‘Advocating and Influencing’ is the theme for the first day of the 2022 Norfolk VCSE Annual Conference. It came from VCSE Sector Leaders. In October, the Norfolk VCSE Leaders Voice Network discussed the importance and complexities around advocating and campaigning to influence change. For charities that want to support, or oppose, a change in government policy or the law the publishing of a 5-minute guide on political campaigning by the Charity Commission in October 2022 provides a useful overview of the rules. It seems more important than ever to work together in partnership to advocate for and influence change. This is all the more vital considering the many challenges we are all facing

Green Influencers Scheme

The Green Influencers Scheme highlights the impact of taking positive action. This aims to engage young people with the natural world and inspire youth social action. The Scheme provides an opportunity for young people to take a creative lead on a public campaign. It also seeks to inspire local communities (of all ages and backgrounds) to take action on the environment. In September 2022 they printed a youth-led newspaper ‘The Green Influencer’ sharing local reports relating to the climate emergency, as well as other editorial features devised by the group, and published a blog about this experience. With Alex Day at SOS-UK sharing practical examples and case studies on how to help inspire nature connectedness on a budget as part of a Good Practice Workshop earlier this year, available to watch here.

Norfolk’s VCSE Sector Conference

To support peer learning within the VCSE sector the Norfolk VCSE Leaders Voice Network invites VCSE sector colleagues and wider professionals interested in learning about how to effectively advocate for clients and communities and influence change to join the Networks session on Monday 21st November from 13:00 to 15:00. By bringing together ‘VCSE expertise by experience’ we aim to provide an opportunity for peer learning and collective discussion. Come along and learn from sector colleagues such as Emily Balsdon, Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN)’s Director.

She will reflect on their campaign to raise awareness of the unfolding cost-of-living emergency and unprecedented demand on advice services. Their declaration of a cost-of-living emergency has been picked up by local media, including the Eastern Daily Press in October 2022, and seen engagement from some of Norfolk’s Members of Parliament (MP)s who along with over 100 other people attended NCAN’s Partnership Meeting (Cost of Living Crisis Update) on 9th November 2022.

Book your place

This virtual session hosted by Norfolk’s VCSE Leaders Voice Network will provide an opportunity to learn from VCSE sector colleagues and wider professionals about how to effectively advocate for clients and communities and influence change.

Click here for more details and to register for this online session.