VSNW Conference and AGM 2025

'From Uncertainty to Strength – Building Capacity & Resilience in Our Sector' will be held at the King's House, Manchester on 27 November 2025.

In 2025, the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector is operating in an increasingly challenging environment. With welfare budget cuts, economic pressures, and growing demand for services, many organisations are being pushed to do more with less. This year’s VSNW Conference and AGM focuses on one key question: how do we move from uncertainty to strength? We will explore how the sector can build its internal capacity, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of public service delivery across the North West.

There will be keynote talks, breakout workshops for discussion, and opportunities of networking.

Keynote Speakers

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of Directory of Social Change

Workshops

Case Study in Managing Cuts to Your Organisation: The Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme
by Al Baldwin, Human Resources Manager, 42nd Street

Stronger Finance for Charities: Building Sustainability and Resilience
by Matthew Brown, Chief Executive, Adding Value Consultancy

Sustaining People, Sustaining Impact: Being a Good Employer
by Yen Tan, Operations Director, VSNW, Jamie Legge, Operations Director, We Are Survivors, and Abbie Layland, HR & Operations Manager, SWAN Primary Care Network

Making Change Happen - A 60-minute Guide to Campaigning
by Alex Jones, Head of Programmes, Sheila McKechnie Foundation

Strategic Convening for Change: Including the Voice of Lived Experience
by Jule Palfreyman, Chair, and Ayisatu Emore, Partnership Coordinator, Greater Manchester Equality Alliance

Refreshments and lunch will be provided. The event is free to attend, and is aimed at VCFSE leaders that are members, associates or partners of VSNW. If you're not yet a member, now is a great time to join us as a member and connect with peers across the region.

Thank you, we look forward to welcoming you to our conference and AGM.