The Oversight Trust was able to have its first in person fact-finding visit to Wolverhampton on 16 February 2022.
Hosted by BCRS (a local Community Development Finance Institution) at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park, the Oversight Trust Board was able to meet and hear presentations from organisations and social enterprises that have received social investment funded by Big Society Capital, Access or Fair4All Finance. We were able to explore with local experts the challenges of youth unemployment in the Black Country, of relevance to Youth Futures Foundation, and the affordable credit landscape in the region. We also heard from Mark Taylor, the Deputy CEO of Wolverhampton City Council, about local government plans for the area and initiatives to “Re-light the City”.
Our particular thanks go to Steve Deakin and his team at BCRS for hosting and Kevin Davis for organising the event and cleverly avoiding both Covid disruptions and major storms.