History

EPNAVCO became a company limited by guarantee on 1st December 2004 and subsequently a registered charity with the support of Cheshire County Council, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council (EPNBC) and EllesmerePort and Neston Primary Care Trust, who agreed to the development of a unified umbrella infrastructure voluntary organisation for the borough of Ellesmere Port and Neston.  EPNAVCO is a membership organisation with membership currently numbering 75.

The initial funding for EPNAVCO, ERDF and County Council, enabled the employment of two Community Engagement Workers and an Administration and Finance Officer. Further funding was obtained from Awards for All and the Positive Learning Fund and a Chief Officer was recruited in August 2005.

In September 2005 an application to the Big Lottery’s Fair Share Trust for the establishment of a Volunteer Centre was successful which enabled the recruitment of a Volunteer Co-ordinator. Further funding was obtained from the Community Fund in December 2005 for the provision of support to smaller voluntary and community organisations. This project started on 1st April 2006.

In addition EPNAVCO entered into an SLA (Service Level Agreement) in December 2005 with EPNBC for the development of a Community Association in Neston. The project is part of the Neston Market Town Initiative, which is funded through the NWDA (North West Development Agency), and included the recruitment of a part-time community development worker to be based in Neston to support the establishment and development of the Community Association until 31st March 2008.

Throughout this time EPNAVCO has been based in Ellesmere Port, initially in premises, which were due to be demolished, and then temporarily at Stanney Grange Community Centre.  In April we moved into our new premises above Ellesmere Port Indoor Market.

The main focus of EPNAVCO’s work has been in Ellesmere Port, particularly within the wards which rank highly on the Index of Multiple Deprivation in terms of social exclusion, income, employment, health, disability, education, housing, service deprivation and child poverty. However the establishment of Neston base through the Community Association project and development of a Volunteer Centre has broadened the base of EPNAVCO.