Our Voluntary Sector Forum was a great time with 43 of us in the room from over 30 different organisations who work with the community. Thank you for those of you who came on the day.
The point of this event was to meet local organisations and ask, how can we make our forum events better? Together, we’re looking forward to build more empowering networks for people who work with the community in Wandsworth.
In this article we share the results of ideas in the room, and ways you can join in at our community informed events for non-profits, and community projects in Wandsworth.
What do you like about attending networking events in the sector? You told us
Getting out, meeting people, sharing food, and changing up the routine. Hearing interesting stories, catching new ways of working collaboratively, and learning new things.
What are your biggest challenges to attend an event? You told us
Being too busy, location, lack of capacity, lack of purpose, no built-in time to network, no reason to attend, not knowing who will be there, not having clear communication. Start and end of the working day are better times.
What excites you most? You told us
Contact information being shared in creative ways, some reimbursement for travel/time, knowing who will be there. Having targeted relevant and inspiring information. A calendar of options to enable choice. Sharing, valuing and appreciating each other. Time efficiency with a smooth running order. Creative formats with clear benefits like skills, benefits, wellness resources.
Good follow ups!
How can we make events open accessible and inclusive to all? You told us
Good travel links to venues, sharing advance information. Having a mix of online and in-person meetings. Vary the timings, but the end and start of the day works well to get away from the to do list easily. Think about incentives and engaging ways to include everyone.
We’re taking this feedback onboard to create an exciting new set of events and switch up the agenda. Do you want to come along to an upcoming event?
We have a Children and Young People Forum happening on Tuesday 23rd April – 10am
And save the date for our next VSF – Wednesday 5th June – 10am
