Devon's online community hub.
Devon Connect is a free community platform linking local people to nearby activities, services, groups and volunteering opportunities.
Originally funded by the National Lottery and initiated by Age UK Mid-Devon, the platform has since grown into a county-wide initiative, driven by a consortium of VCSE partners dedicated to strengthening community engagement across Devon.
At its heart, Devon Connect is a collaborative project designed to maximise impact across the region by pooling resources, streamlining service access and reducing duplication. Today, each locality operates its own digital hub while benefiting from shared technology, best practices and consistent governance.
The challenge: isolated communities and fragmented information
Communities across Devon, particularly in rural and coastal areas, often struggle to access up-to-date information about local services and support. This situation is made worse by cuts to public services and issues like loneliness, poverty and poor health.
With the Council's directory obsolete and under-used (and now no longer funded), VCSE partners saw the need for a shared digital infrastructure that would:
- Strengthen local collaboration.
- Improve signposting and referrals.
- Reduce duplication of effort.
- Provide a “go-to” space for community information and connection.
Our solution: a shared platform for collective impact
Our software offered the ideal foundation to support this ambitious vision. Its flexibility allows localities to tailor their hubs to the needs of their communities, while shared infrastructure reduces costs and boosts efficiency across the wider network.
As Darran Hill from Torridge CVS put it:
Sitting behind this online platform is a strong and established partnership of organisations who are absolutely committed to supporting communities reach their potential.
Key features and outcomes:
Shared backbone
Each partner manages their own area, but they follow shared rules and use the same brand.
Social value
In 2024, Devon Connect created an estimated £626,937 in social value (£381,894 in 2023).
Neighbourly support
Nearly 40,000 volunteer hours have been gifted through the platform in the last four years.
Integrated referrals
Via our integration with the Joy App, healthcare professionals can refer people to local support.
Insightful reporting
Partners use data dashboards to understand user engagement and social impact.
Consistent standards
A shared governance model means listings and user experience remain high quality.
The power of partnership
By working together, Devon's community organisations have achieved more than they could alone. Over 500 organisations have shared more than 4,000 activities, contributing to a growing digital ecosystem of support.
In fact, in 2024:
- 2,445 activities were added to the platform (up from 1,494 in 2023).
- 1,145 new members joined (compared to 917 in 2023).
- The platform attracted 50,083 unique users, a significant rise from 31,169 in 2023.
- There were 240,267 page views, compared to 170,592 the previous year.
- Devon Connect created an estimated £626,937 in social value (£381,894 in 2023).
- For every £1 spent on the platform, an impressive £29.85 in social value was generated.
- Activities, member sign-ups, engagement and total users all saw substantial growth.
Communities tell us they lack up-to-date information about services and support. Devon Connect addresses this, especially for those in rural or isolated areas.
Karen Nolan, Devon Voluntary Action
Looking ahead
Devon Connect continues to evolve as a model of place-based collaboration. With new localities joining the network and ongoing innovation in features like data sharing, personalisation and volunteer matching, the platform is well-positioned to meet the changing needs of Devon’s residents.
The project also sets a compelling example for other regions — proving that with the right tools, partnerships and values, communities can become more connected, resilient and empowered.
In summary...
Devon Connect is run by VCSE partners working together across the county. Each area manages its own hub but shares the same technology, brand and rules to avoid duplication and increase impact.
The platform helps tackle isolation and fragmentation by making it easier to find local support and strengthening partnerships. In 2024, it created over £626k in social value and continues to grow as a leading example of digital collaboration.
