BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Power to Change - ECPv6.15.16//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Power to Change REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T133000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001411 CREATED:20250513T160343Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250605T161134Z UID:89464-1749126600-1749130200@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:Webinar: Lessons in local growth DESCRIPTION:The Prime Minister has made strategic authorities a key part of his plans for national economic growth\, asking metro mayors to produce Local Growth Plans for their regions. Power to Change’s new report\, ‘Lessons in local growth’\, argues that alongside boosting high growth industries these growth plans provide a timely opportunity to create inclusive growth\, by working with organisations in the social economy – like community businesses\, co-operatives and social enterprises.  \nJoin Power to Change and regional and local partners as we launch our new report and discuss how strategic authorities can help drive inclusive local growth through partnership and support for local social economy organisations.   \n \n Sign up for the event\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nicola Steuer (Chair)\n Deputy Chief Executive\, Power to Change \n \n\n\nNicola provides leadership to Power to Change’s think-do work\, through leading the Practice and Innovation\, Strategy and Culture\, Organisation Services and Finance teams. She convenes partners at a local\, regional and national level to work alongside community business\, improving outcomes for people and places and generating insights to influence policy. \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Natalie White \n Practice and Innovation Manager\, Power to Change \n Natalie is the lead author of this report. Natalie is a Practice and Innovation Manager at Power to Change\, she manages our partnerships with local and regional authorities\, and oversees the delivery of a portfolio of activities and investments that shape the conditions for community business and the wider social economy to thrive in place. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afzal Hussain \n Chief Officer\, Witton Lodge Community Association \n Afzal is Chief Officer at Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) – a dynamic social enterprise and community landlord in Birmingham. Prior to this\, he led large-scale urban regeneration schemes in Coventry and Birmingham\, during his tenure in local government. He is a staunch advocate of community-led approaches\, with a proven track record of driving transformation and impact\, most recently through his work on WMCA’s Social Economy Cluster and the creation of Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN). \nAfzal also undertakes several Board roles. He is a Chair of Birmingham Metropolitan College\, Chair of Health Inequalities\, Communities and Economies (HICE) Committee at Birmingham and Solihull ICB\, and a Member of West Midlands Mayor’s Taskforce on Homes. In 2022\, he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jo Leek \n Senior Investment Manager\, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority \n \n\nJo is Senior Investment Manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority\, specialising in social investment\, business support and people projects. She has 18 years professional experience across various sectors including financial services\, business support and energy. Her experience spans across private and public sector\, social economy and higher education. \nShe was awarded her PhD in 2019 which looked at the role of social enterprise in wider system transformation. Her PhD\, along with diverse professional background gives her a holistic view of the complexities and interdependencies that exist within Economic Development. She also is a Director for the Institute of Economic Development. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kate Duffy\n Founder\, Junction Point CIC \n Kate Duffy is the founder of Junction Point CIC\, an infrastructure organisation that supports changemakers to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. With 16 years of experience in the social sector\, Kate has worked to strengthen the social economy from the ground up — particularly in places where access to support is patchy or postcode-dependent. She leads the North East Changemakers community and is currently developing nationally recognised qualifications to professionalise support for social entrepreneurs. Kate is passionate about championing practical solutions that ensure purpose-led people have the tools\, networks\, and confidence to lead sustainable change. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catch up on the webinar:\nIf you missed us\, you can catch up on the panel discussion. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the recording URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/lessons-in-local-growth/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Gavin-Forster-Photography-7389.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Power to Change":MAILTO:comms@powertochange.org.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250520T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250520T133000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001412 CREATED:20250415T155528Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T172401Z UID:89099-1747744200-1747747800@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:The economic contribution of community business DESCRIPTION:Power to Change has long advocated for greater investment in and support of community business\, but there has been a gap in the quantitative evidence base around the unique economic contribution that community business makes\, both at national and local levels. \nPower to Change’s new report\, ‘The economic contribution of community business’\, provides an estimate of the total economic contribution made by community business in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA)\, the first time this has been done in the sector. In this panel discussion\, we will discuss the findings of this research\, and the ways in which community businesses can use key figures to make the case for investment. \n \n Sign up for the event\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nick Plumb (Chair)\n Director of Policy and Insight\, Power to Change \n Nick provides overall direction for our policy\, research\, communications and advocacy work. He oversees a team which develops new policy thinking\, carries out original research and analysis\, builds Power to Change’s profile\, and champions community business \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Linda Hien\n Insight Manager\, Power to Change \n Linda ensures Power to Change’s research and insight programme is rigorous\, creative and high impact. She oversees and provides guidance for research across the organisation\, and gathers robust evidence and learning around the community business sector. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Andrew Graves\n Director\, Ortus Economic Research \n Andrew is an analyst\, evaluator and project director\, having worked in the economic development field for 31 years. Throughout his career\, Andrew has been at the forefront of designing and delivering research and evaluation projects related to economic policy. His impact project experience covers innovation projects\, strategic plans\, capital investments\, cultural programmes and skills development projects. He has worked for a wide range of clients giving him extensive experience of a breadth of policy and organisational contexts. He counts many of the key UK economic policy organisations as his clients. Andrew is currently leading the 6-year impact evaluation of the National Innovation Centre for Data on behalf of Newcastle University. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Andrew Rowell\n Director\, Ortus Economic Research \n Andy has more than 25 years’ experience as a data analyst and researcher. Andy was formerly Head of Observatory at Trends Business Research Ltd\, leading a team of specialist data analysts and statisticians also responsible for the maintenance and development of TBR’s in-house research database of firm-level business information\, called TCR. Prior to joining TBR\, he was responsible for the regional programme of research and analysis at Learning and Skills Council North East and subsequently\, Young People’s Learning Agency\, North East. Andy has extensive experience of research and evaluation in the areas of economic development\, social inclusion\, education and skills. He has designed and led many research studies focused on identifying policy recommendations or assessing the impact of policy initiatives. He leads Ortus’s analytical work\, both in the UK and internationally. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Stephen Miller\n Consultant \n Stephen is an independent consultant with almost twenty years’ experience of supporting charities\, community businesses and social enterprises to achieve greater impact by demonstrating their unique value and improving how they work. He specialises in social research\, policy\, and social innovation\, all with the common goal of creating a fairer and more inclusive economy. Examples of his recent projects include: supporting NHS Scotland redesign healthcare services to transition towards net zero;  supporting a new charitable foundation to develop their strategy and evaluation framework as they seek to bring about a fair and just food and farming system; and supporting a housing association to develop a community investment strategy to maximise social value. Stephen has previously held senior research and policy roles at Design Council and UnLtd – the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs\, and was most recently Director of Delivery and Impact at Power to Change. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the webinar:\nCatch up on our report authors discussing the research alongside Andy Graves\, Andrew Rowell\, and Stephen Miller. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the webinar URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/the-economic-contribution-of-community-business/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Kittys-Laundrette-2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Power to Change":MAILTO:comms@powertochange.org.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250508T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250508T133000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001412 CREATED:20250415T130733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T152507Z UID:88692-1746707400-1746711000@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:Closing the void: How we reconnect politics with associational life DESCRIPTION:Our democracy is in poor health. Trust and satisfaction with political parties and government is at an all time low and the gap between people and power is growing wider by the day. \nBut it’s not a strongman leader people want to change this. It’s more citizen involvement in democracy. This is according to brand new polling from More in Common for Power to Change. Power to Change’s new report\, Closing the Void\, explores whether people who are involved in associational organisations – from community businesses to working men’s clubs\, residents’ associations to sports teams  – are more likely trust democratic institutions than those who are not. \nJoin us\, and a panel of political and community experts\, on Thursday 8 May to hear more about this research and how we can rebuild trust in democracy from the ground up. \n \n Sign up for the event\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nick Plumb (Chair)\n Director of Policy and Insight\, Power to Change \n Nick is a co-author of the report and the chair of this event. Nick provides overall direction for our policy\, research\, communications and advocacy work. He oversees a team which develops new policy thinking\, carries out original research and analysis\, and champions community business.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Charlotte Hollins\n Manager of Fordhall Farm and We’re Right Here campaign leader \n Charlotte is the founder and general manager of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative\, England’s first community owned farm\, with a community membership reaching over 8\,000. Fordhall Farm is approaching 20 years in community ownership and through its lifetime\, Charlotte has supported countless more communities to place land into community ownership. She is also one of eight leaders working on the We’re Right Here campaign for community power\, and is piloting a community covenant in her hometown of Market Drayton with close to 20 local organisations. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Deborah Mattinson\n Political Consultant \n Deborah Mattinson is a political strategist\, entrepreneur\, and leading voice in public opinion. A mastermind behind Labour’s 2024 election win\, shaping British politics for over 30 years. Now in the House of Lords\, she continues to drive progressive change and national conversation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Josh Westerling\n Policy Manager\, Power to Change \n \n\nJosh is a one of the authors of the report.\nJosh leads on Power to Change’s advocacy work. He generates ideas\, strategies\, and research to influence change\, building coalitions to do so\, alongside people with real-world experience. As the organisation’s lead on ‘community power’ Josh has led the organisation’s recent policy and advocacy work in this area\, as well as supporting new practice in places across England. He advises the We’re Right Here campaign on its political strategy\, which has successfully campaigned for a Community Right to Buy. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Linda Hien\n Insight Manager\, Power to Change \n Linda is a co-author of the report.\nLinda ensures Power to Change’s research and insight programme is rigorous\, creative and high impact. She oversees and provides guidance for research across the organisation\, and gathers robust evidence and learning around the community business sector.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Marc Stears\n Director\, UCL Policy Lab \n Marc Stears is an internationally regarded academic\, political strategist\, speechwriter and executive educator\, who specialises in creating dynamic collaborations between academic researchers and broader society. Currently the inaugural Director of the UCL Policy Lab\, Marc has previously been Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney\, CEO of the New Economics Foundation\, Professor of political theory at the University of Oxford and chief speechwriter to the UK Labour Party. He enjoys a worldwide reputation as a leadership coach and communications strategist\, having supported Board and Executive Committee members for major organisations including for some of the world’s largest companies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the webinar:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the recording URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/closing-the-void-how-we-reconnect-politics-with-associational-life/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2019_NW_The-Proud-Trust_2-people-sticking-postit-notes-on-wall_LGBT-ASS-YP.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Power to Change":MAILTO:comms@powertochange.org.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250507T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250507T170000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001412 CREATED:20250326T171548Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250417T150246Z UID:88488-1746633600-1746637200@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:Trading for Good Information Session #2 DESCRIPTION:Do you run a project or organisation that exists to improve your local community? Is it led by local people and trading for community benefit? Do you find it challenging to find time to spend growing your business? \nTrading for Good can help you develop your community business through a specialist programme of support. \nWith a group of others like you\, you will learn from the experts\, and each other\, to grow your community business. You will also receive a Match Trading™ Grant that combined with the learning programme will support you to develop trading income streams and build a resilient community business. This programme will give you the knowledge\, skills\, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges. \n\n\n\n\n \n More about Trading for Good\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nAbout the webinar\n\nThis session will cover details about the Trading for Good programme\, its eligibility criteria\, and how to apply. This session is run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs. \n\n\n\n\n \n Register for the webinar URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/trading-for-good-information-session-2/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TFG-Community-Business-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250408T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250408T130000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001412 CREATED:20250326T171037Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250328T161412Z UID:88470-1744113600-1744117200@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:Trading for Good Information Session #1 DESCRIPTION:Do you run a project or organisation that exists to improve your local community? Is it led by local people and trading for community benefit? Do you find it challenging to find time to spend growing your business? \nTrading for Good can help you develop your community business through a specialist programme of support. \nWith a group of others like you\, you will learn from the experts\, and each other\, to grow your community business. You will also receive a Match Trading™ Grant that combined with the learning programme will support you to develop trading income streams and build a resilient community business. This programme will give you the knowledge\, skills\, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges. \n\n\n\n\n \n More about Trading for Good\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the webinar\n\nThis session will cover details about the Trading for Good programme\, its eligibility criteria\, and how to apply. This session is run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n Register for the webinar URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/trading-for-good-information-session-1/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TFG-Community-Business-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241211T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241211T133000 DTSTAMP:20260609T001412 CREATED:20241122T100445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T162734Z UID:86888-1733920200-1733923800@www.powertochange.org.uk SUMMARY:Department stories: How communities are reimagining a national institution DESCRIPTION:Communities across the country are developing their own solutions to the decline of department stores\, tackling both high street vacancy and the loss of these important social spaces. They are part of a wider movement of communities taking back their high streets\, bringing new life to old buildings to strengthen their communities and keep money circulating in their local economies. \nPower to Change launches a new report\, ‘Department stories: How communities are reimagining a national institution’. This online discussion showcases the communities across the country repurposing empty department stores and other historic high streets assets to create vibrant and needed spaces in their community. We discuss how community business\, government at all levels\, and key stakeholders can help communities create the high streets of tomorrow. \n \n Read the report\n \n Watch the event recording\n \n \n \n \n \n Speakers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jonn Elledge (Chair)\n Journalist \n Jonn Elledge is a freelance journalist and broadcaster\, writing for titles including the Guardian\, i Paper and CapX and contributing a weekly column to the New Statesman. He was previously an assistant editor at the NS\, where he was responsible for launching and editing the urbanism site CityMetric\, hosting the Skylines podcast and writing a lot of angry columns about transport\, housing policy and Brexit. His books include A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines On Our Maps (2024); while his weekly Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything Substack\, a baffling digest of politics\, history\, geography and nerdery. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Graham Soult\n Retail Consultant\, Canny Insights \n Graham Soult is a high-street champion who founded the retail consultancy business CannyInsights.com in 2010. A passionate advocate for building strong networks and partnerships\, Graham is the chairman of networking organisation Durham Business Group. He’s been a Fellow of the Institute of Place Management (IPM) since 2018. He also served as an Expert within the High Streets Task Force\, a government initiative\, which ran from 2019 to 2024 and was managed by IPM\, to support communities and local authorities in England in transforming their high streets and strengthening local place leadership. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Jess Craig\n Policy Manager\, Power to Change \n Jess works with colleagues and external partners to deliver policy-relevant research and develop well-informed policy ideas that support community businesses to thrive. She helps to build strong relationships with central and local government to put community business on the policy agenda. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dr Julian Dobson\n Senior Research Fellow\, Sheffield Hallam University \n Julian is a researcher and writer with a broad interest in place and society\, and a particular focus on the complex systemic changes required to achieve environmentally and socially just approaches to urban life. His research expertise is in social and economic regeneration\, urban greenspace\, town and city centres and the civic role of universities. He is especially interested in how and why change happens and the role of evidence in shaping policy and practice. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Kathryn Chiswell Jones\n CEO\, Artspace UK \n Kathryn Chiswell Jones has headed up Artspace Lifespace since 2017 and co-founded Sparks Bristol with Jenny Foster of Global Goals Centre in 2023. Artspace Lifespace is an arts charity managing unique venues to provide affordable spaces for artists to make\, develop and showcase their work. We offer a mix of artists’ studios and space for exhibitions\, filming\, events\, rehearsal and independent retail across our Bristol venues The Island\, The Vestibules\, Broadmead XP (The Galleries)\, Sparks Bristol and the Arts Mansion in North Somerset. \n \n \n \n Read the report URL:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/event/department-stories-how-communities-are-reimagining-a-national-institution/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.powertochange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SPARKS-51.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Power to Change":MAILTO:comms@powertochange.org.uk END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR