Wokingham Voice of Inclusion and Equality (VINE)
Community United has joined the Wokingham Voice of Inclusion and Equality (VINE), a borough-wide partnership of residents, voluntary organisations, community groups, and public sector partners working together to address inequality, champion diversity, and create a stronger sense of belonging across Wokingham. Developed from the former Equality Forum, VINE ensures that the voices and lived experiences of diverse communities, particularly those representing protected characteristic groups and seldom-heard residents, help shape local policies, services, and decision-making. [wokingham.gov.uk]
VINE works closely with Wokingham Borough Council and other partners to promote equality and inclusion through collaboration, community engagement, and co-production. Its achievements include supporting community diversity grants, helping to develop the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and leading awareness activities linked to National Inclusion Week, Black History Month, and Learning Disability Awareness Week. [wokingham.gov.uk]
The Chair of VINE is Alice Kunjappy-Clifton, who brings extensive experience in community engagement, health inequalities, inclusion, and social justice. Under her leadership, VINE is focused on moving beyond conversation to action, ensuring that community voices influence meaningful change and that inclusion is embedded across the borough’s organisations and partnerships. This aligns with VINE’s commitment to turning lived experience into practical action and creating solutions with communities rather than for them.
Community United is pleased to be part of VINE and looks forward to working alongside local residents, community organisations, and strategic partners to help build a more inclusive, equitable, and cohesive Wokingham Borough.