Last Wednesday, CEO Julian Mines joined a roundtable discussion with the new Chair of the Charity Commission, Dame Julia Unwin, alongside leaders from infrastructure and community organisations across the West of England and neighbouring regions.
The discussion brought together representatives from organisations including Black South West Network, Voscur, Bristol Law Centre, The Diversity Trust, CVS South Gloucestershire, West of England Rural Network, VANS and the Charity Commission, creating a valuable opportunity to reflect on the strength, collaboration and innovation taking place across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
Contributors included Sado Jirde, CEO of Black South West Network; Rebecca Mears, CEO of Voscur; Hannah Mahoney, CEO of CVS South Glos; Mandy Gardner, CEO of VANS; Phillip Vincent, CEO of West of England Rural Network; and representatives from VCSE Voice and Influence networks, including Tim Birkbeck from the Communities for Equalities network and Karen Bowers, CEO of Bristol Law Centre.
Julian shared an update on the Distribution Hub and the innovative partnership work with WECA and Fare Share South West, developing across the region to support the VCSE sector through investment in community assets, collaboration and long-term infrastructure. The discussion highlighted the importance of strong place-based partnerships and the growing recognition that resilient communities are built through collaboration between charities, civic organisations and public sector partners.
The roundtable also sparked interesting conversations around the role of similarly endowed and often lower-profile charities, and how their assets, local insight and long-standing community relationships could contribute more strategically to regional impact in the future.
Julian said, “It was hugely encouraging to be part of such a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation about the future of civil society. Across the region, charities big and small are doing extraordinary work – and what really stood out was the shared commitment to collaboration, innovation and long-term community impact.
Being able to share the progress of the Distribution Hub and the partnerships developing across the region showed what’s possible when organisations come together around a common purpose. There’s real momentum building around new ways of investing in communities, through incredible multi-sector alliances such as the Impact Alliance and the Bristol Play & Youth Alliance; innovative ways of supporting the VCSE sector and unlocking the potential of place-based collaboration.”
Overall, the discussion was an energising reflection of the strength of the sector across the region, and the growing momentum behind collaborative approaches to tackling long-term social challenges.
Interested in how collaboration and community investment can help transform Bristol and the wider region?
We’re always keen to connect with organisations, funders, businesses and individuals who share our commitment to tackling poverty, strengthening communities and building long-term resilience across the city.
Email the team and we’ll direct you to the right person:
Photos taken from a selection of Bristol Charities’ events, including A Million Acts of Hope at The Vassall Community Hub, Bristol Charities’ launch at Bristol Beacon.
