NAVCA Conference 2026

As a local infrastructure organisation, Wessex Community Action is a proud member of NAVCA, and this month we attended their annual conference in Birmingham.

The event was a valuable opportunity to connect with leaders from infrastructure organisations across the country, share insights, and take part in workshops exploring volunteering, data and AI, neighbourhood health, and the convening role of local infrastructure bodies.

A highlight of the day was a powerful talk from the Jo Cox Foundation, which spoke to the vital role infrastructure organisations play in strengthening social cohesion. They emphasised how we help bring people together across differences, support grassroots leadership, and hold the relationships and shared memory that keep a place whole. They also noted that, at a time when trust in government and the media is at historic lows, charities remain among the most trusted institutions—second only to doctors.

Reflecting on the many conversations we had, it was clear how much we are all shaped by wider national trends: a more challenging funding environment for charities, local government reorganisation, major changes within integrated care boards, and growing concerns about the state of civic discourse.

We heard stories from organisations with long and proud histories of serving their communities - Wessex Community Action itself is now over 50 years old - yet none were standing still. Each had continually adapted to meet the needs of their sector in changing contexts, and that process of evolution remains ongoing.

Despite our differences in geography, history, and structure, one thing was unmistakably shared: we are all deeply rooted in our communities, their people, their experiences, and the relationships that make each place unique.

Across the conference there was a strong, shared commitment to the voluntary and community sector, and a firm belief that our sector holds many of the solutions to the challenges society faces today - including the essential work of rebuilding trust.

Returning from the conference, we feel privileged to continue supporting you in the voluntary and community sector. Thank you for all that you do.