Coventry Poverty Alliance sets priorities for helping people in need in 2024

Coventry Poverty Alliance – where grassroots frontline organisations, medium and larger charities and the public sector come together with a focus on action and a shared agenda of joined up help – has decided its priorities for 2024. The two joint priorities, chosen from a shortlist of five during a session last month, will set […]

Coventry Poverty Alliance moves closer to mobilising

In March, Grapevine and Central England Law Centre convened an event on poverty to look at how local agencies, services, charities, voluntary and community groups and organisations could develop the best connected network of help to respond quickly and effectively to the growing cost of living crisis. Coventry is actually rich in ways people can […]

We need to talk about Poverty

There are lots of us – services and community groups – that work with people who are struggling. Yet we still don’t seem to be able to make the difference needed to really shift the dial on poverty. It’s frustrating and we want to see if, by joining forces, we can do something about it. […]

Organising Change blog series: The glitter and the glue

In the second of our short blog series ‘Organising Change’, we share thoughts from the founder of The Relationships Project, David Robinson on ‘The glitter and the glue’ – putting relationships at the heart of changing lives and systems. David, one of the speakers at our June event about building relationships and power through tough […]

Organising Change blog series: How we organise change in this place at this time

Shifting power to communities is increasingly in the spotlight and there’s scope for really exciting, important, wider change. In 2024 we set out to be active contributors to a national conversation that shows clearly and compellingly what that shift also depends on – the deep community organising practice and local relational infrastructure of organisations like […]

Grapevine CEO awarded Honorary Doctorate from Coventry University

Our CEO Clare Wightman receives an Honorary Doctorate today (18 July) from Coventry University in recognition of “her exceptional contribution to enhancing the lives and well-being of marginalised individuals and communities in Coventry and Warwickshire.” As CEO since 2000, Clare has been responsible for shaping our charity strategically and collaboratively. Skilfully bringing us forward from […]

But what about our childhood? The reality of SEND inclusion

Naomi Madden is our Director of Projects. She works across Grapevine’s Strengthening People strand of action – including overseeing intensive development programmes like Teenvine Plus for ages 13-18 and Help and Connect for learning disabled adults, and our non-statutory advocacy service. Exam season is here and June’s Learning Disability and Loneliness Awareness Weeks, plus the […]

The cost of living and community power – Clare’s blog

“Towards the end of November, I was pleased to speak as part of Warwickshire’s Cost of Living Summit panel. I’d been asked where I thought we should all focus our efforts in order to help communities and citizens,” writes Grapevine CEO Clare Wightman. “My take is this. “Whatever your focus is – food, warmth or […]

Help and advice around the cost of living this winter

Energy costs, food prices and bills are all rising and many of us are worried about our finances and future. Help and advice is available from local services and organisations and Coventry City Council has launched a new microsite to make sure that information is readily available for anyone who needs support. Click this link […]