Inclusion and Diversity in the Voluntary Sector 2023

In recent years, growing awareness has been drawn to the lack of diversity in the voluntary sector, most notably in representation across all levels of organisations. Whilst there have been significant improvements with the publication of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies across a vast number of charities, and growing national guidance on improving EDI within the voluntary sector, there are still significant changes to be made to make the voluntary sector a diverse and inclusive space.

In light of this, many charities are implementing measures to create an inclusive workplace culture. Through sharing and engaging with best practice in EDI measures, organisations can increase the diversity of their workforce and create an inclusive environment for all employees.

• 62% of the top UK charities have an all-white board, according to ACEVO
• 6% of board members in large charities in the UK are from ethnic minority backgrounds
• According to the NCVO, in 2021 79% of charity organisations surveyed had drawn up plans to address the EDI issues in their workplace
• Disabled people in senior positions in the voluntary 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

Join us at Inclusion and Diversity in the Voluntary Sector 2023 to hear the latest policies and strategies from experts across the voluntary sector in improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace. You will hear best practice case studies covering a range of key topics, including creating effective EDI strategies and policies, improving retention initiatives for marginalised staff, and forming staff networks to allow employees to share experiences. You will be able to share your experiences and challenges faced in measuring the impact of diversity and inclusion measures through networking with senior colleagues and gain ideas for moving forward.

Why Attend:

✓ Hear high-level keynotes from leading charities on the latest diversity and inclusion guidance and advice for HR and management professionals
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in supporting marginalised staff in the workplace
✓ A wide range of topics including diversifying charity boards, tackling bias and discrimination and attracting a diverse range of volunteers
✓  Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR
CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including Police & Criminal Justice, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

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

• 09.00

  Online Registration 

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

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

• 10.00

  Keynote: Advancing Long-Term Diversity and Inclusion in the Voluntary Sector

  Carol Mack OBE, Chief Executive, Association of Charitable Foundations (CONFIRMED)

  Rowena Estwick, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation (CONFIRMED)

• 10.30

  Keynote: Developing Successful Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives in the Voluntary Sector Through an Organisation-Wide Approach

  • Key insights into communicating to all staff the EDI initiatives and policies in place and guidance on using and enacting them
  • Resources to confront institutional biases and ensure all colleagues contribute to developing an inclusive working environment
  • Conducting widespread staff training to ensure a more inclusive organisational culture for minority staff
  • Measuring the impact of EDI initiatives to ensure their success and secure buy-in for continuous growth and improvements

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

• 10.50

  Questions & Answers

• 11.10

  Comfort Break 

• 11.30

  Case Study: Embedding Accessibility and Inclusion into Recruitment Processes to Ensure a Diverse Workforce

  • Tools for implementing an anonymised recruitment process to overcome unconscious bias when hiring
  • Frameworks to ensure job descriptions adopt inclusive language that is welcoming to all minority applicants
  • Adapting the interview experience: sending questions in advance to create a safe interview environment
  • Using data to create a fair and robust selection process and prioritise inclusion when progressing candidates

  Will Fletcher, Head of Operations and Finance, The Jo Cox Foundation (CONFIRMED)

• 11.50

  Case Study: Ensuring Organisation-Wide Buy-In and Engagement in Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

  • Embedding diversity and inclusion into business priorities to ensure the needs of all staff are a primary focus
  • Demonstrating how staff engagement with EDI initiatives leads to company-wide performance improvements
  • Engaging senior staff and decision-makers in EDI initiatives to ensure funding is dedicated to improving equality and diversity
  • Pioneering company-supported employee networks that champion inclusion and diversity to ensure all employees have a voice
  • Guidance on measuring the impact of equality initiatives to ensure continuous improvements

  Julie Robbins, Head of Inclusion and Diversity, Youth Sport Trust (CONFIRMED)

• 12.10

  Questions & Answers

• 12.30

  Breakout Networking: Overcoming Challenges and Sharing Successes in Measuring the Impact of Diversity and Inclusion Measures

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in measuring the successes and failures of diversity and inclusion initiatives in your organisations. You will gain insights from colleagues across the sector and discuss challenges and solutions.

• 13.00

  Lunch Break 

• 13.50

  Case Study: Recommendations for Tackling Bias and Discrimination Among Staff and Volunteers

  • Combatting internal systemic discrimination toward staff and volunteers through a robust anti-racism and gender equity strategy
  • Creating robust reporting procedures and effective support measures for employees experiencing workplace discrimination and harassment
  • Tools for identifying and overcoming the obstacles minority staff encounter in the workplace to prevent further discrimination
  • Developing inclusive policies to improve diversity and attract minority staff within the voluntary sector

  Mark Johnson, Head of Global Partnerships, Stonewall (CONFIRMED)

• 14.10

  Case Study: Building Employee Networks to Create Safe Spaces for All Employees

  • Pioneering organisation-supported employee networks that champion inclusion and diversity to ensure all employees have a voice
  • Developing a framework to incorporate networks and the staff voice into EDI consultations
  • Guidance on providing tailored support to staff and volunteers for their intersecting identities
  • Using networks to create a community in the workplace and provide confidential support for issues people with marginalised identities face

  Elena Laguna, Director of People Development and Wellbeing, UK Youth (CONFIRMED)

• 14.30

  Case Study: Improving EDI Measures for Volunteers: Supporting a Diverse Voluntary Workforce

  • Implementing volunteering programmes that reflect the diversity of the community to attract a wide range of applicants
  • Setting realistic targets for diversity and creating a plan to achieve them
  • Tools and resources for developing inclusive adverts and outreach to attract a diverse range of applicants
  • Improving the flexibility of volunteer roles and enabling remote and virtual volunteering to encourage wider participation
  • Identifying barriers stopping people from volunteering and best practice solutions to overcome them

  Amy Low, Service Delivery Director, AbilityNet (CONFIRMED)

• 14.50

  Questions & Answers

• 15.10

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be HR professionals and senior managers from across the voluntary sector.

*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 NHS
✓ Meet your target audience in the sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts from across the 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:

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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

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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

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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

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Insert or Chair Drop:

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

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For more information or to discuss the available option please call 0203 961 5002 or email Sponsorship@GovernmentEvents.co.uk 

• Public Sector Rate incl. GE Insights: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate incl. GE Insights:: £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate incl. GE Insights:: £649.00+VAT