Grapevine Cov and Warks

Grapevine Cov and Warks Join us in making our people and communities fairer, stronger and more connected. FSI Small Charity Big Impact and Midlands Service Excellence awards winner.

Coventry Poverty Alliance co-founder, business movement co-organiser and Good Help provider. Helping all kinds of people experiencing isolation, poverty and disadvantage.

“Grapevine have this engine for creating conditions that enable people to take control of their lives. A think and do tank that’s able to transform services and lives wherever they are.” (Rich Wilson, co-founder of the

Good Help Movement with Nesta).

“I’ve never experienced a chance like this to thrive but they were the key to open those doors and I have full respect for the representation they give to members by being guiding hands along the journey." (Bengy, local changemaker and former Grapevine participant). Learn more about our work Strengthening People, Sparking Community and Shifting Power: https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/

Grapevine began as a project of Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency in 1994. We became a charity in 2004 but kept the co-operative ethos. Grapevine is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. We have a Board of Trustees, some of whom have learning disabilities, who are responsible for the charity's governance. Follow our other pages for project-specific updates: , , , , and .

Willenhall in Coventry is one of the first 75 areas across the country to be selected to receive part of the government'...
15/06/2026

Willenhall in Coventry is one of the first 75 areas across the country to be selected to receive part of the government's £1.5 billion 'Pride in Place' investment over the next 10 years.

This means £20 million is coming specifically to Willenhall to spend on what matters most to people to improve their neighbourhood.

Pride in Place is a long-term strategy to level up 'doubly disadvantaged' communities* to fix the foundations of those places most left behind.

As community organisers working in Willenhall over many years, we want to help ensure local people have their say on how this money is spent and also have the opportunity to join the Neighbourhood Board which is forming to oversee spending this investment.

So if you live in Willenhall and want to be a part of the change, please either visit https://www.marycreagh.co.uk/willenhallsurvey to complete an initial survey.

Or come to one of our community drop-ins to talk in person to our community organiser Siân, who would love to meet you and hear your thoughts. Dates and times are:

Wednesday 17 June, 2-4pm at John White Community Centre
Friday 19 June, 1-3pm at Willenhall Library
Thursday 25 June, 5.30-6.30pm at Wood Side Best Start Family Hub

If you would like to read more about community organising, Pride in Place and our thoughts on how successful the programme could be, please visit our website here https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/grapevine-news/pride-in-place-how-to-create-the-infrastructure-for-community-led-renewal/

*Click here to learn how 'doubly disadvantaged' places were selected https://bit.ly/4ensLlg

Coventry Libraries and Information Service Mary Creagh MP

ID: A red, black and cream event poster with the title '£20 million for Willenhall' in bold capital letters invites local people to have their say on how this money is spent either through a survey (with QR code to scan) or by attending a drop-in session. Details of which are included in the text of this post.

TICKET TO RIDE! 🚌 Our Teenvine+ Covid 19 Next Steps programme is specifically designed for teenagers with special educat...
11/06/2026

TICKET TO RIDE! 🚌 Our Teenvine+ Covid 19 Next Steps programme is specifically designed for teenagers with special educational needs and disabilities who are not attending school regularly, if at all.

Our project worker Poppy works intensively with each young person, giving them creative freedom to express their identity, helping them advocate for their own needs and make a plan for their future — boosted by support networks, experiences and ambitions that can grow and change.

Here she is on the bus into town with a young person she's currently supporting. The travel training trip included checking the bus timetable, asking the driver for a ticket, becoming familiar with Coventry city centre and planning the journey home.

Poppy said: "For many people, catching a bus and heading into town feels like an everyday task — but for some young people struggling with anxiety, leaving the house or attending school can feel overwhelming.

"This session was all about building confidence and independence through small achievable goals."

Now with some anxiety reduced around travel and greater confidence starting to build in the community around them, this young person can move onto exploring other important life skills.

"Every small step matters and this was a really positive one," said Poppy.

Meet Poppy 🌺 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cs16BBpOyq4

Learn more about our work strengthening lives here: https://bit.ly/GVstrength

ID: Photo inside a bus travelling through Coventry city centre with two hands in shot each holding a ticket — one for an adult's unlimited travel for a day and the other for an under 18 person.

Join our Connecting For Good Cov community organising team for a free event with People's Economy on Saturday 20 June ex...
10/06/2026

Join our Connecting For Good Cov community organising team for a free event with People's Economy on Saturday 20 June exploring how power and the economy shape our communities, and discovering how people-led alternatives can build a fairer future.

Meet fellow Coventry organisers, activists and community leaders at Coventry Central Hall from 10am to 4pm as we learn together.

Economy can be a scary word, but this session will create space to explore our shared understanding of the political and economic systems in which we live.

Together, we will deepen our knowledge of how those systems impact our communities, our work and our ability to create meaningful change.

If we want to challenge systemic inequality, we must first understand how power operates: who holds it, how it’s maintained and how it can be transformed.

Exploring the "people’s economy" is a critical step in building collective power, strengthening our organising and imagining alternatives that truly serve our communities.

You will leave the session with:
➕ An understanding of how Coventry’s economy works
➕ Simple tools to spot power, inequality and leverage opportunities in your own work and community
➕ Inspiring, real-life examples of people-powered alternatives like co-ops, community wealth building and local organising
➕ Practical resources and ideas you can use straight away in campaigns, projects and conversations.

Register for your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peoples-economy-session-with-connecting-for-good-tickets-1989831066284

Drop our team a line with any questions Connecting For Good Cov or by email to [email protected] 📧

Let's step up, speak out and shape Coventry together ✊

Here are some of our Teenviners with volunteers Daz and Amelia during a personal care session recently (yes, these are B...
09/06/2026

Here are some of our Teenviners with volunteers Daz and Amelia during a personal care session recently (yes, these are Barbie styling heads and not real ones!) 🪮🫧

At the session, the group tried different techniques for keeping clean — from a gentler sponge application of the shampoo, to protecting your eyes from soapy suds, to rinsing with minimal splashing.

Daz even modelled a very fetching fox hairband 🦊

Our TeenVine+ intensive development programme for young people aged 13-18 with special educational needs and disabilities runs for 12 months per group and each year, we feature different activities depending on what we need to cover — most often what the young people themselves want to explore.

What matters is working on the confidence, resilience, skills, friendships and ambitions that help young people take charge of their lives, build stronger futures and embrace new opportunities.

A huge thank you to Teenvine volunteers Daz and Amelia who join us every week to help out. Your support is invaluable 💜

More on TeenVine+ here 🔗 https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/what-we-do/strengthening-people/ -Plus

NEW BLOG ✍️ Three Coventry neighbourhoods are each set to receive up to £20 million of investment under the Pride in Pla...
08/06/2026

NEW BLOG ✍️ Three Coventry neighbourhoods are each set to receive up to £20 million of investment under the Pride in Place programme — a government priority for community-led renewal across the country over the next decade.

At Grapevine, we have spent over 20 years building relationships and power in disadvantaged communities in our city, some of whom will receive these funds — specifically Tile Hill, Hillfields and Willenhall.

In this new article by our CEO Clare Wightman with Rosie McLeod written for The Future Governance Forum, Clare and Rosie explore how we have shown it is possible to strengthen communities’ capacity to act on issues they care about, as Pride in Place intends.

But how can we guide Pride in Place more towards the kind of inclusive power and partnership building that will ensure disadvantaged residents aren't crowded out in the rush to meet immediate service and infrastructure needs and take quick, visible action?

We break the process down into five tests for inclusive renewal we've developed that keep us coming back to the patience, flexibility and trust to let communities lead — so real results can come from the funding.

Read the full article 'Fulfilling the promise of Pride in Place: how to create the infrastructure for community-led renewal' here: https://futuregovforum.substack.com/p/fulfilling-the-promise-of-pride-in

ID: A post about a new blog by Grapevine for The Future Governance Forum about 'The Promise of Pride in Place'. A quote from the blog (below) in black text on a yellow background is next to a cut out photo of an older woman with long white grey hair tied in a plait smiling as she completes a clipboard survey with two young people (a male and a female) in the street.

Clare and Rosie write: "Government needs to prioritise more clearly, or these physical infrastructure needs and pressure for urgent results will consume all the energy and resources. This would be a mistake. The relational and capacity building aspects of Pride in Place, though harder to see, are fundamental to its vision for renewal and community power... We first need to build relational capacity for inclusive participation so that communities have control of the agenda and can determine their priorities."

Final call for ! We'll be there at FarGo Village Coventry on Sunday (7 June) from 11am-4pm.Our Green For All community ...
05/06/2026

Final call for ! We'll be there at FarGo Village Coventry on Sunday (7 June) from 11am-4pm.

Our Green For All community organiser Ari (pictured, so you know who to look for) is leading a community growing session throughout the day with community-led Connecting For Good Cov initiatives, Coventry Urban Eden and Roots in Nature 🌱

Ari says: "We didn't want anyone to miss out on the fun of our Green For All gathering during Coventry's River Festival, so here's your reminder.

"Our team has been busy gathering plants and pots for you to find homes for across Fargo Village.

"There will be gloves and friendly advice on offer for anyone who wants to give greening a go. If you're more of a creative, we'll also have craftivism for you to join later in the day.

"Join us for inspiration on bringing nature to your neighbourhood and to connect with others who are curious about Green For All.

"Remember to book your free ticket and join us earlier in the day for planting at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-river-festival-coventry-2026-tickets-1982886139822."

Green For All seeks to tackle inequalities in access to green and blue spaces across Coventry. The partnership is led by Coventry City Council and made possible by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund 💚

Thank you to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust for inviting us to be a part of the River Festival 🙏

Get in touch with Ari for more information about Green For All at [email protected].

And please keep your fingers crossed for some dry weather for the weekend!

ID: Ari is pictured with short auburn hair and glasses, wearing a denim jacket with rainbow coloured stars on it and an animal keyring. Behind Ari is a community garden and the brick wall of a building.

THURSDAY 🍇 Fresh from yesterday's monthly meeting at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, we're pleased to officially introdu...
04/06/2026

THURSDAY 🍇 Fresh from yesterday's monthly meeting at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, we're pleased to officially introduce one of our newer team members, Lucy Gilbert.

Lucy is our new Senior Operations Officer and joins us from working in the NHS and more recently as a Lived Experience Lead for a community interest company called Neurodiverse Connection.

We asked Lucy five quick-fire questions to help our followers get to know her — she will often be the first person people speak to when looking for support to strengthen their life, be part of their community or lead change.

🟣 What were you doing before you joined Grapevine?

"I was working as a Lived Experience Lead at Neurodiverse Connection which is a community interest company set up to improve the lives of neurodivergent individuals. I worked a lot with the NHS to improve care and outcomes for autistic people in mental health services, delivering training and advising on quality improvement projects.

"Before moving into lived experience roles a few years ago, I worked in the NHS in innovation and quality improvement."

🟣 Why did you apply?

"I’ve long admired the work that Grapevine does and wanted to work somewhere with a person-centred and compassionate ethos. I’ve always enjoyed the operational elements of previous roles and wanted to be in the hub of a charity, making a positive impact to their work."

🟣 What experience do you bring?

"I’ve had a varied career background spanning research, strategy, leadership and facilitation which has given me lots of skills which will come in handy as this role is quite diverse!

"I’m also autistic myself with two neurodivergent children — which means I easily connect with and readily empathise with the people and communities Grapevine supports."

🟣 What are you most looking forward to?

"Getting stuck in to learning more about the work and ambitions of Grapevine, and helping to enable our teams to do their best work."

🟣 Do you have a fun fact or skill you could share?

"I am a huge charity shop lover and almost everything I wear is a pre-loved bargain find! I’ve also really got into gardening recently and just turned my front garden into an allotment.

"So when I’m not working you can usually either find me in a charity shop or covered in soil!"

Lucy brings lots of experience to her role; which alongside being a primary contact for people, will also see her streamlining our operational activities across all projects and programmes, premises, IT systems, day-to-day logistics and more.

Welcome to the team! 💜

ID: A photo of Lucy smiling at a restaurant table. Lucy is a white woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair. She wears a light coloured jumper, hoop earrings, bracelet and watch.

Distrust, disconnection, disillusionment... not where any of us wants to be.But in a fractured Britain, hope is growing ...
03/06/2026

Distrust, disconnection, disillusionment... not where any of us wants to be.

But in a fractured Britain, hope is growing (and essential) for a different kind of politics — one which shares power with communities already working hard for people in their own patch, one that backs this local leadership and believes strong communities build foundations not barriers.

A new report by UCL Policy Lab and Demos with Lloyds Bank Foundation entitled 'Nation of Neighbours: Rebuilding Britain from the ground up' has been co-created with a small number of organisations who were asked to form a guiding coalition for the Nation of Neighbours programme.

We're proud to be one these organisations 💜

And so the new report pays a visit to Coventry and our senior community organiser Siân Lewis, who reflects on where we put our hope when the system has failed us.

Siân shares how eight years of community organising and building our Connecting For Good Cov movement "from the ground up" gives real perspective on what it takes to work alongside residents to uncover the root causes of local challenges, supporting them as they step into leadership and organise to build a city that reflects their own decisions and vision.

Coventry locals Kaz and Tim step forward to share their story of making their dream of a shared, community woodland become a reality.

Their story is by no means complete but the support of Connecting for Good helps ensure they remain hopeful, not hopeless.

Read the new report now — including Coventry stories from Siân, Kaz and Tim — and let us know what you think: https://demos.co.uk/research/a-nation-of-neighbours-rebuilding-britain-from-the-ground-up-2/

Photo credit 📷 UCL Policy Lab / Demos

ID: Four people pose smiling for a photo on an urban junction in Spon End, Coventry outside Grapevine's 15th century, green-tiled home. The three women and one man, from left to right, are Laura, Tim, Sian and Kaz. Coventry citizens Tim and Kaz hold coffee mugs, while Grapevine community organisers Laura and Sian clasp their hands together in front of them. Summer leaves on trees are seen behind the black railings which they lean against.

UPDATE ON TIMMS REVIEW OF PIP ⭐️ In early May, we hosted a joint public consultation event with Central England Law Cent...
02/06/2026

UPDATE ON TIMMS REVIEW OF PIP ⭐️ In early May, we hosted a joint public consultation event with Central England Law Centre at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry to help us gather anonymous experiences from local people receiving the health and disability benefit ‘PIP’ (Personal Independence Payment).

We were responding to the government’s call for evidence from individuals and organisations for the Timms Review of PIP, which closed last Thursday (28 May).

Lots of people came to see us on 6 May and we successfully submitted Grapevine’s 12-page organisational response to the Review in good time. Central England Law Centre did the same.

Our detailed response was spread across the 11 sub-headings of Theme 3; the experience of claiming PIP, along with quotes from people we support in our work and those who attended our consultation event.

Here we share a small selection of people’s thoughts 📷

Our headline findings show that:

➡️ Across all sub-headings, a single overarching message emerged: the claim experience is deeply stressful, often retraumatising and weighted against people whose conditions fluctuate, are hidden or do not present in ways the assessment design recognises.

➡️ The current PIP claim process is experienced as “something to be survived" — and survival depends heavily on whether someone happens to have access to a welfare rights advisor, a Law Centre, a charity worker, or a knowledgeable family member.

➡️ Without support, people give up, lose entitlement or are forced through repeated tribunals to reach a fair outcome.

Please follow this link to read our 11 recommendations to the government on the future of PIP 🔗 https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/grapevine-news/our-organisational-response-to-the-timms-review-of-pip/

Our response is now with the Timms Review steering group and while we await updates, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to our organisational response 🙏

We hope people also took some time to submit their individual perspectives to provide as full a picture as possible.

Read a reflection written by one of the disabled people who joined our event, Coventry photographer and filmmaker Alan Van Wijgerden, by following this link: https://www.connectingforgoodcov.com/post/pip-tales-reflections-from-the-consultation-event

Coventry's River Festival is next weekend! Will we see you there? 😊 Our community organiser Ari will be joined by Conn...
29/05/2026

Coventry's River Festival is next weekend! Will we see you there? 😊

Our community organiser Ari will be joined by Connecting For Good Cov initiatives Coventry Urban Eden and Roots in Nature on the community growing session on Sunday 7 June between 11am and 4pm.

Ari says: "Our green gathering at FarGo Village Coventry during River Festival on 7 June is fast approaching, so we wanted to tell you more!

"This is an opportunity to meet your neighbours, chat and explore how you could start a green movement in your area.

"We'd especially love to welcome anyone from the local area in Hillfields — as well as Radford, Upper Stoke, Lower Stoke, Foleshill and Holbrooks which are all areas needing more nature.

"Book a free ticket below and remember to come down early if you'd like to plant with us."

For more information about other activities and entertainment during the two-day festival (6 and 7 June) — and to get your free ticket — please click this link 🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/summer-river-festival-coventry-2026-tickets-1982886139822

If you'd like to know more about Green For All but can't join us on 7 June, please get in touch with Ari at [email protected] ✉️

Green For All seeks to tackle inequalities in access to green and blue spaces across Coventry. The partnership is led by Coventry City Council and made possible by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund 🙏

Thank you to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust for inviting us to be a part of !

ID. A photo of Grapevine community organiser Ari Fairgrieve outside on a sunny day next to a river. A smiling Ari wears a red top and brown over-the-shoulder bag with their auburn hair while standing on a wooden platform.

Address

123 Upper Spon Street
Coventry
CV13BQ

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+442476631040

Website

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