We are pleased to invite you to VSNW’s Annual Conference & AGM taking place on Wednesday 23rd November 10am-4pm at The Midland Hotel, Morecambe.
The title of this years’ event is “Navigating Crisis - North West VCSE Leaders’ Summit by the Sea”.
Our communities are facing a cycle of crisis. From Covid-19 to the cost of living, to climate change. How can we ensure the VCSE sector weathers the storm, helping navigate and support communities when they need it most?
The conference is free to attend, and is aimed at VCSE leaders that are members, associates or partners of VSNW. Due to a limited number of spaces, we would appreciate no more than two delegate bookings per organisation.
Our keynote speakers will be:
Dr Tammy Boyce – Researcher & Writer - Co-author Marmot Review 10 Years On, Sustainable Health Equity: Achieving a Net-Zero UK
Professor Erinma Bell MBE – Chief Executive of CARISMA (Community Alliance for Renewal, Inner South Manchester Area) and Community Peace Activist recognised for her work tackling gun crime in Moss Side and Longsight
We would be particularly grateful for our members’ attendance for our AGM.
Please download our event programme for the day here
Workshops
We are currently in the process of planning an exciting schedule of workshops as below. Please select your workshop preferences at the time of registering. We will confirm which workshops will take place based on uptake, and will confirm your workshop allocation for the conference in the week prior.
Building community wealth
Financial resilience of the sector
How do we help our communities through this economic crisis?
Supporting our VCSE workforce
How do we ensure equality is at the heart of all we do?
Trustee Board Opportunities
As a membership organisation, we are always looking for more trustee board members to have a say on the future of Voluntary Sector North West. We are particularly interested in recruiting board members from Lancashire & Cumbria. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a trustee board member, you can get in touch for an informal chat with Yen at Yen.Tan@vsnw.org.uk with the subject header “VSNW Trustee Board Membership” by Friday 14th October.
Membership
Are you interested in becoming a member of VSNW and joining a strategic network of organisations across the North West?
Membership is free and without formal commitment. You can find out more about membership here, or email Anna Cooper anna.cooper@vsnw.org.uk.
You can sign up to membership here.
Location
The summit will take place at The Midland Hotel, Morecambe. Address is:
The Midland Hotel
Marine Rd W
Morecambe
LA4 4BU
Click here to plan your journey.
Food & drink
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, with arrival, morning and afternoon coffee breaks. There will be a buffet lunch of mainly vegetarian, hot and cold food. If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies please indicate this to us in your registration form.
Travel by car
The Midland Hotel has an onsite car park with 65 spaces in total. All parking on site is free for delegates however only available on a first come, first serve basis. Once full, there is another car park opposite the hotel, however this is a paid car park and will be your responsibility.
Travel by public transport
The venue is also easy to reach using public transport; it is close to Morecambe Town Centre and within a few minutes’ easy walking distance from Morecambe Rail Station.
Accessibility
The Midland Hotel Morecambe is wheelchair accessible. The venue is accessible from street level by a ramp access and there is a lift to the meeting rooms and properly equipped accessible washrooms.
If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please indicate this on your registration. If you have any specific questions – please email Anna at anna.cooper@vsnw.org.uk
Safety
To keep our attendees safe, with an increased winter rate of Covid-19, VSNW would kindly request you take a lateral flow test within 48hours before the event and to not attend should you feel unwell or have any Covid-19, cold or flu symptoms.
Should you not have access to a lateral flow test before coming, we will have some available at the venue, however please ensure you arrive by 9:30am so that you have time to complete the test.
We also are making sure:
The venue has good ventilation and a comprehensive cleaning regime
We will have face coverings and hand sanitiser readily available
These measures are subject to change, we will follow local and national Covid guidance.