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Who are Communities in Sync?
Communities In Sync (CIS) is a Charitable Community Benefit Society with the primary purpose of cocreating and managing high quality health and wellbeing solutions (services and projects) which are delivered by local, not-for-profit organisations.
CIS has a membership of vetted, grassroot, and culturally responsive third sector organisations with extensive experience working in the local health and social care arena. Using its collective strength, the consortium endeavours to secure funding on behalf of its Members to deliver partnership-based services and projects which address health inequalities and gaps in local service provision.
Our members
Our aims and purpose
Improve the quality of life of local people, especially those most in need, through the provision of high quality, responsive, generalist and specialist services in the field of health and wellbeing.
Bid for and secure contracts for delivering services in health and wellbeing (delivered by a group of providers), thus increasing the likelihood that grass roots, small and/or specialist providers are not wiped out from the local supply chain.
Co-produce service development with Members to address gaps in local service provision, and subsequently source funding to deliver those services.
Become a provider of choice and the local single point of contracting, representing a wide range of high quality, vetted charitable organisations.
Our history
In 2015 the Sandwell VCS Health and Social Care Forum, identified critical trends which were impacting negatively on local health & social care services and the provision of these services to those in need. Examples of these concerning trends included the restriction of service provision to those that are only deemed a statutory responsibility and the tendency for larger contracts to be awarded, which may be a disadvantage to smaller organisations.
The impact of these trends was that needs increased within communities, especially for those who are vulnerable, gaps in service delivery were observed and the lack of early intervention created substantial pressures on other services.
In the past, such gaps would be filled by local small organisations who were able to support those that fell through the safety net of state provision. However, the trend towards awarding larger contracts as well as the reduction in grant funding for smaller organisations has meant that this safety net provision was being seriously threatened.
The local authority like many others across the country, faced challenges in prioritising its limited funding allocation. While it has sought to maintain and support organisations which support services linked to its own strategic objectives, it has been less able to maintain funding for the wider range of local voluntary sector organisations working in Sandwell.
The initial reaction to the changing landscape was to initiate discussions about local third sector organisations working more closely together to enable them to jointly bid for larger contracts. Discussions with members of the Health & Social Care Forum in April 2015 suggested that the members were in favour of forming a consortium to help address these issues.
CIS was formally set up as a Community Benefit Society, with charitable status with the FCA and HMRC in December 2016. CIS began delivering its first contract in 2018 and has since built a reputation as a dynamic and responsive organisation having now distributed over £3million of funding to its Member organisations for frontline service delivery.
Our values
At Communities in Sync (CIS), our values shape everything we do, from the services we deliver to the way we collaborate with partners and support our communities.
Rooted in our shared mission, these values guide us in creating meaningful, lasting impact for our residents.
Collaborative partnership: We believe in the power of working together. CIS is built on strong, trusted partnerships between voluntary and community sector organisations. By sharing expertise and resources, we deliver joined-up services that are greater than the sum of their parts, ensuring that no one falls through the gaps.
Value for money: We take pride in delivering high-impact services efficiently. By pooling resources and minimising duplication, we ensure that every pound spent creates the greatest possible benefit for our local residents. CIS offers a cost-effective, coordinated approach that delivers better outcomes and better use of public funding.
Responsiveness & inclusivity: We are committed to serving the diverse needs of our communities, especially those who are often underrepresented or vulnerable. Our services are culturally sensitive, language-accessible, and tailored to meet people where they are, ensuring every voice is heard and every person is supported with dignity.
Excellence in quality: We set high standards for ourselves and our Members because our communities deserve nothing less. Every member organisation of CIS meets a strict quality threshold, and we continuously strive to exceed expectations through ongoing learning, improvement, and accountability.
Empowerment & wellbeing: Our work is about more than delivering services—it’s about helping people thrive. We aim to build confidence, resilience, and independence in every individual we support. Whether it’s through mental health services, social connection, or personal development, we champion wellbeing and self-empowerment.
Together, these values reflect our vision for a more connected, compassionate, and resilient community.
Our team
Nav Rai
CEO
Nav is the CEO at Communities In Sync, with over 25 years of experience in a range of sectors which includes senior roles in strategic commissioning, business development, project management and community engagement.
Nav is passionate about driving meaningful change and creating inclusive, high-impact services which are designed to plug gaps in local service provision.
At CIS, Nav plays a key role in steering the strategic direction of CIS, developing partnerships and creating solutions which are fit for purpose and provide good value to funders. Outside of work, Nav has a keen interest in music, sports (avid Derby County fan), gardening and art.
Nikki-Dee Haddleton
Operations Manager
Nikki-Dee Haddleton is the Operations Manager at Communities In Sync. With over 20 years’ experience in the third sector, Nikki-Dee has held senior roles across national and regional charities. These roles included programme design, strategic planning, governance, and quality assurance which resulted in award-winning initiatives and measurable improvements.
As a consultant and trainer, Nikki-Dee has worked with a range of charities to develop strategic plans, improve impact reporting, and embed project management practices. Nikki-Dee’s inclusive, data-informed approach and ability to translate complexity into clarity has helped numerous organisations build confidence, unlock funding and deliver lasting change for their communities.
Our board
Matt Daniels
Chair, Head of Children, Young People and Families - BVSC
Mark Davis
CEO - Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Claire Dale
CEO – Carers Trust Heart of England
Khatija Patel
CEO – Ideal For All
Tonia Flannagan
CEO – St Albans Community Association
Christine Christie
CEO - Crossroads Caring for Carers
Shane Ward
CEO – West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
Our CIS Strategy 2025–2028:
Involve • Innovate • Deliver
Our new strategy sets out how we’ll work together to strengthen local health and social care through collaboration, innovation, and person-centred services.
It reflects our shared ambition to grow, adapt, and make a lasting impact across the Black Country and Birmingham.
Read our strategy now and join us in building stronger, healthier communities.
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Our funders
Our partners
