Wellbeing in the Voluntary Sector Conference 2026
Previous Supporters include:
Overview
Voluntary and community organisations are navigating a particularly challenging period, marked by rising demand, financial strain and growing pressure on the people who keep services running. Staff and volunteers are facing increasing workloads, leaving many struggling to maintain balance and wellbeing. Recent findings from the VCSE Observatory show concerning trends across the sector:
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: The State of Wellbeing in the Voluntary Sector
- Highlighting the key wellbeing pressures facing staff and volunteers, including financial strain and burnout
- Exploring how constraints of voluntary organisations shape wellbeing across teams
- Examining the approaches charities are using to support staff and volunteer wellbeing
- Considering how the sector can make progress by focusing on the conditions that allow people to work sustainably and feel supported
Dr Ben Evans, Research Fellow, Nottingham Trent University and VCSE Observatory (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Supporting the VCSE Paid Workforce
- Identifying which Professional Support interventions can be used to support VCSE staff.
- Examining how support can be tailored to VCSE staff with different protected characteristics and needs
- Identifying the enablers and barriers to implementing Professional Support for VCSE staff
- Co-producing resources for stakeholders on implementing Professional Support.
Dr Alexis Foster, Senior Research Fellow, University of Sheffield (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Tackling Staff and Volunteer Burnout Across the Sector
- Reframing burnout as a signal that the organisation’s current ways of working need attention, rather than something staff or volunteers should push through
- Strengthening internal boundaries by making it clear what volunteers can reasonably take on and by ensuring the pace of work does not constantly spill beyond what is manageable
- Developing supportive structures that give people regular space to reflect on their workload and emotional strain and ensure they have somewhere to take concerns before they escalate
- Encouraging leadership behaviours that set a sustainable tone showing that rest, open communication about pressure and realistic expectations are part of effective management
Kate Parrinder, Deputy CEO, Oxfordshire Community Foundation (invited)
Keynote: Supporting Staff with Emerging or Complex Wellbeing Needs
- Encouraging a culture where staff feel comfortable talking about their mental health by offering privacy when needed and consistent reassurance that concerns will be handled respectfully
- Creating individual support plans that reflect each person’s situation, including adjustments to workload
- Equipping managers to notice when someone may be struggling and to handle conversations with confidence so support can be put in place early
- Integrating wellbeing into everyday management by making it a routine part of check-ins, ensuring that your organisation supports people through difficult periods
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Keynote: Retaining Talented Staff and Volunteers
- Analysing the underlying reasons staff and volunteers leave roles, such as heavy workloads, limited security and rising burnout
- Designing development pathways that help people grow through expansion of responsibility and roles
- Framing wellbeing as a central retention tool by illustrating that support, reasonable pacing and conscientious supervision reduces the risk of people feeling overwhelmed or undervalued
- Helping leaders plan for long-term retention by recognising how gaps in staffing affect teams and why investing in people is vital for stable services
Jane Van Zyl, CEO, Working Families (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Supporting Staff Wellbeing During Organisational Restructuring
- Leading structural change in a way that reduces uncertainty and protects trust by being clear about processes and expectations
- Aligning restructuring decisions with the charities’ values so people maintain a sense of connection during transitions
- Engaging staff and volunteers through frequent communication that gives them space to express concerns and feel included in transition processes
- Supporting managers and teams with the guidance they need to stay resilient while navigating change
Lisa Davidson, Transformation Director, Christian Aid (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking: Sharing Wellbeing Support Strategies in your Charity
Use this session to network and consider what steps you would take in the next 12 months to improve wellbeing in your organisation.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Building a Trauma Informed Culture in your Charity
- Acknowledging that trauma can shape the way people work and interact, and build awareness across teams in your organisation
- Shaping cultures so routines and communication reduce the chance of people feeling overwhelmed or unsafe, and create a workplace where predictability and clarity help staff and volunteers
- Supporting managers and supervisors to respond supportively when someone is distressed, giving them the confidence to hold conversations and make adjustments to help the volunteer or staff member regain stability
- Ensuring trauma-informed values are integrated into long-term planning, ensuring the organisation is a place where people feel respected and able to contribute without fear of re-triggering past experiences
Linda Lewis, Trauma-Informed Trainer, The Survivors Trust (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Managing Emotional Load and Caseload Pressure in Frontline Teams
- Reviewing caseloads in a way that accounts for emotional intensity as well as volume
- Creating debriefing spaces after difficult situations so staff can process emotional strain rather than carrying it alone
- Supporting staff to prioritise work in a way that supports their wellbeing by helping them navigate what needs attention and what can be delegated
- Adjusting expectations during crisis periods so people feel able to set limits and keep a working rhythm
Maria Grazia-Zedda, Head of EDI and Wellbeing, Marie Curie UK (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers
Dr. William Fleming
Wellbeing Research Centre
University of Oxford
Tiger de Souza MBE
Executive Director of People and Culture
Samaritans
Mandy Jones
Service Manager
British Red Cross
Katie Bradshaw
Senior Consultant, Volunteering
NCVO
Testimonials
It was a very good session, with excellent speakers. I really enjoyed hearing about their experiences and will take away many things.
Amazing and able to apply immediately.
This was an excellent event with relevant content for our sector which gave us lots of ideas to consider for the future
A worthwhile conference that highlights the importance of in-house staff wellbeing, promoting an positive working culture, and identifying ways of improving how we support our employees.
Why You Should Attend?
- Understand the latest wellbeing pressures facing staff and volunteers across the sector
- Learn practical tools to reduce burnout, manage workloads and strengthen support
- Build leadership skills that create healthier, more sustainable working cultures
- Hear real case studies on supporting staff through change, complexity and emotional demand
- Connect with peers and leave with clear actions to improve wellbeing in your organisation
- Gain 8 hours worth of CPD Points
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title | Organisation Type |
|---|---|
| Head of Inclusion | Local Charities |
| Director of People & Culture | National Charities |
| Volunteer Recruiters | Community Interest Companies (CICs |
| Heads of Wellbeing | Health & Social Care Charities |
| Volunteer Manager | Volunteer Centres |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
