Bureau and Family Support.
And in the years that followed it started many other groups and services that are still in existence today, though running successfully as independent charities.
Two name changes later, and from employing its first paid member of staff in 1990, CVST has grown substantially, now benefiting from 48 members of staff and boasting more than 200 active volunteers.
It runs more than 50 different groups, classes and sessions every week, supporting hundreds of Tendring residents, as well as offering support, advice and funding to voluntary and community organisations across the district.
Brenda Ellis BEM, chair of CVST, said: “I’m always amazed at the reach of CVST’s services.
“50 years ago, the organisation began as a steering group, but just look at how that has grown.
“Now, in 2023, CVST runs groups in Clacton, Harwich, Walton, Jaywick, and Manningtree.
“So many other great voluntary organisations in Tendring have either begun through CVST or been supported by the wealth of knowledge and expertise the staff here provide.
“And long may that continue.
“I’m so proud to be part of this incredible organisation and witness daily how it helps to change and improve the lives of people in Tendring.”
CVST works across Tendring, from its headquarters at Imperial House in Clacton and it’s Hub in High Street, Dovercourt.
It offers rooms to hire, providing a space for events and meetings, as well as beach huts in Clacton and Dovercourt for community organisations.
Sharon Alexander, CVST’s chief officer, said: “CVST has had an incredible first 50 years, being part of projects that help so many people in Tendring in so many ways.
“For example, we started the Tendring Talking Times, Tendring Community Transport, developed the Tendring Furniture Scheme, Tendring Parentline, and Tendring Carers Support, plus many more.
“In the past few years, particularly throughout Covid, we were reminded of the power of the voluntary sector and CVST, with its outstanding volunteers, shone.
“After 50 years we are still growing and expanding our services, continuing to tackle the issues facing our community and being part of innovative projects such as our Kennedy Way Community Garden.
“We look forward to carrying on that work.”
CVST received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for our exciting heritage projects. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on the 50 year heritage of the charity and its support within the Tendring community.
#50voices
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, our partners, friends and members have been sharing their thoughts and experiences of working with CVST over the years in our #50voices campaign. To read all of the messages so far search for #50voices on our Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter @CVSTendring.
CLACTON
Find out what we do in Clacton
Harwich
Find out what we do in Harwich
Jaywick Sands
Find out what we do in Jaywick Sands
RESILIENCE
Find out about our resilience project
FUNDING & SUPPORT
For local voluntary organisations & charities
Local Volunteering
Find out more about volunteering
Social
Prescribing
Find out about our Social Prescribing Service
Cultural Awareness
Find out about The Cultural Awareness Project
HILL
Find out more about HILL here
Who We Are
About us
At Community Voluntary Services Tendring our mission is 'leading and supporting voluntary action and empowering local people'. We aim to support, promote and develop the community and voluntary sector...
News
Keep up to date with the latest news from CVST, via our E-bulletin and news page, where you can find information on direct support and services, job opportunities, funding opportunities and volunteering.
AFFILIATED MEMBERS
CVST offer three levels of membership: Full, Associate and friend of CVST. By becoming affiliated to CVST local voluntary and community groups can benefit from many services...
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