Community Action Network (CAN) was formed in 2019 from the merger of Poole Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Bournemouth CVS, these charities had a rich history going back over 50 years, and form the foundations of our work today.

We want to ensure local communities are strong, healthy, diverse and thriving. We work in partnership with others to make that happen through:

EMPOWERING the voluntary sector to survive and thrive, by providing expertise, support, development opportunities and training;

ENABLING volunteering through our Volunteering Hub, helping everyone to play an active role in their community;

CONNECTING communities by helping to create conditions where everyone’s voice is valued and heard by facilitating great local networking and communication.

• Our Together We CAN Plan 2020-2025 sets out our strategy, and our values underpin all that we do.
• 2022/2023 A Year in Review – our annual report.

We are proud members of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) – our national membership body – and hold their quality mark (seen as an exemplar holder), and of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) who unite to champion the remarkable role of charities and volunteers, and Dorset Chamber who support Dorset’s businesses and its economy by promoting excellence, driving growth and providing a voice for business.

We offer free membership to any charity, voluntary group, community organisation or public sector service working for the good of the local community – and our members are the heart of everything we do. We also offer a Business Supporter membership, enabling local businesses with a ‘social conscience’ to connect and collaborate with like-minded people.

• Find out how to join us as a member

How we’re run

We’re a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. We are non-profit making and independent of both national and regional government.

We’re member-led by a board of volunteer trustees drawn predominantly from the local voluntary and community sector. Our Board set the strategic direction of the charity and, importantly, our accountability to the sector. They meet quarterly as a board and are supported by a finance committee, which oversees the day to day finances of the organisation. Our policies and procedures are available on request.