The Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN) first took shape in the late 1990s but despite commitment from members had no dedicated staff or resources to achieve its aims or meet the aspirations of its member organisations.
In September 2008 NCAN received funding from the Big Lottery Fund Advice Plus Programme so the Norfolk Community Advice Network Project was able to commence a year later. The project has created the opportunity to revive and strengthen the network and improve partnership working that will help focus the work and resources of local legal and more general advice agencies to meet the needs of Norfolk residents, particularly those most disadvantaged by a lack of high quality, timely advice.
Membership of the network current consists of over 50 agencies across Norfolk from the voluntary, public and private sectors covering the full range of social welfare law subjects.