The event was hosted by the Cabinet Office, which is providing over £40m to help small and medium sized third sector organisations delivering support to people affected by the recession, plus a further £16.7m new money announced in the Budget.
Regional Minister Ben Bradshaw MP was attending, along with organisations including the Black South West Network which represents the Black & Minority Ethnic communities in the region.
Ben Bradshaw said:
"The global downturn is presenting a particular set of challenges for our region, and, in these difficult times people look to their local third sector for support.
"The government has pledged over £40m to help the third sector cope with the recession and deliver extra real help to those that need it most. Areas such as Swindon, Bournemouth and Torbay will benefit from a Targeted Support Fund to help the third sector deliver key recession focussed services.
We have announced further measures in the budget to provide new support for the third sector, such as a new Hardship Fund for front line services, worth over £16m.
"Taken together, there is real package of help available which can be of benefit to third sector organisations in the South West
