This includes the VCSE Collaborative and Nova, and we have advocated for the importance and role of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in delivering change in Wakefield District.

"We have a strong and vibrant voluntary and community sector which plays a key role in our communities" - Communities Working Group feedback on page 26 of the District Plan

The vision set our by the plan is clear: building a stronger Wakefield.

This means that by 2035, Wakefield will be a place with equal access to opportunities. Whereeveryone feels valued and has the chance to thrive. Where barriers to inclusion are broken down. Resources are managed responsibly for future generations. And which people are proud to call home.

What does the Partnership want to achieve?

• Ambition One: An economy that works for everyone
• Ambition Two: A place where children and young people grow and thrive
• Ambition Three: People live healthy lives
• Ambition Four: Tackling climate change together
• Ambition Five: Thriving, welcoming and safe communities
• Ambition Six: Strong local services that work for people and place

Where does the VCSE sector factor into this?

Community groups, charities, voluntary organisations, sports clubs and social enterprises make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the Plan.

Maddy, Nova's CEO, said "The District Plan is a shared commitment to working together for positive, lasting change in our communities, with the VCSE Sector playing a vital role in the delivery of this."

The District Plan also includes specific focus on the strength and resilience of the VCSE sector, with a dedicated outcome on this (outcome 19). Further detail is provided on how this will be implemented by:

• Recognising the vital role played by the VCSE sector
• Working collectively to build capacity and cross-sector networking
• Supporting VCSE organisations to grow sustainably, including through wider commissioning activity

How was the Plan developed, with engagement from the VCSE sector?

Over 270 organisations, community groups, and businesses have contributed their ideas and expertise to the Plan. This included many representatives from the VCSE sector, and they shared their views through a variety of engagement:

• All Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) groups had VCSE representation, including Nova's CEO (Maddy) as sponsor of the Communities KLOE and Nova's Treasurer & Member (Simon Topham, CEO of Citizens Advice Wakefield & District) as Convenor of the Complex Lives KLOE
• Attending the Partnerships Summit held on 19 May, to hear the outcomes of the Key Lines of Enquiry and give any final views - with invitations circulated by Nova to local VCSE organisations
• Updates at our local networks including the VCSE Collaborative, VCSE Voices Network, Connecting Wakefield, and Community Anchors Network
• Community visits, including St Mary’s Pontefract, St Giles, WiFi and Appletree Community Garden

About the Wakefield Together Partnership

The District Plan is shared and driven by the Wakefield Together Partnership - a collective of public, private, voluntary and community sector organisations committed to working collaboratively to deliver real change.

The governance and strategic direction of the District Plan and the Wakefield Together Partnership is overseen by a small group of chief executive and senior officers from within it, and which cover the health, education, local government, emergency services, voluntary sector, housing, and business sectors in our district. Members of this leadership group includes Maddy Sutcliffe, Nova's CEO, who advocates for the local VCSE sector.

The actual Partnership is much wider. Over 60 local groups, elected councillors and University academics are involved in contributing ideas, experience, knowledge, and different ways of working. And our residents are a key pillar of our Partnership.

What happens next?

The Plan will be delivered through a number of methods:

• Day-to-day activity of individual partner organisations; realignment of corporate plans
• Partnership Boards and networks – these will be reviewed to consider how they work together and any gaps
• Task and finish activity commissioned by the Wakefield Strategic Partnership
• Annual State of the District Summit

We look forward to sharing more and how VCSE organisations can share their work towards the ambitions of the Plan.

A significant next step for the local VCSE sector will be the development of a new Wakefield District VCSE Strategy, which will align with the District Plan. This work is being led by the VCSE Collaborative and we are excited to share it has started! We are keen to get your perspectives, ideas and suggestions for the VCSE Strategy and will be sharing ways to get involved soon.

Read the District Plan

Download a copy of Wakefield District Plan 2025 - 2035: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/our-people-and-communities/partnership-working/wakefield-together