Sector Leaders Group Update (23rd July 2026)

Gareth Prytherch
Jul 23
4 min read

Updated: Jul 27

The latest meeting of the Sector Leaders Group brought together senior leaders from across Wirral's Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to discuss several significant developments affecting the sector over the coming months.

The discussion focused on leadership development, neighbourhood working, the Crisis & Resilience Fund, Pride in Place and wider changes across local public services.

Developing the next generation of sector leaders

One of the most exciting discussions centred on a new leadership development programme being co-produced by Wirral CVS.

Building on previous successful leadership programmes, the ambition is to create a long-term leadership pathway that supports:

established leaders;
emerging leaders;
young leaders; and
leadership development within under-represented communities.

Rather than creating a traditional training programme, the intention is to build something shaped by the experiences of leaders themselves, with a strong emphasis on resilience, peer support, practical leadership and learning from across different sectors.

Zel Rodgers introduced the early thinking behind the programme and invited members of the Sector Leaders Group to help shape its design through a steering group.

The discussion highlighted the importance of:

recognising transferable leadership experience from different sectors;
supporting future leaders before they reach senior roles;
creating opportunities for peer support and mentoring;
building leadership confidence alongside technical skills; and
recognising that leadership exists throughout organisations and communities, not only at Chief Executive level.

This work will continue to evolve over the coming months through co-production with sector leaders.

Strengthening neighbourhood working

Members also received an update on work to strengthen community infrastructure alongside the emerging Neighbourhood Health programme.

Whilst NHS neighbourhood arrangements continue to develop, Wirral CVS is using Public Health investment to strengthen the sector's ability to engage with neighbourhood working through three connected pieces of work:

developing geographically-based Communities of Practice (Mini COPs);
identifying and supporting Community Anchor Organisations; and
building stronger neighbourhood leadership.

The intention is not to replace the existing Wirral-wide Community of Practice, but to create additional neighbourhood-based networks that better connect local organisations, residents and primary care with this work being led by the team who deliver COP.

Discussion recognised that further work is needed to ensure organisations operating across the whole borough remain fully connected whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication of meetings.

Alongside this work, research will be undertaken to better understand and evidence the impact that Communities of Practice have on collaboration and local outcomes.

Crisis & Resilience Fund update

An update was provided on the development of the new Crisis & Resilience Fund.

Following extensive co-production with the sector, the grant programme has now been designed and is ready to launch once final approval is received.

Current expectations are:

resilience grants will form part of a three-year programme, although final arrangements are still awaiting confirmation;
organisations already delivering crisis interventions will still be able to apply for resilience funding where appropriate;
applicant guidance and webinars will be available before applications open; and
monitoring requirements will be published from the outset to provide greater clarity for funded organisations.

The new programme has been designed to move beyond individual crisis interventions towards a more joined-up approach that links crisis support with longer-term resilience.

Applications will undergo three stages:

Due diligence.
Quality assessment.
Portfolio design to ensure the overall programme provides balanced coverage across Wirral.

This final stage is intended to build the strongest overall programme rather than simply funding the highest-scoring applications in isolation.

Members also discussed the importance of creating stronger referral pathways between crisis services, resilience and longer-term advice and support, ensuring people receive help beyond the presenting crisis.

Trustee recruitment pilot

Members received an update on a new pilot being developed jointly with the Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

The programme will prepare people from local businesses to become effective charity trustees through a structured development programme covering charity governance, trustee responsibilities and board effectiveness.

The aim is to create an ongoing pipeline of trustee-ready volunteers who can then be matched with organisations across the sector. If successful, the pilot could significantly strengthen trustee recruitment across Wirral.

Pride in Place

An update was also provided on the three Pride in Place programmes.

Each area now has:

a community chair;
a local board; and
engagement activity underway.

Government is currently considering extending some programme deadlines to allow more time for genuine community engagement before detailed investment plans are finalised.

Discussion also explored how Pride in Place, neighbourhood working and existing sector networks can become better connected as each programme develops.

Wider system changes

Members noted a number of wider organisational changes taking place across local public services.

Discussion included:

senior leadership changes within Wirral Council;
ongoing restructuring within the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board;
the future role of Health & Wellbeing Boards; and
the importance of maintaining strong VCFSE representation as these new arrangements develop.

Membership and sector intelligence

Members were encouraged to ensure their Wirral CVS membership information is up to date. You can do this here.

The revised membership process will not only support organisational governance but will also improve the quality of intelligence available about the size, diversity and impact of Wirral's VCFSE sector, helping strengthen future advocacy and evidence-based decision making.

Actions and next steps

Expressions of interest are invited from sector leaders wishing to join the Leadership Programme Steering Group.
Wirral CVS will publish further information about the Crisis & Resilience Fund as soon as final approval is received.
Applicant guidance and webinars for the grant programme will be announced shortly.
Work will continue on developing neighbourhood Communities of Practice and identifying Community Anchor Organisations.
Organisations are encouraged to review and update their Wirral CVS membership details.
The next Sector Leaders Group meeting will take place on 22th September 2026.