Elizabeth Finn Care, the Association of Charity Officers, nfpSynergy and Directory of Social Change are hosting a conference on the future of the benevolent sector at Friends House in London on Thursday 20 October.  Dame Diana Brittan, chairman of Independent Age, will chair the conference, which will include presentations on the latest research findings on the sector. There will also be a series of workshops, run by industry leaders and designed to provide practical solutions to common challenges and explore themes emerging from the new research.

Shaping the Future of Benevolence is a free event open to anyone working within the benevolent sector.  It is the first event of its kind for a generation and it comes at a time when charities are not only facing significant financial pressures, but also being called upon to deliver more as part of the big society agenda and as public sector cuts begin to bite.
 
Attendees will hear the findings from one of the most comprehensive research studies ever carried out into the sector, Understanding the Benevolent Sector by nfpSynergy. The research was commissioned by Elizabeth Finn Care in early 2011 and it involved a large-scale survey, as well as in-depth interviews with executives and staff working for a plethora of benevolent organisations.
 
Dominic Fox, Chief Executive of the Association of Charity Officers will lead a session on public benefit along with solicitors from Russell-Clarke. Michele Madden, Managing Director of nfpSynergy will hold a workshop on meeting the challenges of increased demand in the context of reduced incomes, whilst Elizabeth Finn Care Directors, Malcolm Tyndall and Bryan Clover will lead a session on shared working.
 
Conference chair Dame Diana Brittan, former chairman of the Community Fund, said: ‘The reality is, many benevolent charities are experiencing falling incomes, coupled with an increased demand for their services.  This event, and the research it will profile, provides a much needed opportunity for organisations within the benevolent sector to come together to reflect on the challenges ahead, work though solutions and discuss the opportunities that exist for collaboration.’
 
The event takes place from 9am - 2pm at Friends House, London NW1 2BJ. Lunch and refreshments included. For more information or to book a place, email Rob Tolan, Head of Policy and Research at Elizabeth Finn Care: rob.tolan@elizabethfinn.org.uk.

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