Dear Colleagues,
I am consistently impressed with our VCSEF sector and the people within it. Whenever there may be a setback, I see people come out fighting.
None of our work is easy; we are so often working with people who are in need of services and are at the ‘sharp end’ and so many of us are dependent on the goodwill of our volunteers.
Sometimes it feels like groups and organisations are swimming upstream, but they find a way to carry on, however, in this competitive environment when funding is shrinking and there is greater duplication of the VCSEF sector’s work, we need to be mindful that organisations and groups need extra support.
Last week, I attended the African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) Sponsor Appreciation Event, which was held to recognise and celebrate sponsors and partners who support ACCI’s work.
ACCI is a long standing and respected organisation in the city providing culturally responsive mental health support to Wolverhampton’s African and Caribbean community. It was inspiring to hear directly from people who ACCI has supported and how people’s lives have been directly impacted through their work.
I had the pleasure this week of catching up with Winston Lindsay from the Wolverhampton Wellbeing Hub CIC who told me all about the Community/Social Hub and the ‘1960s Front Room’ which is mainly aimed at older people who may be experiencing dementia but has opened up to the public and all interested groups including schools.
Through the Hub, people can reminisce and talk about a shared past history, which is known to stimulate mental activity and improve well-being.
Finally, we are really looking forward to hosting our free International Women’s Day (IWD) event on Wednesday 4th March 2026 from 11am-2pm at The Workspace, WV21EL. YOu cna book your place here.
The IWD theme is Give to Gain; we are bringing people together to share what is important to them and to provide an opportunity to meet and network, which is what the VCSEF sector generally tell us is important to them.
Finally, if there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
If you would like more information, please remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer
WVCA