COMMUNTIY groups and local organisations can forge better working partnerships by attending a new lunchtime networking event.

Colchester Community Voluntary Services has teamed up with the Level Best Art Café to put on the free monthly sessions called Lunch and Learn.

The events will be held at the CCVS office in Winsley’s House on High Street and provide an opportunity to find out about the work of a specific organisation and speak to representatives attending from other groups.

A different speaker is set to talk at each event which will feature a question and answer session, along with more informal chats.

Tracey Rudling, CEO of CCVS said: “It’s really important to stay in touch with each other to make sure we’re offering a joined-up service to the community.

’We were keen to make these sessions enjoyable and accessible to everyone so we decided a lunch time would be ideal to fit into the working day. “People can opt to bring their own lunch, but we are really pleased that a fantastic local charity, The Level Best Art Café, has agreed to provide lunches to order which they will deliver to us.”

The café is run by The Dacon Trust on Culver Street East and enables adults with learning disabilities the chance to gain work experience and training.

Manager Alison Ling said: “We’re proud of the great food our trainees produce on a daily basis and really pleased to be able to support these events. People can order directly from us on 01206 366059 and we will deliver to the CCVS office on the day.”

The next event takes place on Monday May 16 between noon and 1pm with guest speaker Sarah Wilson, corporate fundraising partnerships manager at St Helena Hospice.

Lunch and Learn events are free to attend and can be booked by calling CCVS on 01206 505250.