Empowering our communities in West Cheshire

Around 150 people attended Cheshire West Voluntary Action’s (CWVA) recent Empowering Our Communities event at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, providing an opportunity for organisations to network and work together to support people across West Cheshire.

The event brought together organisations in the community sector – made up of charities, community groups and other charitable organisations – with the Council and NHS organisations.

Gary Cliffe, Chief Executive of CWVA, opened the event alongside Delyth Curtis, Chief Executive of the Council, talking about the importance of the positive relationship between the community and public sectors.

Nearly 50 organisations and public sector services then had marketplace stalls at the Civic Hall, showcasing the range of support they offer in the community, including areas like mental health, accessing food, bereavement, sensory loss, children and young people and much more.

Gary Cliffe, Chief Executive of CWVA, said:

“Empowering Our Communities was an excellent event that highlighted how we’re all working together in west Cheshire to help people access the support they need.

“Our relationship with the Council and NHS is growing all the time and we’re finding innovative ways to work together and support people as best as we can.

“It was great to see so many Council and NHS staff take time out to speak to the many fantastic organisations in the community sector.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to develop our relationship in the future and explore exciting new work programmes.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, added:

“Community sector organisations play such an important role supporting people across west Cheshire.

“Council and NHS services are under a lot of pressure and working in partnership is key to making sure we meet the current demand.  

“We’re consulting on the Borough Plan 2024-28 and the focus of this is how we can all work together and play our part to make west Cheshire a great place to live, work and visit.

“Empowering Our Communities was a fantastic opportunity for Council staff, as well as councillors, to meet community sector organisations and hear more about the breadth of services being provided locally.

“Staff from various Council services attended the event, developing existing partnerships and making new connections.

“While we face some challenges locally, we can all work together to tackle these and make sure local people can access the support they need.”

For more information about CWVA and the range of support it provides community sector organisations, visit: 

cwva.org.uk.  

There’s still time for you to Join the Conversation about the Borough Plan for 2024-28, making sure the right approach is taken to working together and improving communities and local services over the next four years.

Have your say on the Borough Plan

Pictured - Stall holders showcase the range of services they provide.