Attendees represented the breadth of the voluntary and community sector, including volunteer‑run groups, charities, faith organisations, neighbourhood projects and specialist support services. Many commented on the value of meeting face‑to‑face, noting that the diverse perspectives in the room helped spark useful conversations about shared challenges and emerging opportunities.

Gemma from the RBWM Communities Group presented findings from the recent Voluntary Sector Survey, outlining key strengths across the sector and highlighting areas where organisations may benefit from additional support. She also provided an update on the development of the new online Community Hub, which aims to improve access to information, enhance collaboration and serve as a central point of contact for residents and partners.

As part of the programme, attendees took part in two workshops. Berkshire Community Foundation’s own Ellie Philpott led a session on grant writing, offering practical guidance on building strong applications and clearly demonstrating impact. Running in parallel, VCS Partnership Volunteer of the Year 2025, Kirsty Northam, delivered an engaging workshop on storytelling, helping organisations articulate the community challenges they address, the positive outcomes they create, and, most importantly, the human stories behind their work.

Both workshops prompted lively discussion and encouraged the exchange of practical ideas. For Berkshire Community Foundation, the event reinforced the importance of connection, collaboration and peer learning within the sector.

Overall, the morning offered a constructive and energising start to the 2026 VCS Partnership programme, and we were delighted to contribute to the session and continue supporting the vital work of voluntary and community organisations across the Royal Borough.