Warwickshire and Solihull Community And Voluntary Action (CAVA) are pleased to announce that we have been recommissioned by Solihull Metroplitan Borough Council (SMBC) to deliver infrastructure support to the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise Sectors (VCSFE) from the 1st October 2024.
CAVA has been delivering support to voluntary and community organisations in the borough since 2018. In the last financial year, we supported 140 organisations, enabling £1,525,347 of funding to be brought into the borough. We placed 112 volunteers with an economic value of £388, 416 and held 60 events specifically for the sector.
SMBC’s Councillor Wazma Qais, Cabinet Member for Communities said:
“Solihull Council is delighted to announce our continued partnership with CAVA to provide infrastructure support to the VCFSE sectors across the borough. We remain firmly committed to empowering the VCFSE sectors and are excited by the opportunities this renewed collaboration brings. Together with CAVA and other infrastructure support organisations, we aim to enable local volunteers, charities, community groups and social enterprises to serve our communities effectively and sustainably. We look forward to continuing to build a strong, resilient foundation for Solihull’s communities well into the future.”
CAVA’s new contract will continue to focus on funding and governance support for every type of voluntary and community organisation in Solihull
CAVA will also be continuing to support networks and forums across the borough. There will be an increased emphasis on ensuring that the VCSE is visible, has a stronger voice and more influence in local and strategic decision making. With the increase of integrated working across health to reduce health inequalities, the role of the VCSE in prevention and early intervention will be highlighted. As CAVA’s CEO Karen Winchcombe says:
“Whilst the landscape of society continues to bring the sector new challenges, we not only look forward to supporting groups with those challenges, we also look forward to work collaboratively with our partners at SMBC and the wider Integrated Care System to support communities within the Borough”
CAVA has previously supported the Solihull Faiths Forum by reviewing their governing document, holding their funds, and supporting their AGM – see feature picture
