Knowsley CVS Leading the Way

Knowsley CVS’ annual conference this year focused on supporting the social growth agenda for Knowsley. The conference identified and addressed key issues facing local voluntary and community organisations in a challenging economic climate, and highlighted some of the partnership initiatives being developed to benefit Knowsley residents.

Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, shared her views on the importance of organisations working together, especially in the current climate. Sheena said “We already know the pressure that our residents are under in relation to employment, costs of housing and living in general. Sadly, we are all facing financial pressures and that includes the public sector and the voluntary and community sector too.

It is because of these challenges that we must work even harder than before and even more closely together to support our residents and our communities. Here in Knowsley, that is just what we are striving to do. ”

Delegates representing over 90 organisations looked at how to work in partnership with other sectors to identify alternative routes of income generation for the borough to support and develop their work and services.

Knowsley CVS Chief Executive Jackie Davies said, “We are all being asked to do far more with far less, so we need to work together to ensure that we are able to continue to provide the much needed support to our vulnerable groups and individuals.”

Practical support and answers were provided by leading expertise from across the sector, to help organisations adapt to the challenges and opportunities they are facing, where demand for their services is growing whilst budgets are falling.

Downloadable copies of the various workshop presentations are available here. 

Key Speaker Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of KMBC