Strengthening Wirral’s Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector
At last night’s Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee, Members received an uplifting update showing how Wirral CVS continues to play a vital and inspiring role in supporting residents and strengthening communities across the borough.
The report highlighted the significant progress made since the launch of the Coming Together Plan and the awarding of a three year grant to Wirral CVS in 2024.
Over the past year, the service has significantly expanded the support it provides to hundreds of local groups, volunteers and partners. Activity is now at its highest level to date, with more than 2,400 people involved each week — including around 1,900 from the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector — and membership rising to 131 organisations, reflecting growing confidence in the service.
The committee heard how the Local Infrastructure Organisation is providing leadership and coordination across a diverse range of priorities, from youth work and community regeneration to adult social care, faith networks and major public health campaigns. It is playing a central role in helping groups secure essential funding, supporting community asset transfers, improving volunteer recruitment, and strengthening partnerships across health, care and community systems. This joined up approach is enabling local organisations to focus more effectively on what they do best: improving lives in their neighbourhoods.
Members also welcomed the scale of investment now being distributed through, and supported by, the organisation. This includes £200,000 per year through the StepUp Fund, £100,000 per year through the Small Grants Programme, more than £800,000 allocated via the Household Support Fund, and an additional £457,000 secured by community organisations following support from CVS staff. This funding is already enabling new initiatives, sustaining valued services and providing vital help to some of Wirral’s most vulnerable residents.
The service also reported significant progress in volunteering. With a new Volunteer Programme Manager and Co-ordinator in post, Wirral now benefits from 779 active volunteers and 164 volunteer involving organisations, an increase even since the report was written. A new volunteer portal and the introduction of a Volunteer Passport are making it easier both for residents to offer their time and for organisations to access the support they need.
The Committee praised the positive progress being made, recognising the essential role the sector plays in boosting wellbeing, strengthening community resilience and creating more connected neighbourhoods across Wirral.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ian Lewis, Chair of Wirral’s Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee, said:
The days when councils had all the answers are long gone. Instead, we are seeing fantastic work by small local, community, voluntary and faith groups to reach people who need practical support. Many also provide much-needed volunteering opportunities for residents who are able to lend a hand.
These organisations need support themselves sometimes – whether to cut through Council bureaucracy or to apply for grants and support from other sources.
Our partnership with the respected Wirral CVS means we are helping these organisations to grow and prosper. The last 12 months has seen local groups, and the wider community, benefit from this work.
Gareth Prytherch, Chief Executive of Wirral CVS, added:
The progress Wirral CVS has made is testament to Wirral’s 2,500 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations and the vital work they deliver for communities every day.
Wirral CVS is here to support and connect the sector — working with partners, including the Council, to ensure communities have the support they need.
While we’re proud of what has been achieved, the challenges facing residents and local organisations remain significant. There is still much to do, and we are committed to continuing this work with energy, ambition and in partnership.
