Programme

Opening Plenary

Future-Proof Your Workforce: How to Thrive in the Digital Age
Dr Nicola Millard, a Principal Innovation Partner at BT, and Stephen Dallas, the CEO of a charity, are actively exploring how to improve the use of digital technologies in a voluntary organisation.  They will share insights on leveraging digital tools, developing future workforce skills, and rethinking leadership approaches. This engaging discussion will explore the cultural and technological shifts necessary to help your organisation thrive in what is a rapidly evolving digital landscape and to pave the way for a future where AI is an integral part of organisational success.

Closing Plenary

Misinformation in the Digital Age - What Can We Do About It?
Tara Mills will chair our closing panel discussion featuring Dr Orna Young, a renowned expert in digital communication and media literacy, and Amanda Ferguson, an acclaimed journalist and advocate for truth in media. They will explore the pervasive issue of misinformation, its impact on society, and practical strategies to combat it. Join us for an insightful conversation as we delve into the challenges in navigating the complex landscape of digital information and begin to understand how we can amplify the voice of the sector around the issues that matter.

Engagement Hubs

A space for conversations, connections, inspiration and learning.  

Developed and hosted by NICVA Members, our Engagement Hubs are an opportunity for delegates to shape discussions and conversations around the areas that are important to them, as well as an opportunity to showcase best practice examples and innovative approaches of the VCSE in driving positive social change.

Morning Sessions (12pm - 1:15pm)

  • A Changing Society: The Future of Gender Equality in Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network and Women’s Aid Federation NI
    Join WAFNI and NIRWN as they discuss how Iceland leads the way on gender equality and what lessons Northern Ireland can take in its fight to end violence against women and girls.

    Hub 3 - W5 Life (Ground Floor)

  • Digital Dynamics: Harnessing AI for Productivity and Efficiency

    Bytes Project
    A hands-on practical workshop designed to explore AI’s transformative impact on productivity and efficiency. Dive deep into three interactive hubs: productivity and administration, social media applications, and team collaboration. This interactive session is delivered by Bytes Digital Innovation, a new subsidiary of Bytes Project.

    Theatre

  • The Power of Volunteering: Unleashing Potential and Transforming Communities

    Volunteer Now, Ulster GAA and Parkinson's UK
    Approximately 21% of the NI population volunteer contributing essential hours, skills, experience and enthusiasm to vital causes, communities and activities. Volunteer Now, Ulster GAA and Parkinson’s UK explore how inclusive, innovative and impactful volunteering can make a difference to your volunteering community.

    Hub 1 - W5 (Level 5)

  • Faith and the Future: Uniting Communities?

    NICVA Faith Project with Craigavon Foodbank

    Does faith-based provision in community development have a future in the voluntary and community sector?  A practitioners panel will consider the ‘highs and lows’ of faith-led community development and consider how the faith sector can play its part alongside other stakeholders engaged in community work.

    Hub 4 - W5 Life (Ground Floor)

  • Cultivating Collaboration: Community-Driven Research and Partnerships

    North West Community Network with NfP Research and Queen's University, Belfast
    NWCN are hosting this seminar on re-balancing power to communities, focusing on community research partnerships. Discussions will include changes in attitudes towards the sector and highlight the potential of community-engaged research and learning for social change.

    Hub 2 - W5 (Level 5)

  • Navigating Tomorrow: The Future of Sustainable Travel in Northern Ireland

    Belfast Healthy Cities, with Sustrans, Community Transport Association and QUB
    Belfast Healthy Cities hosts a discussion exploring current sustainable travel options in Northern Ireland, latest research and current policy. The session will encourage participants to take an active part, considering creative ways to put people at the centre of towns and cities and discussing what is needed to ensure sustainable travel is the preferred mode.

    Hub 5 - W5 Life (1st Floor)

  • Proof of Life Beyond Belfast: Why We Need Rural Proofing

    Rural Community Network, North Down Rural Community Network and Cookstown & Western Shores Area Network

    Hosted by RCN, this workshop will focus on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities in Northern Ireland. The workshop will aim to explore strategies for achieving balanced regional development, ensuring that rural areas are not left behind in terms of economic growth, infrastructure, and social services.

    Hub 6 - W5 Life (1st Floor)

Afternoon Sessions (2:45pm - 4pm)

  • Kitchen Tables and Garden Sheds: Getting Back to Where We Started

    Trussell and Inspire
    Trussell and Inspire will host a reflective and interactive conversation on the next wave of changes in our sector, how we ensure we are being authentic and focused on people and issues not transactions and organisations.

    Hub 2 - W5 (Level 5)

  • Caring for the Carers: How to Stay Sane While Saving the World

    Relate NI, Start 360 and Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAHMI)
    This session will explore the unique challenges faced by caregivers, including Helping Related Trauma. The panelists will share personal experiences and discuss what can be done to help carers cope with and heal from trauma, while continuing to provide compassionate care to others.

    Hub 5 - W5 Life (1st Floor) 

  • Social Investment: Transformation for Lasting Social Change in Northern Ireland

    Mid & East Antrim Area Partnership, Arts & Business NI, Seacourt Print Workshop and Social Finance UK
    The panel will discuss the potential of social investment as a mechanism to support individual mission-based organisations and outcomes, as well as civil society more broadly, highlighting case studies, insights and experience from implementing successful social investment projects.

    Hub 4 - W5 Life (Ground Floor)

  • United for Change: Leveraging Collective Power to Shape Policy and Practice

    Strategic Stakeholder's Forum and Reimagine Children’s Collective
    This session will explore how collaboration between community and voluntary sector partners can influence government policy and enhance practice with insights on collaboration challenges and practical examples of community benefits.

    Theatre

  • Reimagining Impact: Creative Approaches for Meaningful Measurement

    Circusful, Thrive and Limestone United Project
    This practical and interactive session will take a closer look at how you can gain a better understanding of the impact of your work by taking a simpler and more creative approach to both delivery and evaluation.

    Hub 1 - W5 (Level 5)

  • Empowering Communities: Strategies for Inclusive Engagement and Support for New Residents

    Conway Education Centre and STEP Programme, Dungannon

    Conway Education Centre will lead a discussion on how to address the needs of refugees, asylum seekers, and new residents in disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland, including barriers to inclusion, sharing solutions, and highlighting good practices.

    Hub 6 - W5 Life (1st Floor)

  • Peacebuilding Transforming Communities from the Bottom Up

    Debbie Watters OBE – Northern Ireland Alternatives with Professor Darren Kew, The Kroc Peace and Justice School, University of San Diego
    Thirty years on from the ceasefires, this session will explore the role of peacebuilding in the community sector and the contribution it has made to transforming a culture of violence and empowering grassroots communities.

    Hub 3 - W5 Life (Ground Floor)

Immersive Learning Zones

Dive into Knowledge, Engage Your World
The Immersive Learning Zones will highlight our members’ innovative projects through interactive and firsthand experiences. No booking is required; simply drop in and explore.

  • Experiential Dementia Awareness - Old Library Trust and the DEEDS Project

    DEEDS’ unique experiential training immerses participants in the perspective of someone living with dementia, highlighting their experiences and challenges. It offers insights into how dementia impacts the senses and provides opportunities to ask questions about the training and the social support model for people with dementia and their carers/families.

    W5 Life – Ground Floor – Hub 3

  • Reduce your Risk - Hive Cancer Support

    Reduce Your Risk cancer prevention workshops offer essential cancer prevention strategies to combat environmental toxins and plastic use. They offer practical tips on reducing plastic exposure and how to use the YUKA app for safer personal care products. The Hive Team delivers interactive, child-friendly sessions in community centres, youth clubs, and primary schools, now also available trí mheán na Gaeilge.

    W5 Life – Ground Floor – Hub 4

  • Everyone sees differently: understanding sight loss - RNIB NI

    Join RNIB NI staff and volunteers for your chance to experience Sim-Specs (glasses simulating a range of eye conditions), sighted guiding, and to explore our range of services and supports for people with sight loss across all aspects of their lives including assistive technology, employment, leisure, and transport.

    W5 – Level 5 – Hub 1

  • Theatre of Witness Network

    The Theatre of Witness Network uses performance to give voice to marginalized individuals. It brings together diverse communities to share stories of truth, healing, and reconciliation. You will have an opportunity to watch a short 10-minute film showcasing the impact of bringing people together from diverse backgrounds through dialogue and storytelling.

    W5 - Level 5 - Theatre 

  • Smart Play: Future Thinking With Purpose - Waymaker

    Smart Play is a creative, play-based workshop which uses Lego Serious Play to unlock innovative solutions, improve team collaboration, and develop clear strategies for growth. Come and experience this hands-on, interactive demonstration.

    W5 - Level 0  

  • Impact Masterclass with Centre for Effective Services (CES)

    Staff from CES will deliver a short practical masterclass on impact and evaluation, including, understanding the essentials of evaluation and how do you know that your activities are achieving the outcome you expect – no booking required.

    W5 - Level 5 – Hub 2

Pecha Kucha Podcast 

In Association with USEL Skills For Work and Life Programme

The Pecha Kutcha Podcast Team will be offering insightful interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the event, capturing diverse voices and delegate insights. Collaborating with USEL Skills for Life and Work Students, host Jason amplifies student voices through podcasts, video, and film, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. This invaluable audio archive will be available post-event.

W5 - Level 4 & 5

Thank You to our Partners