On 26 November 2025, we gathered at St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead for the VONNE Annual Conference & AGM — this year under the banner “Shifting Sands – How should the VCSE sector navigate changing political climates and public opinion?”
It was a half-day of thought-provoking discussion, honest reflection, and renewed commitment — a moment for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to take stock and prepare for what lies ahead.
What We Explored: Key Sessions & Conversations
Setting the Political Scene
We opened with a fireside talk from Alistair Clark (Professor of Political Science, Newcastle University), who laid out the current political backdrop for the region and the UK more broadly. This set the tone for the entire conference: we need a clear understanding of where the political winds are blowing if the VCSE sector is to remain effective and influential.
Building Stronger Communities — Lived-experience Panel
In a powerful panel chaired by Ngozi Cole, leaders from across the sector shared experiences from the frontline — including representatives from organisations such as My Sister's Place, West End Refugee Service, Northumberland CVA, Rainbow Home, Space North East and North East Anti-Racism Coalition. Their testimonies brought lived reality into sharp focus — from challenges around inclusion and diversity to the daily practicalities of delivering services in uncertain times.
Working with Political Leadership in a Changing Landscape
A further panel — bringing together leaders from organisations such as Durham Community Action, Support Staffordshire, legal specialists from Muckle LLP, and national-scale organisations such as Refugee Council — discussed how the sector can engage with political leadership, adapt to shifting public opinion, and influence policy effectively. It was a crucial conversation about strategy, advocacy and collaboration in uncertain times.
The AGM — Accountability, Governance and Future Direction
Alongside the conference sessions, members took part in the AGM: reviewing last year’s accounts, approving AGM minutes and auditor appointments, and participating in the election of trustees. This underlined the democratic foundations of VONNE — ensuring that the organisation remains accountable, representative, and responsive to its members.
Key Takeaways
1. The landscape is shifting — but we’re not powerless
With ongoing political changes and evolving public opinion, the challenges for VCSE organisations are real. As highlighted by Alistair Clark’s opening, uncertainty may be the new norm. But the consensus at the conference was clear: by staying informed, connected, and proactive, the sector can adapt — and even influence that shifting environment.
2. Community-level insight matters more than ever
From faith-based groups to refugee support networks, the community organisations present made a compelling case for localised, grassroots knowledge. Their hands-on experiences — from delivering frontline services to building trust in diverse communities — remain vital and must continue to inform policy and funding decisions.
3. Collaboration between VCSE and political leadership is essential
The second panel’s discussion underscored that relationships between voluntary organisations and local/national policymakers must evolve: not as a luxury, but as necessity. To navigate changing policy climates, VCSE groups need to be active participants — shaping decisions, sharing real-world insights, and advocating collectively.
4. Resilience, flexibility and foresight will define success
Organisations agreed that being effective in turbulent times will mean embracing resilience: being flexible in delivery models, open to partnerships, and ready to respond swiftly to change. As the sector looks ahead, developing foresight — anticipating shifts and preparing for multiple scenarios — emerged as a priority.
5. The role of VONNE remains central — and evolving
As the regional support body for more than 1,500 member organisations across the North East, VONNE continues to play a crucial role in holding together the threads of collaboration, representation and influence.
In this dynamic environment, VONNE’s work facilitating connections, intelligence sharing, funding support, and advocacy remains more important than ever.
"Thank you to the whole VONNE team for pulling off such an insightful and thought provoking event."
What’s Next — Building on the Momentum
- Strengthening cross-sector networks: In light of common challenges, there’s appetite for deeper collaboration across organisations — sharing best practices, pooling resources and amplifying collective voice.
- Engaging more with policymakers: The call for stronger relationships between VCSE organisations and political leadership requires follow-up. VONNE and its members will need to plan more structured engagement, regular dialogue, and strategic input into policy formation.
- Prioritising data, evaluation, and evidence-based planning: As uncertainty becomes a constant, reliable data and evidence will help organisations make smarter decisions — and build stronger cases for funding, support and impact.
- Supporting resilience and adaptability at grass-roots level: Funders, policymakers and support bodies (including VONNE) should invest in capacity building — ensuring grassroots organisations have the flexibility, resources and skills to respond to shifting demands.
In Summary
This year’s conference, “Shifting Sands”, was more than just a gathering — it was a reality check, a call to action, and a source of renewed energy for the VCSE sector. While the challenges ahead may be significant, the commitment, creativity and solidarity demonstrated by attendees show that the sector is not just adapting — it’s preparing to thrive.
We look forward to working with our members, partners and stakeholders to build on the insights gained — and to navigate the years ahead together.