Established in 1926, The Community Council for Somerset (CCS), operating as Thrive, is a charity working in all corners of the County. We believe everyone in Somerset should be able to live a healthy, independent and safe life and be part of a strong and thriving community.
What they do
CCS are a charity that supports communities in Somerset to thrive.
They believe that everyone living in Somerset should have access to the support they need to meet their basic needs in food, fuel, transport and health.
Their mission
CCS wants to enable change by listening, responding to need and building connections between people and communities.
Wherever you are in Somerset, we welcome collaboration to make our communities stronger.
Their values
They are kind and compassionate
They act with honesty and integrity
Village agent service
CCS Village Agent service supports anyone living in Somerset who is facing a worrying or tough time. This could be because of a number of reasons; health, finances, housing or feelings of loneliness and isolation.
They have a team of over 60 Village Agents who use their local expertise to advocate for people and their communities. They provide confidential, practical community-based solutions for you, wherever you are in Somerset.
You can access your local Village Agent through one of our Talking Cafes, or directly by requesting a call back.
Crisis resilience village agent
Alongside their Village Agents, the Crisis Resilience Agents provide support for people experiencing financial hardship or at risk of crisis. As part of the Somerset Crisis and Resilience Alliance, they help people access the right support at the right time, manage immediate challenges, and build long-term financial resilience. This service is funded through the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF).
To get support, complete our ‘request a call back’ form above and a member of the team will be in touch.
Somerset carers
Caring for another person is very rewarding, but can be overwhelming and lonely at times. CCS Carers Agents are here to help.
They offer practical advice and support, information sessions, carers groups throughout the county, and much more. If you’re an unpaid carer, looking after a friend or family member, we’d love to hear from you.
Community buildings and spaces
Halls, centres, churches, clubs, and shared spaces are at the heart of Somerset life. CCS offers friendly, independent advice and practical support to the volunteers who run them.
Whether you’re new to managing a community space or looking to grow your impact, they are here to help. Find your nearest space on the Community Spaces Locator map.
Rural affordable housing
Local people are finding it hard to afford homes in villages and the countryside.
The Rural Housing Enabler project provides independent support to help deliver affordable homes across Somerset settlements of 3,000 people or less.
Whether you’re a parish council or a community group, they’re here to guide you through the process, keeping your community in the lead every step of the way. They offer tailored advice on planning, funding, identifying land, and working with housing associations or community land trusts.
Every scheme is unique, and adapted to support your stage in the journey.
Funded by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) distributed through ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), a national body representing local organisations such as ours.
They can help identify the number and size of affordable homes needed in a parish, and the downsizing options required. They also help identify potential Rural Exception Sites for affordable homes where private development would not be allowed.
Decarb somerset
This project supported buildings across the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. The project has now closed, but the resources created remain available to help organisations across Somerset better understand their energy use and identify actions that can reduce environmental impact and support a more sustainable future.
