Inclusion and Diversity in the Voluntary Sector 2022

Over the past few years, increasing attention has been drawn to the lack of diversity at both senior leadership and board levels in charities, as highlighted by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). While there has been an improved focus on developing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies, with both the Charity Commission and National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) publishing comprehensive strategies over the last 3 years, it is clear change will take time. For example, although there has been a small increase in the number of Charity CEOs from ethnic minority backgrounds, increasing from 4.2% in 2008 to 6% in 2020, there is still a long way to go. Through engaging with best practice examples of inclusion and diversity policies and strategies, and by sharing challenges and solutions with colleagues from across the sector, voluntary sector professionals can continue to drive positive change in their organisations on all levels.

• Disabled people in senior positions across the sector often felt the need to hide their impairments if they wanted to be accepted as leaders, according to research commissioned by ACEVO in 2021
• Around 45% of respondents to an ACEVO 2021 survey said that they had been subject to ignorant or insensitive questioning about their culture or religion
• Women make up 63% of the voluntary sector workforce, but only 32 of the UK’s top 100 charities have women serving as Chief Executives, according to the a 2018 NCVO report
• 18% of LGBT+ staff in the voluntary sector have experienced negative comments from colleagues, and 12% of trans people have been physically attacked at their job, reported Stonewall in 2022

Join us at Inclusion and Diversity in the Voluntary Sector 2022 to hear the latest equity, diversity and inclusion strategies and trends from leading experts. Engage with a range of best practice case studies, including developing a successful EDI policy, implementing inclusive recruitment processes, and engaging staff of all levels in EDI initiatives. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from across the voluntary sector to share experiences in listening to and engaging with staff to drive inclusive and diverse outcomes.

Why Attend:
✓ Hear from expert speakers about the latest guidance for improving inclusion and diversity in charities
✓Engage with best practice case studies for achieving positive organisational change
✓ Listen to a wide range of topics including creating an inclusive culture, creating networks and diversifying the workforce
✓ Network with speakers and senior colleagues from across the voluntary sector
✓ CPD (gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

This is a live event taking place online:
✓ Access a full live event with 8 hours of CPD points from home
✓ Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓  Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓ Review event materials and presentations post-event

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 10.00

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Professor Daniel King, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Developing a Whole-Organisation Approach to Improving Inclusion and Diversity in the Voluntary Sector

  • Guidance for implementing an organisation-wide equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policy in charities of all sizes
  • Strategies for identifying institutional biases to drive improvements at all levels of the organisation
  • Insights into removing the stigma around holding colleagues accountable and effectively handling complaints
  • Developing internal frameworks to embed EDI into governance structures and communicate EDI principles across all managerial levels
  • Implementing regular training for staff to ensure a more inclusive organisational culture for minority staff

  Dr Priya Singh, Chair, National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 11.00

  Icebreaker Networking Session

   

• 11.20

  Comfort Break

• 11.35

  Case Study: Writing and Implementing a Successful Inclusion and Diversity Strategy

  Kunle Olulode MBE, Director, Voice4Change England (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Case Study: Creating a Socio-Economically Diverse Workplace: Tackling Class-Related Barriers to Progression

  Roger Harding, Former CEO, RECLAIM (CONFIRMED)

• 12.15

  Questions and Answers

• 12.35

  Lunch Break

• 13.15

  Breakout Networking: Overcoming Challenges in Listening and Engaging with Underrepresented Employees

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the challenges you face in having open conversations with employees from all backgrounds to improve inclusivity at work. This will allow you to share experiences with your peers and encourage cross-sector collaboration on inclusion strategies to improve the staff experience in the voluntary sector and how to reflect the communities you serve.

• 13.45

  Keynote: Volunteers: Attracting and Supporting a More Diverse Voluntary Workforce

  • Tackling internal systemic discrimination toward volunteers through a robust anti-racism and gender equity strategy
  • Strategies for creating inclusive volunteering programmes and attracting a more diverse range of applicants that reflect the community
  • Offering additional support for ethnic minority volunteers through safe spaces, networks and wellbeing representatives
  • Tips for ensuring inclusion and diversity initiatives start at the beginning of the volunteer experience and support remains long-term
  • Resources to train and engage staff managing volunteers to be actively inclusive

  Sharon Gitau, Equality, Inclusion & Diversity Officer, AFIUK (CONFIRMED)

• 14.05

  Case Study: Creating Policies to Encourage Diversity and Inclusion in the Voluntary Sector

  Fenella Porter, Head of Equalities, Oxfam (CONFIRMED)

• 14.25

  Questions and Answers

• 14.45

  Comfort Break

• 15.05

  Case Study: Effectively Engaging with Staff to Build an Open and Inclusive Workplace Culture

  • Facilitating open conversations about race, sexuality and disability to understand and address the challenges minority staff face
  • Establishing a clear list of commitments to ensure that EDI standards are maintained, and building staff confidence to speak out if not
  • Tools for developing network groups for staff and engaging with national campaigns to provide additional support
  • Creating transparent EDI policies, including a detailed Trans and Non-Binary inclusion policy, to communicate commitment to inclusion
  • Measuring employee attitudes through surveys and programme evaluations to drive future change

  Ali Oliver, Chief Executive, Youth Sport Trust (CONFIRMED)

• 15.25

  Case Study: Staff Voice: Establishing and Engaging with Allyship Groups and Networks

  • Developing a framework to incorporate networks and the staff voice into EDI consultations
  • Using networks to provide support to staff and volunteers tailored to their specific identity
  • Allies: enabling staff who are not of a network’s identity to support network activities and learn from colleagues
  • Improving accountability within management teams to overcome the barriers minority groups face
  • EDI champions: promoting visible role models across networks to make progression paths for minority staff clear

  Katie Fox, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Victim Support (CONFIRMED)

• 15.45

  Questions and Answers

• 16:05

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  *programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers from across the sector
✓ Meet your target audience
✓ Listen and Learn from leading experts from across the further education sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Private Sector Rate: £499.00+VAT
• Public Sector Rate: £360.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £330.00+VAT