Voice4Change England Top 10 Events of 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re celebrating a year of impactful events, workshops, and webinars that brought communities, leaders, and organisations together. From exploring funding opportunities and social investment to tackling health inequalities and environmental justice, our events have created spaces for learning, collaboration, and action. Here’s a look back at the top 10 events that captured the interest of our community this year.

1. Meet the Funder: Unlock Funding Opportunities with Voice4Change England

One of our most popular events, Meet the Funder connected community organisations with leading national funders to navigate the funding landscape and grow their impact. Attendees heard directly from:

• Key Fund: Energy Resilience Fund to improve organisational energy efficiency.

• School for Social Entrepreneurs: Match Trading and other programmes rewarding social enterprise growth.

• Sport England: Movement Fund supporting community activity and wellbeing.

• National Lottery Community Fund: Updates on opportunities and priorities for community-led projects. The interactive session included presentations, practical insights, and live Q&A, giving participants a rare chance to ask funders questions directly.

The session featured funder presentations, practical insights, and live Q&A opportunities, giving participants a rare chance to ask funders questions directly and explore the best pathways to secure support for their work.

2. V4CE Annual General Meeting – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Our 2025 AGM celebrated our achievements and explored the path toward a more equitable future. Highlights included:

• Reflection on the year’s successes and upcoming Horizons London Programme.

• Inspiring keynote talks from:

  - Carol Akiwumi MBE: Insights on stewardship, justice, and empowering underrepresented communities.

  - Asher Craig: Reflections on 30+ years of social change leadership and community resilience. The AGM fostered a sense of collective purpose and momentum for the next chapter of community empowerment.

The AGM captured a shared feeling that our communities are ready for the next chapter, one where barriers fall, futures strengthen, and collective power grows.

3. Cracking the Code: Navigating Opportunities with Local Government

This 90-minute webinar introduced BME charities and social enterprises to public sector procurement. Guided by Paul Rackham, an experienced social care and health commissioner, participants learned how government contracts work and how to strengthen bids. Ideal for organisations with little or no tendering experience, the session is part of the VCSE Contract Readiness Programme, aiming to diversify public sector supply chains.

4. Cracking the Code: Understanding Social Investment

This webinar introduced social investment and its potential to boost organisational resilience. Speakers included Kunle Olulode MBE, Asher Craig, Izzy Obeng, and Chris Colwell, sharing insights on investment models, providers, and readiness. The session, part of V4CE’s Catalyst Programme, equipped Black and Minoritised-led organisations with knowledge to explore new financial pathways.

5. Climate Justice is Racial Justice

As the first workshop of our Where Climate Meets Race project, this session explored the intersection of climate and racial justice. Led by Jennifer Wat, V4CE’s Environmental Strategy Officer, participants examined:

• Racism and inequity embedded in the climate crisis

• Decolonising climate action

• Barriers to participation in climate movements

• Case studies of campaigns centring race and climate.

The workshop emphasised collective, justice-driven approaches to environmental action.

6. Collaborations for Contracts and Tenders: Contract Readiness

This webinar guided VCSE organisations on forming partnerships and consortia for public sector contracts. Participants learned:

• Benefits of collaborations for capacity and innovation

• How to find aligned partners

• Managing agreements, roles, responsibilities, and risks

• Building trust and effective communicationThe session equipped organisations with tools to pursue collaborative tenders confidently.

  
  

7. Where Climate Meets Race – Environmental Strategy Launch

V4CE launched its Environmental Strategy, demonstrating how climate justice and racial justice intersect. Speakers Manu Maunganidze, Nazia Sultana, and Maymana Arefin shared insights on inclusive climate action. Attendees explored how organisations can embed climate justice in their work for an equitable, sustainable future.

8. Cracking the Code: Understanding Government Contracts

This 90-minute session helped BME charities and social enterprises begin public sector procurement. Insights from Paul Rackham and social entrepreneur Junior Smart offered practical guidance on accessing contracts, increasing social impact, and building capacity.

9. Bangladeshi Health Inequalities Summit

This focused summit brought together community members, health professionals, and system stakeholders to discuss findings from recent engagement work. Speakers from NHS England, Barts Health, Tower Hamlets Public Health, and local organisations explored best practices and shared ideas for improving health equity.

10. Newham Diabetes Workshop

This workshop united Bangladeshi diabetic patients, health professionals, and stakeholders to identify gaps in prevention, management, and service access. Participants shared insights on culturally appropriate approaches, trusted community spaces, and practical solutions. Feedback will inform a co-produced action plan to improve diabetes care for the community.

2025 has been a year of connection, learning, and meaningful action. Our events have strengthened networks, empowered communities, and driven positive change across sectors. As we look forward to 2026, we remain committed to creating spaces where voices are heard, opportunities are unlocked, and systemic barriers are challenged. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year! Your participation made all the difference.