For a decade now, the much-anticipated annual event showcasing the social enterprise sector has been Birmingham focused. This year sees it evolve to being the West Midlands Social Economy Drive – a celebration of all things social economy across the seven West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) localities with support from both Power to Change and WMCA.
Starting Monday, 13th November 2023, Social Economy Drive is a week-long programme of Meet the Buyer, workshops, networking, conferences, roundtables and expert knowledge-exchange collaborations. It brings together key stakeholders, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSE), commissioners, public and private sector, and entrepreneurs who are passionate about ‘growing the regional social economy’.
As one of the seven Regional Partners, CAVA (Community And Voluntary Action) in Solihull is showcasing a marketplace and talks highlighting the positive impact of Solihull’s social economy on the wellbeing of residents.
CAVA is the local infrastructure organisation for the VCSE across Solihull and Warwickshire. CAVA provides vital support to the social economy VCSE organisations who are working to strengthen all of our communities across the region. CAVA also enables volunteering for these organisations to channel the passion of individuals driven to make a difference in their community.
On Tuesday 14th November, CAVA is hosting a celebration of Solihull’s Thriving Communities and will be joined by:
- Key note from Charles Rapson, Strategic Lead for Social Economy Growth, West Midlands Combined Authority
- Speaker: Jane Holdsworth, Area Manager, Community And Voluntary Action
- Speaker: Katie Washbourne, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ordinary Magic
- Speaker: Chet Parmar, Chief Executive Officer, Colebridge Trust
- Speaker: Becci Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Solihull Moors Foundation.
This event is a great opportunity for forward thinking businesses to explore how the Solihull Community and Voluntary and Social Enterprise Sector can contribute to their social value and CSR strategy through purchasing of services and signposting their staff to a range of mental health and physical health support. Partners in the healthcare system are also encouraged to attend to identify support services which are open to Solihull residents.
With over 30 organisations attending, the VCSE wellbeing marketplace will offer the possibility to discuss what the community sector offers to promote and support wellbeing, mental and physical health in Solihull.
The Solihull Thriving Communities event will take place on Tuesday, 14th November, 9am-1.45pm, at Solihull Moors Football Club.
Strategic Lead for Social Economy Growth at West Midlands Combined Authority, Charles Rapson, says, “Community-owned, social and environmental purpose-led businesses, charities, cooperatives, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations are important players in ensuring growth is beyond economic and thereby includes all members of our communities. These organisations support disadvantaged people and the West Midlands Combined Authority is committed to inclusive growth.”
Jane Holdsworth, Area Manager Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council at Community And Voluntary Action, says, “This event showcases the impact of the VCSE in working in partnership to meet community need, innovate and build trusted relationships in communities.”
Chief Executive at Community And Voluntary Action, Karen Winchcombe, says, “CAVA is delighted to host this event and showcase the important work of the Social Enterprise Sector. The sector has much to offer partners and commissioners to support the social economy, as well as helping to reduce health inequalities across Solihull and within local communities. We encourage as many people, commissioners and partners as possible, to come along and meet the wonderful groups and not-for-profit companies who will be showcasing the impactful work they deliver.”
For more information and to book for the event, please contact Aline Boblin.
