In response to the current Coronavirus crisis, WCVA ran a series of events entitled ‘Preparing for Different Futures’, which explored how the voluntary sector has been affected by and continues to respond to the pandemic.
The last session in the Preparing for Different Futures series focused on how Wales can slowly rebuild after the pandemic. There were a wide range of topics discussed with over 80 people and organisations present.
There are immediate positive and negative impacts of the crisis. The discussion circled around vulnerable people, digital exclusion, and engagement. Equally, there has been a rise in the use of technology, rise in volunteers and benefits in terms of tackling the climate crisis.
A call for broadening how we think of economy was echoed, with climate change, wellbeing and social justice being considered. The Well-being Economy Government network was cited as a positive step forward for the Welsh economy. It is clear that the sector should continue to be an ongoing voice in how Wales rebuilds after the pandemic to support the most vulnerable and advocate necessary change.
A report detailing this session is now available, with a blog post from the event also accessible here.
A recording of the session is also free to view on our YouTube channel.
Blogs that summarise the discussion
Jess Blair sums up discussions with the voluntary sector from the events in our Preparing for Different Futures series.
- How the voluntary sector has been affected financially by the coronavirus pandemic
- How we can build on the community response to coronavirus
- Delivering services post COVID-19
- COVID-19 and influencing decision makers
- COVID-19 and the Climate Crisis
- COVID-19 and a Wellbeing Economy
Preparing for different futures series – the follow up
COVID-19 has impacted on everybody’s lives. The lockdown has forced us all to do things differently, and to do different things. It has opened new possibilities – good and bad.
As policy-makers start to look ahead, these events provide a space to share learning, consider implications for the future and discuss what this means for decision-making today.
Although the series of six events concluded on Thursday 18 June, the conversations around these topics and others, continues. We want to continue to learn from the sector and use these discussions in our wider work.
This series will conclude with a report that covers four key questions we tackled throughout each session.
You can sign up to our COVID-19 daily updates (Mon – Fri) for the latest COVID-19 news for the voluntary sector in Wales, and get the booking link straight into your inbox as well as other useful information on COVID-19. You can also email policyteam@wcva.cymru to feed into any of these topics and more.