More than 160 passionate and ambitious leaders, residents, and partners from across the borough came together at the first We Are Walsall conference.
They celebrated shared successes and explored new ways to collaborate—working towards making Walsall the most improved borough in the region by 2040 and a vibrant, thriving community people are proud to call home.
The event, held on Tuesday 24 June, also marked the launch of the first We Are Walsall 2040 biannual report, showcasing the significant progress made in the 18 months since the strategy’s inception.
Sasha Jones, Married at First Sight star, podcaster and ambassador for the partnership, hosted a lived experience panel, joined by inspiring speakers, including keynote speaker Steven Smith, founder of Poundland.
Steven's story is one of determination and vision. He began working at local markets and eventually expanded to managing industrial-sized units—before going on to found Poundland.
“When you share your business idea and people laugh, it usually means you're on to something,” he says. “Most people laughed when I told them about Poundland.”
His top tips for success included: "Unless you believe in what you're doing, no one else will.", "You're only as good as your people." and "Look after your customers—or someone else will."
Also sharing their stories were Gavin Burrows from TMA Trojan, Sylwia Juranek from Reach for a Star CIC, Joel Rushton a Young Citizen and Virginia Mpofu, Social Worker. They talked about challenges they have overcome and the meaningful impact they have made in their communities.
Describing her biggest achievement, Sylwia said: "Creating my own space and designing community groups took a lot of hard work. Not everyone opens doors for you, sometimes you have to find the strength to invite yourself into that space. It can be intimidating; it's a journey.”
Throughout the day, facilitated workshops drove forward key priorities—health, productivity, crime, children and young people, net zero, and financial inclusion—with insights that will continue shaping the borough’s future.
Fay Shanahan, Corporate Director of Operations and IT whg, said: “We invest millions of pounds each year in building new affordable homes for people who desperately need them and in maintaining and improving our existing homes.
“We are deeply committed to working collaboratively with our partners to address the challenges our borough faces and unlock opportunities for everyone. The We Are Walsall 2040 Strategy enables us to work together to make our borough the most improved in the region, and we’re proud to play our part in this vision.”
The day finished with an insightful Q&A with leaders from housing, education, NHS, community and police – tackling everything from funding to future skills.
Emma Bennett, Chief Executive of Walsall Council, closed the event reflecting on her key takeaways: “It’s about opening doors, not removing barriers. Talking much more about creating opportunities, not challenges. Together we are far better placed to overcome these challenges. The power of We Are Walsall 2040 is partnership.”
Shaped by the voices of more than 10,000 residents, businesses and organisations the We Are Walsall 2040 Strategy launched in 2023.
Their feedback showed people want a thriving borough where they feel safe, with clean green streets and spaces, good jobs and leisure opportunities for all. The strategy was built on four ambitions of We Are Thriving and Happy, Healthy and Well, Prosperous and Innovative and Proud of our Borough.
Copies of the report can be downloaded from wearewals0all200.walsall.gov.uk
