Volunteering Conference 2010:Volunteering and the Big Society
David Cameron's Big Society initiative has put the voluntary and community sector at the heart of the Coalition Government's flagship policy, with assurances being made by ministers that support and finance will be made available to strengthen volunteering structures and to raise the profile of volunteering amongst the public. Initiatives such as the National Citizenship Service, aimed at increasing volunteering amongst school leavers, look likely to be followed in the coming months by further drives to increase volunteering opportunities. Yet whilst this creates an exciting environment for the voluntary sector to work in, tighter public finance will create challenges and difficulties, as highlighted by the recent announcement of a cut in funding to the 'V' initiative.
This Westminster Briefing Conference will give delegates the opportunity to discuss and be informed on the future for volunteering over the course of the next parliament, by both the Government as well as experts in the field. Participants will debate the key issues and opportunities facing the sector over the coming years in terms of capacity building, funding, increasing profile and widening participation. In addition, case studies and workshop sessions will give delegates ideas and examples to take back to thier organisations.
The conference will explore the following issues:
- Investigating the impact of 'The Big Society' on the voluntary sector
- Strategic planning for greater emphasis on public volunteering - how should volunteering intermediary groups react?
- Preparing for the tight finances likely to be prevalent in the short to medium term
- Involving employers fully in local volunteering schemes and infrastructure
- Widening the reach of volunteering - engaging hard to reach groups
- Promoting volunteering as a route to work
- Increasing volunteering capacity and volunteer management capabilities
- Building a strong evidence base of the value of volunteering
Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, charities, volunteer involving organisations, local volunteering networks and intermediary groups, skills and employment service providers, employers, central government, NGO's, welfare groups, local strategic partnerships, social inclusion officers, youth offending teams, community cohesion officers, academia and stakeholders.
For further details and to book a place visit the Westminster Briefing website.
| Date | 29 Sep 2010 (10:00am) – 29 Sep 2010 (4:15pm) |
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| Location | TBC, Westminster |
| Cost | £225 - £395 |