Over 100 charities and community groups, the Leader of the Council, funders, and corporates for Southwark’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) attended this year’s State of the Sector event.
It was an opportunity to reflect on all that the VCS and its partners have achieved since we launched the State of the Sector report together last year.
We are thankful to Bankside Hotel for hosting us and generously providing refreshments. We started the day with fruits and pastries and ended it with a light lunch.
The event began with a warm welcome from Community Southwark’s CEO Anood Al-Samerai who introduced the day and explained the purpose of the State of The sector. This was followed by a presentation on Southwark 2030 by Cllr Kieron Williams.
State of the Sector presentation slides
Attendees were then divided into one of three break rooms for an in-depth discussion on:
- Funding (Housing, Green spaces, Employment, Children and Young people, Physical and Mental Health & Safety).
- Premises
- Relationships with Corporates
Funding
“It was good to connect with people again. We never do this enough…It has informed our approach to grantmaking” [United St Saviours, Funder]
Premises
Premises summary & handouts and Premises Interim report
“There needs to more focus on property readiness and alternative ways in which property can be undertaken, to alleviate pressure on small business, and CVS orgs. These should be site specific schemes with property/ies being appropriately managed alongside programmes.” [Mortar]
Relationships with Corporates
Corporates Powerpoint – CS Business Breakout
Corporate handout – Breakout Room 3 Handout
Community Southwark’s Corporate Project Year One Report
“As a representative of the corporate side, I realised the importance of keeping the conversation open and constructive with members of the third sector, ensuring that both sides can bring to the table their best skills, networks and ideas in order to have the best impact on the community.” [Mercato Metropolitano, Corporate Partner]
Networking
“Thank you Community Southwark for bringing together funders, charities, businesses and local government – it doesn’t happen often enough and I spoke with several people who would like to see it happen more! Really enjoyable and insightful event in a beautiful venue, meetings lots of contacts while making new connections” [Disability Sports Coach, VCS Member]
Next Steps
It was lovely to celebrate the progress we have made together in funding, premises, and relationships, whilst understanding there is much more to be done. The 4th Oct event gave us some hugely helpful input from charities, community groups, funders, businesses, and the council and NHS so that we can continue to work in partnership for a more equal Southwark.