Led by CWVA, the CYPF Alliance was launched in 2024, bringing together community sector organisations supporting CYPF, creating a common voice for the community sector in this area and acting as a single point of contact for public sector partners wanting a discussion with community sector organisations.
Funded by the Westminster Foundation, the Conference took place at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall. It offered:
The Ground Up project, a new community interest company (CIC) sitting within the Petty Pool family, provided lunch for all attendees.
The aim of Ground Up is to create vibrant and welcoming spaces where young people with learning disabilities and neurodivergence can gain meaningful employment, showcase their skills and develop professionally.
Amanda Perraton, Executive Director for Children and Families at the Council, and Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, also attended to outline the importance of partnership working.
Out of the 43 attendees who provided feedback, 72 per cent said the event was excellent and 28 per cent said it was good. 95 per cent rated the workshops as either excellent or good, while 93 per cent said the event helped them make new connections.
Clare Crerand, Strategic Lead for CYPF at CWVA, said: “The Conference was a great way for us to mark the success of the CYPF Alliance since we first launched it a year ago.
“Our first year has focused on connecting community sector organisations and public sector partners working with CYPF, as well as forming sub groups based on local challenges so we can work together to meet these.
“We have an impressive amount of skills, knowledge and expertise in the community sector and a key part of the Conference was offering workshops that were provided by Alliance members.
“We’d like to thank the Westminster Foundation for funding what turned out to be a successful first Conference for the CYPF Alliance.”
Caroline da Cunha, Cheshire Grants Manager at the Westminster Foundation, added: “The CYPF Alliance Conference was a fantastic opportunity to unite the community sector to foster relationships, support development and build resilience.
“The Westminster Foundation was delighted to support CWVA with hosting the event, which included insightful workshops, brilliant speakers and a delicious lunch prepared by students from Ground Up and Petty Pool College.”
If you’re a community sector organisation or public sector partner that would like to engage with the CYPF Alliance, please email: clare.crerand@cwva.org.uk.
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