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.
Celebrating a Year of Community Impact
We began the year with a moment of magic, treating 175 families in need to see Tamworth’s local pantomime at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms — a simple act, but one that brought smiles, laughter, and memories at a time when many families were facing real hardship.
Early in the year we proudly achieved Level 2 Disability Confident Employer status, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive employment. Our Winter Warmer Event, run entirely by volunteers, offered warmth, food, and connection to those tackling loneliness and the cost-of-living crisis — a powerful example of community compassion in action.
That commitment was recognised when we were awarded the Community Impact Award 2025 by the Chamber of Commerce of Royal Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth and Cannock — an honour that belongs to our staff, volunteers, and partners.
Bringing People Together
From Community Fest events in Amington, Belgrave, and Wilnecote, to health and wellbeing events at Ankerside, we spent the year connecting residents with services right on their doorstep. We celebrated the 1st birthday of The Helping Hand Community Café, launched our annual community survey, and were proud to be selected as one of only 200 areas nationally to feed into the NHS 10-Year Plan.
We expanded our Telephone Befriending Service with the launch of a new call centre at Offa House, reaching even more people across Staffordshire and tackling loneliness one conversation at a time.
March marked five years since the first COVID-19 lockdown, a poignant reminder of the role we played as lead organisation in Tamworth, coordinating wraparound support during one of the most challenging periods our community has ever faced. We also celebrated Social Prescribing Day, recognising the incredible impact our team has on people’s wellbeing.
Supporting Families, Inclusion and Belonging
Spring and summer were filled with activity — from delivering Easter and Summer HAF programmes supporting hundreds of children with meals and activities, to inclusive events such as the African Caribbean Society Easter Market, LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Connections, and Tamworth TIES day trips for people with learning disabilities.
Our work around equality and inclusion grew further with Queerify accreditation as a safe space, expanded LGBTQIA+ peer support sessions, and solidarity events marking IDAHOBIT. We also launched our Pay It Forward Board, extending free coffee to meals for those in crisis.
Mental health remained a strong focus: Mental Health Awareness Week, Dementia Awareness Week, Sing for Fun sessions, digital skills support, and our staff proudly taking part in Wear It Green Day.
Partnership, Growth and Innovation
We are incredibly proud to lead the Cost of Living Partnership, supported by National Lottery funding, working alongside Home Start Tamworth, Number 8 Charity, Citizens Advice Mid Mercia, Manna House, and Support Staffordshire.
We strengthened our organisation too — welcoming new board members, achieving Investors in People accreditation for both People and Wellbeing, and beginning work on Steve’s Shed, a Men’s Shed project launching in early 2026 to support men’s mental health.
Through Unity Through Sport, refugee and asylum seeker inclusion projects, volunteer celebrations, and partnerships with NHS services, we continued to show what collaboration can achieve.
New Services, New Milestones
Autumn saw major milestones: the launch of Betty’s Community Transport, helping residents attend vital hospital appointments; a rebranded website and new services; a five-star food hygiene re-accreditation; and the launch of my COO Blog, sharing frontline insights from community development.
We sponsored the Tamworth Jobs Fair, supported remembrance through our HAF programme, and presented Tamworth’s case for Compassionate Town Status, aligning with the priorities of our Health and Wellbeing Board.
Our Open Day at Offa House was a highlight — bringing together VCSE partners, statutory services, councillors, and residents — and celebrating the launch of our new lounge space for older people, officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Tamworth.
Ending the Year with Heart
December has been full of festive spirit: from our staff and volunteer Christmas video “All I Want for Christmas is Community”, to toy appeals, carols in the café, Christmas meals, pantomime performances, jumper days, and fundraising events — all reminding us that community is at the heart of everything we do.
By the Numbers – The Real Impact
Behind every activity is impact that truly matters:
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4,087 people supported
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£311,372 increase in household incomes
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3,200 café visitors
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8,650 volunteer hours, creating £105,616.50 in social value
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£7.21 social return for every £1 donated
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311 people supported weekly through befriending
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740 families supported through HAF, with 850 hot meals
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173 people supported into employment
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24 people housed temporarily, and 1,873 supported to stay in their homes
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1,996 GP appointments saved through social prescribing
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20% average increase in wellbeing scores
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look ahead to 2026, we know challenges remain — but so does our determination. We will continue to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, innovate, and ensure compassion remains at the heart of Tamworth.
To our staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, funders, and every person who has walked alongside us this year — thank you. You are the reason Community Together CIC continues to grow, adapt, and make a difference.
From all of us, we wish you a peaceful festive season and a hopeful, healthier, and kinder New Year.
Together, we are stronger.
