The Brexit Civil Society Alliance, the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales, 10GM and NPC are hosting a free conference, bringing together the social sector to discuss the potentially momentous changes Brexit will have on charities, voluntary organisations and the communities they champion and represent. Wednesday 11th September, 9:30am to 4:30pm in Manchester.

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?

Programme

New Frontiers Manchester: Wednesday 11th September

09:30 - 10:00 Registration

10:00 - 10:00 Welcome to the day: Jane Thomas, Sally-Anne Greenfield

New Frontiers: Is the social sector prepared for Brexit?
Chaired by Jane Thomas, Brexit Civil Society Alliance

10:10 - 10:40 Opening Provocations:

Duncan Shrubsole, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales
Edna Robinson, chairman of People’s Powerhouse steering group, Trafford Housing Trust and Big Life Group 

10:40 - 12:00 Challenges, threats and opportunities for the sector. Panel Discussion followed by an audience Q&A

Kristiana Wrixon (ACEVO)
Mike Wild (MACC) 
Lisa Eigbadon (RECLAIM) 

12:00 - 12:15 Break

12:15 - 13:15 Sector coming together: breakout sessions on the following topics 

1) Settled status - facilitated by NPC
2) Brexit and Civil Society in the North - facilitated by Mike Wild, Macc
3) Replacement of EU funding: the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - facilitated by Belinda Pratten, Equally Ours
4) A No-deal Brexit - facilitated by Luke Raikes, IPPR North

13:15 - 14:15 Lunch

New Frontiers: How can the social sector help shape a better future for all?
Chaired by Sally-Anne Greenfield, NPC

14:15 - 14:45 Recap from breakout chairs

14:45 - 16:00 ‘How can the social sector help shape a better future for all?’ Panel discussion and an audience Q&A

Alison Page (Salford CVS)
Rachel Rank (360Giving) 
Caron Bradshaw (Charity Finance Group) 
Jess Thomas (Co-op Development Unit) 

16:00 - 16:15 Summing up and close