Over the past year, WVCA has successfully secured and redistributed £294,000 to 43 different community groups and organisations across the city. These funds have directly benefited more than 2,400 local people, helping to deliver projects that improve health, wellbeing, volunteering, and community engagement.
Funding continues to be one of the biggest challenges for voluntary and community groups, with many organisations facing uncertainty around how to sustain their work. To help, this September we’re launching Funding Month 2025 – a dedicated campaign designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to explore new income opportunities.
Sharon shares highlights from the past year, including preparations for the 2025 UK Recovery Walk in West Park, with events starting 12–13 September, bringing the community together to celebrate recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. She also reflects on her recent visit to The Haven Wolverhampton, recognising the vital work of local services supporting women and children. Sharon emphasises the importance of supporting and valuing VCSEF sector services that rely on volunteers and lived experience to make a real difference in the community.
Sharon shares highlights from recent community events and sector developments, including the 5-year celebration of TNB Connect, supporting the Transgender and Non-binary community, and the South Asian Heritage Month panel at Molineux, featuring Black Country MPs discussing representation in politics. She also updates on national health developments, with NHS England recognising the VCSE sector’s role in inclusive, community-based care and engaging with Alliance42 to shape the future of Integrated Care Boards.
In her latest update, Sharon shares a snapshot of WVCA’s activity from January to July 2025 – including over 115 support interactions with 81 local VCSEF groups, nearly half of which were new to WVCA. Health, wellbeing, community cohesion and funding remain key focus areas.
In her latest update, Sharon reflects on the growing pressures facing the VCSEF sector and highlights new national developments including the launch of the Civil Society Covenant and proposals to improve access to government contracts through procurement reforms – both of which aim to create more meaningful partnerships between government and civil society.