Brexit presents serious challenges for the UK social sector. The three years since the country voted to leave the European Union (EU) have thrown up a series of questions—how best to respond to it, how to prepare for it, how to mitigate against it where needed—that remain unanswered.
Ongoing uncertainty for charities and voluntary organisations is as big an issue as it is for businesses, the likely impact on the people, places and causes they represent, just as great—but neither have received the debate and attention they rightly deserve.
We believe there is urgent need for the social sector to discuss the momentous changes that Brexit will bring, provide a public platform to raise concerns and begin to develop a greater sense of collective understanding of, and responsibility for, the challenges ahead.
At this event we’ll be asking:
Is the sector prepared for Brexit?
What will the funding environment look like post-Brexit, how will it be delivered—and by who?
What effect will Brexit have on philanthropic funder behaviours?
How has the sector come together to champion the rights of EU nationals in post-Brexit Britain?
What should the role and mission of the sector be post-Brexit?
Do we need to rethink the nature of our relationship/commitment to so-called left-behind, Brexit voting areas?
What new opportunities are there for the sector?
Speakers include:
Tony Armstrong, Locality
John Downie, SCVO
Belinda Prattern, Equally Ours
Kirsty McHugh, Mayors fund for London
Debbie Pippard, Barrow Cadbury
Programme:
10.00-10.15 Welcome to the day: Jane Thomas and Nathan Yeowell; introduction to morning session
The new frontier: How we got here and where to now?
10.15-10.45: Opening provocation: A new frontier? Duncan Shrubsole, LBFEW
Response: How we got here—and what current trends tell us about our future? TBC
10.45-11.00: Discussion and question session on challenges, threats and opportunities for the sector. Reflections from:
Sue Tibballs, Sheila McKechnie Foundation
John Tizard, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
Debbie Pippard, Barrow Cadbury Trust
11.00-12.00 Open out to audience for Q&A
12.00-12.15 Break
Sector coming together
12.15-12.30 Recap, reflections and thoughts for the sector to take forward
12.30-13.00 Sector coming together case study: The Transition Advice Fund
13.00-14.00 Lunch
The new frontier: Funding through Brexit
14.00-14.15 Introduction to afternoon session, Jane Thomas
14.15-14.45 Opening provocation/keynote: Will the sector survive? Navigating new funding and unlocking the power of local communities, Tony Armstrong, Locality
14.45-15.45 Panel/sofa discussion and Q&A on changing funding landscape post-Brexit; how nations and regions are responding; how can we plan and coordinate more effectively?
Chair: Belinda Pratten, Equally Ours
Kirsty McHugh, Mayor’s Fund for London
John Downie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Phil Fiander, Wales Council for Voluntary Action
15.45-16.15 Reasons to be cheerful? Closing keynote and Q&A, TBC
16.15-16.30 Next steps, thank and goodbye
