And that’s it, another year nearly over! I’m sure as I get older, the years seem to fly by much quicker!
Personally, 2025 has been an incredibly difficult year. In summer, I devastatingly lost my brother to the cruel hands of Huntington’s disease, and I have spent countless days being consumed with anxiety about the future, but as anyone who has experienced grief knows, the only choice is to keep moving forward.
But in times like these, I am grateful to the Foundation, knowing that I get to fulfil a life and career dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives has been an unbelievable motivator during a very dark time.
Our communities, communities who I live amongst, keep me grounded and remind me again and again why I do this job. The resilience, the kindness, the stories from the organisations we support, the difference a small grant can make, this is what has given me strength on the days I needed it most!
When I look back on 2025, it’s impossible to separate the personal from the professional. But despite everything, there have been many moments of joy that shine through.
In February, we celebrated the Foundation’s 30th birthday! Such a huge milestone for an organisation that started small and local. In our first five years of operation, we approximately awarded £213,000, fast forward to 2025 and we awarded 602 grants with a total value of over £6million, and every penny spent has contributed to transforming communities and uplifting neighbourhoods.
2025 also saw the appointment of our first ever female chair in the Foundation’s history – the wonderful Jude Jennison. Jude has been a passionate and resolute member of our Board for many years, and her leadership, experience and empathy make her the perfect person to guide us through our next chapter.
Yet, as I reflect on the state of the wider sector, I would be lying if I said we haven’t struggled.
We’ve felt the pressure this year – rising costs, rising demand, and funding that doesn’t stretch the way it used to. We’ve lost vital income that will hit us hard in 2026. We need to attract new donors from across our region who believe in the power of local, who share our passion in supporting grassroots communities.
I’d also love to watch the narrative about the sector I am proud to work in shift. Third Sector, Voluntary Sector, Charity Sector – we are the sector that makes a huge IMPACT, so we are The Impact Sector!
We play a significant role in the UK economy, contributing £48 billion annually, and creating approximately 900,000 jobs – we’re not a nice to have, we’re a vital contributor to civic society. There are over 10,000 social enterprises and 14,000 registered charities alone in the West Midlands and Warwickshire, and that doesn’t even include the countless small voluntary groups working tirelessly for their communities. The sector has long been undervalued for the significant role we play in addressing societal challenges and supporting communities from the ground up!
This community support can be seen from the Foundation’s Women and Girls Fund. Raising £100,000 to support ten female led organisations across our region was an incredibly proud moment for me. Each organisation choosing how to spend their donation: the creation of an upcycling clothes hub, supporting core costs, creating programmes for young girls in the criminal justice system, but all have one common thread – working tirelessly and campaigning for better lives for women and girls.
Our open grant programmes have also continued to support our voluntary and community sector, but in 2026 we need to work hard to secure new income as the need is growing and the funding is diminishing.
So, as I think about 2026, I’m not pretending the road ahead is easy. But I always remain hopeful because of the people I’ve met, the communities I’ve seen, and the resilience I’ve witnessed time and time again.
To everyone who has supported the Foundation this year, thank you!
To the voluntary and community sector holding our communities together, thank you!
To my team and board of trustees, who have given me strength and hope this year, thank you!
This year I’ve learned more about love, fragility and what it truly means to cherish the people around you, so, with that, I wish you all a very peaceful festive season and hope for 2026.