A couple of weeks ago I visited Fens Pool Community Centre. The last time I met with trustees and volunteers was in a local coffee shop. The centre had been all but completely destroyed by a fire in August 2025. …
Restoring wellbeing, building community, providing hope: The Afiyya Foundation’s journey
For families experiencing hardship across Lye, Dudley borough and the wider West Midlands, timely support can make all the difference. That’s why we’re delighted that The Afiyya Foundation has officially become a registered charity, opening new opportunities to provide hope, …
The Feelgood Choir, 9 years later…
On a warm, Wednesday evening in late April, I stepped into DY1 in Dudley to a tremendous welcome from the Feelgood Choir, 9 years after first working with the gang to help them become a voluntary group. Back in January, …
Full STEAM ahead for ambitious Stourbridge Lion 2029 project
Dudley borough has a proud industrial heritage and an ambitious project in Stourbridge is going to bring past, present and future together to inspire local school children. I’ve been working with the founders of Stourbridge Lion 2029 CIC for the …
Friends of Swan Pool Park – a new group with big ambition for their local green space
It’s a pleasure to support an emerging group of volunteers who are keen to bring more community to their local park. Brimming with enthusiasm and ideas, Friends of Swan Pool Park have already brought residents together talked to local schools …
Congratulations to Kids Clothes Project!
Local mom Kate Ashby had a simple idea to collect and distribute children’s clothing to families in need. Over the past 6 years, Kids Clothes Project has blossomed. It’s now a trusted referral pathway for people who work with disadvantaged …
Meet the funder: The Giving Machine – Monday 17th November
Join us at this bite-size session to learn how you can access unrestricted funding from The Giving Machine’s grants programme and lottery. When: Monday 17th November, 2.30pm Where: Online To book: Visit our Eventbrite booking page If you’ve got a …
An introduction to being a charity trustee
A session from Dudley CVS on an introduction to the legal duties of charities trustees When: Tuesday 16th September 2025, 6pm Where: Virtual session on Zoom Charity trustees are the people who are responsible for running a charity. This short online session …
Charities would not exist without trustees. What can we do to improve trustee recruitment?
Charities simply would not exist without their trustees. Yet new research findings published recently suggest that charities are missing out on a huge range of perspectives, skills and experiences. This blog looks at the national and local picture and how …
Reflecting on one year of Welcome to the sector!
Dudley CVS’s Group Development Team supports not-for-profit organisations at any point in their journey. This includes helping people with great ideas for new good causes, across the whole Dudley borough. Our aims for April 2024-March 2025 included bringing new people …