Salford CVS VCSE Conference 2024 - Climate Crisis: Keep calm and carry on? The role of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector

Salford CVS are pleased to announce that our annual Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Conference is returning on Wednesday 30th October 2024 and will be held in person at Salford Community Stadium.

Last year our annual conference explored the theme of ‘Justice for Disabled People: The role of the VCSE Sector in Salford’

At this year’s conference, we are focusing the conversation on ‘Climate Crisis: Keep calm and carry on? The role of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector’

Should our sector sit back and wait for government and industry to address the impact of climate breakdown, and reduce CO₂ emissions? Or should our sector play a key role in responding to a changing climate, and also look to capitalise on the opportunities of the UK’s low-carbon transition?

We are already seeing how a changing climate is affecting our world, from extreme heat in summer, forest and heathland fires, flooding events, more powerful storms and hurricanes, increased desertification, pressures on food supply and water creating conflict and migration. It’s happening here in the UK, and Salford too.

Such negative impacts always impact most on those who are already in greatest need; the same communities that we serve as charities, community groups and social enterprises. The VCSE sector will be on the front line in helping local people adapt and cope in the years to come. We’ve always risen to challenge of wars, pandemics and austerity. We can do this; but how?

It's not all doom and gloom. For decades our communities have come together to develop energy conservation and renewable energy projects, food growing initiatives, greener transport options, habitat and wildlife restoration, and campaigned for cleaner water and stronger action to protect our climate.

Join Salford CVS as we unpack the issues and highlight how we are already taking positive action and identify how we can do even more. Keep calm and carry on? That’s not the Salford way. We need to pay attention, get busy and take action!

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.

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 vegan 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
• Hearing loops provided (please indicate if you require one on the booking form)
• We aim for this conference to be inclusive to everyone – so if you have difficulties in traveling to Salford Community Stadium, please contact office@salfordcvs.co.uk no later than 5pm on Friday 25th October, to see how we can help. Also, see our page of Useful Travel Information or learn more about the Travel Challenge

Keynote speakers:

TBC

Workshops:

Morning Workshops

The ‘tofu’ elephant in the room - How eating more plants and less meat is good for our health, climate and wildlife

Put your money where your mouth is - How to use our spending to support our local economy, communities and the wider environment

Putting the brakes on fast fashion - How can we slow down fast fashion through reusing, repurposing, and recycling

Afternoon Workshops

Green shoots - Local food growing for health, wellbeing and fun

Climate equality, diversity and inclusion - How environmental action can contribute to social justice

Winning hearts, minds and votes - Campaigning for a faster and more just low-carbon transition

Harnessing community energy - Taking back control through generating power and conserving energy

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 

Travel Challenge:

The focus of this year’s conference is to identify the practical steps that we, Salford’s VCSE sector, can take to reduce our environmental impacts. However, the only Salford venue that can accommodate us all is a ‘bit out of the way’, meaning most travel there is by car, often with only one occupant! As a conference delegate, are you up for traveling in a way that helps reduce carbon emissions, limits air and noise pollution, and might even benefit your health? If so, we want you for our Travel Challenge 2024!

Find out more about the Travel Challenge and ideas of how to reach the venue in a low-carbon way

Please click 'register now' to book your place.