Published 20 November 2025
Community Links Bromley (CLB) launches its Strategic Development Plan 2025-28 at its Annual General Meeting in the presence of The Mayor of Bromley Councillor Jonathan Andrews.
CLB is a membership organisation that supports, promotes and facilitates the development of a strong, diverse, confident and effective voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. This is to enable the sector to improve the quality of life for people and the communities of Bromley. Established in 1965, this year marks its 60th anniversary.
At the meeting the service reflected on the continued challenges faced by the sector and members. Despite the challenges the Chair, Janet Tibbalds, advised that the sector in Bromley continues to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and determination.
The meeting celebrated its successes, success in securing over £1.8 million investment for the Borough’s charities during its contract with the Borough of Bromley; success in doubling website traffic to 65,000 visitors; success in delivering high impact training and governance support; success in strengthening volunteer engagement through brokerage and placement.
She advised that the service remains committed to expanding access and outreach and thanked the services partners and hosts including the South East London College, the Bromley Job Centre, the library service and the Glades.
Janet agreed, “It is good to see that CLB has grown its audiences across all social media platforms, secured substantial new inward investment into the sector, and highlighted best practice at conferences and events. They did this with a small and resolute team of staff and volunteers so my thanks go to them”.
The service took the opportunity to launch its new Strategic Development Plan. Launching the Plan, the Chief Executive, Christopher Evans explained, “in producing the plan, we have listened to a wide range of views, enabling the sector to help shape our vision, and been guided by the findings from the State of the Sector Report (2024).
He explained that the plan aims to “future-proof all operations and ensure that the right and effective level of support and engagement is available to the sector over the next three years”.
He continued, “in renewing our mission we have reviewed and updated our values and are committed to ensuring that the service is informed by and delivered for Bromley’s voluntary sector; that we are a community/user led service.
He advised, “To do that CLB will be establishing a Small Charities Advisory Panel to strengthen the voice of small charities locally and within our organisation”.
He also pledged to work with the sector to develop a sector wide action plan to work with younger volunteers, FE Colleges and Universities locally; to continue its efforts to grow and diversify income streams; and host an annual sector/stakeholder themed conference to share knowledge and facilitate peer support and use to inform local statutory partners.
He concluded by saying that Bromley can be rightly proud of the way our charities, our local communities and our services respond to challenges. It is my view that the response of the voluntary sector and volunteers has continued to be a shining light in challenging times and so my thanks to you all.
A copy of the plan can be found here
