In the VCSE sector, leadership is often talked about from the top down or the frontline up. Less often do we pause to reflect on what it means to lead in the middle — a space that is complex, demanding, and, at times, quietly heavy.

As we enter 2026, it would be easy to describe the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector using the language of pressure and constraint. Rising demand, shrinking resources, workforce fatigue, and communities living with the long-term effects of inequality and instability are daily realities for organisations like ours.

As we come to the end of another year, it’s natural to pause, reflect, and take stock. 2025 has been a year of both joy and challenge — of growth, learning, resilience, and above all, community. It has reminded us why Community Together CIC exists: to ensure no one in Tamworth and beyond feels alone, unheard, or unsupported.

What does “community café” really mean — and does it apply to every café?

In the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) world, one question often surfaces in local and national conversations:Is it good or bad that multiple organisations deliver similar services?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to reshape how voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations operate. But it’s not a magic wand — the sector must tread carefully. Below, I explore both the opportunities and pitfalls of AI for UK VCSEs, as well as some reflections for community-focused organisations like ours.

As a Community Interest Company, we exist to create impact—not profit. Our heartbeat is people, our mission is change, and our measure of success is the lives we touch.

As Chief Operating Officer of Community Together CIC, I see first-hand the difference that voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations make in Tamworth. From grassroots groups tackling loneliness and food insecurity, to social enterprises creating jobs and skills, this sector is the backbone of community life.

Across the UK, health inequalities and rising pressures on the NHS are driving the need for smarter, more collaborative solutions. One powerful — yet underused — approach is co-locating voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations within NHS estates. From GP surgeries to community hospitals, shared spaces can unlock stronger partnerships, better use of resources, measurable cost savings, and more holistic care for local populations. This blog explores the benefits of co-location, highlights proven models already in action, and sets out why now is the time to scale this approach nationwide.

Every day, across the UK, ordinary people do extraordinary things for their communities. From sharing meals to tackling loneliness, volunteers and local groups are the quiet force holding society together. However, while their impact is huge, the system meant to support them often gets in the way—treating every organisation as if it were the same, limiting flexibility, and stifling innovation. In this blog, we celebrate the power of community and ask: what would change if we truly valued, trusted, and invested in these groups to do what they do best?