Celebrations at Voluntary Sector North West Conference and AGM 2025

Andy Churchill receiving his award

The team from Wirral CVS attended the VSNW Conference and AGM 2025, which was titled "From Uncertainty to Strength: Building Capacity & Resilience in Our Sector" on the 27th November and had a wonderful time.

Voluntary Sector North West is a key infrastructure organisation that supports and advocates for charities, community groups and social enterprises across the North West.

Debra Alcock Tyler, CEO of Directory of Social Change and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, were the two key note speakers. They were amongst the very best speakers that I have ever had the privilege to hear. They both championed the value of our sector, and the work that VCFSE organisations do, and applauded the tenacity and resilience of the people that volunteer and staff these organisations.

The workshop speakers were interesting and the workshop presented by the Greater Manchester Equality Alliance was personally helpful to me and offered me a different perspective on the topic of working in partnership with people with lived experience.

For more details on the day, and the workshop presentations please click here.

At the Conference during the VSNW's Annual General Meeting, the team at VSNW shared their strategic plan with attendees which introduced the key components of the plan: A connected and influential CVFSE sector, A stronger voice for the sector, A championed and celebrated sector, A thriving and supported workforce, A resilient and sustainable sector.

We celebrated many incredible people at the conference, but my personal favourite was when a friend of Wirral CVS, Andy Churchill was surprised with an award. Andy has worked for Network for Europe for over three decades. Network for Europe recently closed after many years of transformative work for the sector.