Encompass Network promotes a better quality of life for people in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas by enabling networking and capacity-building for the voluntary and community sector.
History:
EN was developed out of a training and development project, funded by Stonewall and led by DHIVERSE and the Cambridge Volunteer Centre in 2002. Following this, an informal LGBTQ+ network formed and met over a two-year period. To facilitate the development of the network as an independent umbrella body, DHIVERSE secured funding from Cambridge City Council on behalf of the steering group, and EN was formally incorporated and registered as a charity in 2006.
Since then, we have developed our role and built a recognised and respected presence in Cambridgeshire, particularly in Cambridge City. This has included coordinating the annual Cambridge History Month events and undertaking and following up on needs assessments for the LGBTQ+ community, including a new 2021 needs assessment we are currently working on.
The context within which we work remains challenging, so, in preparing this strategy, we have taken the opportunity to take stock and explore new ideas for how EN’s activities can develop and grow to make a greater impact for local communities in Cambridgeshire. The 2014 needs assessment had figured particularly strongly in this process.
Our Mission:
Encompass Network promotes a better quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in Cambridgeshire by enabling networking and capacity building for the LGBTQ+ voluntary and community sector.
Our vision is for people in Cambridgeshire to have a strong sense of identity and a good quality of life (being included, safe, and free from discrimination), supported by a vibrant, confident, and effective voluntary and community sector.