Dear Colleagues,
I’m sure it’s the same for you as it is for me – the days are filled with activities and challenges and time rushes by.
What’s been happening?
On 7th August, I was invited to attend the 5-year birthday celebration of TNB Connect, which Nate Ethan Watson set up to support the Transgender and Non-binary community.
The main theme of the event in Nate’s words was: “Once just a dream born from lived experience, TNB Connect has transformed into a nationally recognised Community Interest Company grounded in peer-led care, visibility, and resilience. Your presence helps amplify all of that and ensures we continue that work, strong and supported.”
Nate came into WVCA a few years ago, and we have kept in touch ever since. Setting up and developing a CIC is hard work, but Nate has overcome a lot of challenges and reached this amazing milestone.
Different acts performed on stage at the University location, which had been kept under wraps until the day before the event. Nate was joined by a special guest and long-time friend, who happens to be quite famous, Hollywood actor Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious). Nathalie held a Q&A with the audience and gave some inspiring and supportive messages.
The celebrations continued into the evening at the Chubb building. Just the logistics and security provisions alone take time and planning so congratulations Nate on a fantastically successful event!
Last night I was at the Molineux attending the South Asian Heritage Month Panel Event, From Roots to Representation: South Asian Voices in Politics. You never know how these things might go but this was an interesting evening with a panel of three Black Country MPs answering a range of questions.
Their personal stories were insightful, from posting political leaflets through doors as a child and growing up in politics, to coming to politics later in life and having a sense of imposter syndrome, to experiencing racism and discrimination, and ultimately being driven to get involved in politics in order to make a difference.
Manny Singh Kang, known in Wolverhampton for fundraising and volunteering, was also there. He is planning to cycle for 24 hours without a break (ouch!) to raise money for Dementia UK @dementiauk; Manny Singh Kang (@pedalsingh) / X.
In other news, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has started to outline its new executive structure in preparation for formal takeover of NHS England functions by April 2027.
NHS England has responded to Alliance42’s letter on ICB functions. Alliance42 is England’s 42 ICS-VCSE Alliances hosted by NAVCA (we are involved as part of the Black Country Alliance). These are complex areas of work, however, the gist of the response is as follows:
- NHSE recognises the VCSE sector’s contribution to more inclusive, community-based models of care.
- Draft Model ICB blueprint is described as an early starting point.
- Further development will include engagement with VCSE partners.
- The response highlights the role of VCSEs in delivering strategic commissioning, health equity, social value, and supporting the three NHS shifts.
- NHSE is working with the Experience and Partnerships team to ensure VCSE voices are represented as the Model ICB evolves.
This is a positive sign that Alliance42’s collective voice is influencing national thinking on the future role and function of ICBs. There will be further updates in due course.
In conclusion, as I always say, please remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
If you have any issues or would like to hear more about something, please get in touch with me at sharon.nanan-sen@wvca.org.uk.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer