The next Norfolk VCSE Leadership Network Meeting is planned for 14th February from 3pm-5pm. It will be hybrid – both online and in person at the Forum in Norwich. The theme will be ‘Collective Influence to Effect Change’.

Anyone in a management or leadership position in the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector across Norfolk is warmly invited to join.

What is the VCSE Leadership Network?

This Network supports those in leadership roles within Norfolk’s VCSE sector by creating a space for relationships to develop and experiences to be shared, providing peer support which informs and strengthens collective influencing.

Last summer the Empowering Communities Partnership collected feedback from sector colleagues on the Network, its value, aims and purpose. Common themes that emerged were listening and discussing, influencing, and connecting with other VCSEs and stakeholders.

What will this VCSE Leadership Network meeting involve?

This session is themed ‘Collective Influencing to Effect Change’, recognising that the sector represents a wealth of experience, expertise and innovative ideas which could be leveraged to influence policy locally, regionally and nationally. However, many local leaders find it difficult to know where to start with campaigning, or are unsure how to come together to strengthen their influencing power.

In this session we will welcome a speaker from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) who will share their work to develop an election manifesto on behalf of the charity sector. The manifesto will present a range of ways the next government can work with non-profits to make a positive difference. NCVO want to ensure the manifesto truly represents the views, priorities and challenges of VCSEs, so are seeking feedback nationwide. Following NCVO’s presentation, we’ll invite you to share your thoughts on the key issues affecting Norfolk VCSEs and the communities we support. We’ll aim to capture your feedback on the manifesto and submit this to NCVO in order to ensure the voices of Norfolk’s non-profits are heard.

We will also hear from organisations who have led successful campaigns to effect change at a local level. Ruth Stokes, Campaigns Lead at Norfolk Community Advice Network (NCAN), will lead a breakout session on Demystifying Campaigns, and Empowering Communities partners will facilitate a discussion about collaborating locally on the pressing topics affecting the sector.

How will the event run?

The first part of the session (3-4pm) will be available to join online as well as in-person (hybrid), with the following hour (4-5pm) providing a face to face opportunity for sharing ideas, connecting and networking.

Please indicate when booking whether you will be joining in-person or online. Do get in touch if you have any questions about this via enquiries@ecnorfolk.org.uk

Other useful information

The session will be held in The Gallery at the Forum, Norwich and online via Teams.

The Gallery is on the Ground Floor and is fully accessible by wheelchair.

There is paid parking at The Forum, plus several bus stops are a short walk away. Norwich bus station is approximately 5 minutes walk away. We encourage you to lift share or travel via public transport where possible.

For more info on getting to the venue, click here.

If joining online, a Teams link will be sent to you approximately 1 week before the event.

This free event is brought to you by Voluntary Norfolk and Community Action Norfolk as part of the Empowering Communities Partnership. If you require any adjustments to help you attend this event, please get in touch via enquiries@ecnorfolk.org.uk

We hope you can make it!