Since 2006, the Community Involvement Unit has hosted an annual conference at Durning Hall for the Third Sector in east London allowing dissemination of information, practical workshops and opportunities for networking.

The Community Involvement Unit feels it is important to provide an opportunity for third sector staff, volunteers and management committee members to take a step back from simply reacting to the day-to-day pressures of running their organisations and to focus on the future. Our conferences offer the chance for local groups to discuss ways of improving partnerships and to learn more about how this important area of work can be strengthened.

(For more information on this conference, please go to Resources, here.)

Key Speakers:

A Different Kind of Wealth
Independent voluntary and community groups are increasingly encouraged to become more like businesses - by those who often fail to understand our role. Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), explains why we should celebrate the ways we are different from profit-making organisations.

An Essential Part of East London's Wellbeing
In east London, third sector organisations employ hundreds of people, involve thousands in voluntary activities and bring millions of pounds into the area, making them essential to communities and the economy. Lisa Greensill, of the Government Office for London, speaks about the growing recognition within government that without the voluntary, community and faith sectors, local authorities would struggle to develop and maintain active, cohesive, vibrant communities.

The Value of Independent Action
Voluntary and community action forms an essential part of the checks and balances we need within our democracy. To play this role effectively, we must be able to act independently - from the local and central government and from other powerful interests. Penny Waterhouse, from the National Coalition for Independent Action, speaks about the need to promote and demonstrate the value of independent voluntary and community action and, where it is needed, dissent.

Our second annual conference focussed on new opportunities to improve and develop the relationship between the local Third sector and local statutory bodies.

Jeff Masters, Policy Manager with responsibility for Public Sector Partnerships at the government's Office for the Third Sector.
Eric Sorensen, Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway London Partnership.
Richard Corden, Chief Executive of the Commission for the Compact.

Stephen Timms MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Punita Goodfellow, from the Charity and Third Sector Finance Unit at HM Treasury.
Janice Renowden from consultants Rocket Science.
Marika Dalgliesh, an independent consultant.