Disenfranchised!

How can we lobby and campaign for change whilst practicality supporting disenfranchised communities?

Salford CVS are pleased to announce that our annual VCSE Conference is returning on Wednesday 14th September 2022 and will be held in person at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford.

Last year our annual conference explored the theme of ‘Belonging: exploring identity and place in Salford’

At this year’s conference, we are taking the conversation further with ‘Disenfranchised’

We’ll be exploring how, in the current climate, our sector can both lobby and campaign change whilst also practicality supporting disenfranchised people and communities in Salford?

We hope you will join us!

This conference is free of charge and is aimed at voluntary organisations, community groups, charities and social enterprises who operate in Salford for the benefit of Salford residents.

Come along and listen to some diverse and inspiring keynote speakers; engage in a wide range of practical workshops; and take the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the VCSE sector in Salford.

We are actively encouraging all delegates to wear clothing that speaks to their campaigning passion/cause – whether it’s an old campaign T-shirt, pin badges or jewellery – from CND to Section 28; Anti-Apartheid to Extinction Rebellion; we hope you will join us in expressing yourselves.

We’ll also have some poster displays from over a century of campaigning for change for you to peruse.

Event details:

• Free for VCSE organisations working in Salford for the benefit of local people (spaces are limited to two representatives per group/organisation)
• Refreshments, including a vegetarian buffet lunch, will be provided
• Wheelchair-accessible venue (please indicate any specific access requirements when booking)
• BSL interpreters will be with us throughout the day
• We aim for this conference to be inclusive to everyone – so if you have difficulties in traveling to the AJ Bell Stadium, please contact office@salfordcvs.co.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 9th September, to see how we can help.

Keynote speakers confirmed to date

Kathy Evans, Chief Executive, Children England

Dr Erinma Bell MBE, Chair, We Stand Together

Mo Isap, Chief Executive, IN4group / Salford HOST

Aderonke Apata, Founder and CEO, African Rainbow Family

Sarah Whitehead, Founder, Community Pride CIC / Salford Poverty Truth Commission

Simone Spray, Chief Executive at 42nd Street Charity

Workshops:

• Running Effective Campaigns – the ABC of campaigning, with some inspiring examples to spur you on! From the movement to fight for the right to make #RefugeesWelcome to the campaign for paying a #LivingWage to care workers, Greater Manchester is at the forefront of hundreds of movements and campaigns to fight for social, economic and environmental justice. What can we do together to ensure more people don’t become ‘Disenfranchised’ and fight for the rights of people who already are?
• The Truth About Poverty – there’s lots of talk about social mobility, the rising cost of living, the haves and have nots… what does this really mean for some of Salford’s most disenfranchised citizens? Come along and discuss how we can listen to local voices, campaign for change, and take practical action together
• ‘Seldom Heard’ young people – building on Salford CVS’s recent event on this topic, delivered in conjunction with Salford Youth Council, we’ll be exploring how we can ensure that the Salford ‘system’ hears the voices of young people and listens to their aspirations for change
• Women’s Rights: from winning the vote, to health care, Hooters, and beyond – come along and share your views on the modern-day challenges facing women today and discuss how we can work together in Salford to improve the lives of women and girls
• A Safe Place to Live? - With a growing hostile environment surrounding people seeking asylum, how can we support those individuals simply wanting a safe place to live? What does being a City of Sanctuary really mean? How can we campaign together? What practical support can we offer?
• Making Salford a home from home – From Gypsy / Roma / Traveller communities to more recent arrivals such as British Nationals from Hong Kong, Salford is becoming a more diverse place – so how can we work together to support existing and emerging communities to feel at home in Salford?
• Feeding Salford - The COVID-19 pandemic followed by the cost-of-living crisis have significantly affected the ability of Salford’s most vulnerable communities to adequately feed themselves. This action-focused workshop will focus on progressing key priorities within Salford Foodshare Network’s Feeding Salford Plan; including exploring the challenges of food poverty and food insecurity in Salford - from Healthy Start Vouchers through to Food Banks / Food Clubs and the need for culturally appropriate provision

What we're doing to keep you safe:

• We’re limiting the number of delegates and ensuring there will be plenty of space to spread out
• The venue has good ventilation and a comprehensive cleaning regime in place
• We’ll have face coverings, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser readily available

If you are ill or have any symptoms of illness, or have come into recent close contact with someone who has Covid-19, please don’t attend

• NB - These measures are subject to change and we will follow local and national Covid guidance

Booking:

The information you provide to us will only be used to communicate with you about the event you are booking onto. This will include sending confirmations, joining instructions and post-event feedback and information.

Our conference is for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations that work in Salford.

Maximum of 2 attendees per organisation. Places are free for VCSE organisations 

Please click 'register now' to book your place.