Tales from the Wilderness

Ben Fogle

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Ben Fogle

Ben Fogle is an award winning Broadcaster and adventurer. He is the United Nations Patron of the Wilderness.

A former Reservist in the Royal Navy, Ben first appeared on the BBC’s Castaway, in which he was marooned on an island in the Outer Hebrides for a year.

Ben has since presented numerous programmes including Animal Park, Countryfile, Wild in Africa, Wild on the West Coast, Crufts, One Man and His Dog, Country Tracks, Extreme Dreams, A Year of Adventures, Storm City, Harbour Lives, Countrywise, Fisherman’s Lives and New Lives in the Wild.

Ben has made documentaries on Prince William in Africa, disease in Ethiopia, Captain Scott in Antarctica and Crocodiles in Botswana.

Ben has travelled extensively in South and Central America and has toured the world for various broadcasting assignments to more than 200 places including Tristan da Cunha, Pitcairn, St Helena, East Timor, Nepal, Namibia, Kenya, the Arctic Circle, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Libya, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tahiti, Maldives, Tanzania and Morocco.

Ben has worked as a special correspondent for NBC News and has published nine bestselling books, The Teatime Islands, Outposts, The Crossing, Race to the Pole, The Accidental Adventurer, The Accidental Naturalist, Labrador, Land Rover, English

A keen sailor, Ben has run the Marathon Des Sables, swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco and is also a Marathon runner, boxer and cyclist.

Ben’s inspirational speech will cover his adventures and challenges as part of a team and team leader.  He will discuss his initial TV experience as part of a diverse group of volunteers marooned on the Island of Taransay in the Outer Hebrides as part of the series Castaway.

The Power of YOU

Amy and Ella Meek - Kids Against Plastic

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Amy and Ella Meek - Kids Against Plastic

Amy and Ella Meek are the teenage cofounders of the educational, environmental charity Kids Against Plastic. Join them as they talk about their work to encourage a reduction in plastic usage, educate both the young and old on environmental issues, and inspire long-lasting action across generations.

What impact has the pandemic had on volunteering and what is likely to be the legacy for the future?

Sarah Vibert - CEO of The National Council for Voluntary Organisations

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Sarah Vibert - CEO of The National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Sarah Vibert is currently the interim Chief Executive of NCVO, and was formerly the Director of Membership and Engagement, having joined NCVO in January 2020.

Sarah has held a number of leadership roles in the voluntary sector; most recently as Chief Executive of umbrella charity The Neurological Alliance.  Sarah also spent time in senior management roles at Epilepsy Society and In Kind Direct.   She started her career in local government management, including working for The Mayor of London.

Sarah is a Trustee of The Brain and Spine Foundation.

This talk will explore ways in which volunteering has changed during the pandemic – changes to who volunteers, what roles volunteers play and how volunteering is organised.  It will then consider what the legacy might be for volunteering, with a focus on how we can enable volunteering to be more inclusive.

Mental Health, Media and Me.

Katie Thistleton - TV and radio presenter

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Katie Thistleton - TV and radio presenter

Katie Thistleton is a TV and radio presenter, NCTJ qualified journalist and author, best known for her work on BBC Radio 1 and CBBC

After working as a Researcher for CBeebies, Katie made the leap in front of the camera at the start of 2013 and hosted CBBC’s live continuity for over six years, before leaving to concentrate on her work at Radio 1.

After deputising on BBC Radio 1’s The Surgery in early 2016, Katie became the show’s main anchor before being promoted to the coveted Sunday slot with the new ‘Life Hacks’ programme. Katie and her co-presenter Vick Hope, alongside experts offer advice on topics ranging from sexual health and bullying to drink and drugs. In addition, Katie hosts the weekly ‘Life Hacks’ podcast with the show’s resident Doctor, Radha for BBC Sounds. 

Katie has appeared on The One Show and This Morning, hosting a film for the former about the lasting mental health effects of the Manchester Arena attack on young victims, and appearing on the sofa to offer advice. Katie has been an ‘agony aunt’ on This Morning’s sofa alongside Ruth and Eamonn offering advice to young students receiving exam results.  

Katie is passionate about mental health awareness, she is an ambassador for charities Place2be and YoungMinds and is currently training to be a counsellor.   Katie writes a monthly column for Psychologies Magazine about issues regularly faced by twenty-something’s.

During lockdown in 2020 when schools were closed, Katie was chosen to be the main presenter fronting the Bitesize Daily TV shows for secondary school students, linking between educational content and interviewing teachers.

Katie’s debut book 'Dear Katie: Real Problems, Real Advice' was released in February 2018 and offers warm yet honest advice on the multitude of struggles the UK’s children are facing. Katie is currently writing her second book.  Katie also founded and hosted her own show 'The CBBC Book Club' for five years and regularly hosts and judges for book events such as the BBC Young Writers Award, The Lollies for Scholastic and David Walliams’ publication events, amongst many more.  

Broadcaster Katie Thistleton talks about how her own mental health and her interest in the subject has shaped her career in TV and radio and how she has built resilience to deal with the everyday challenges those working in the industry face, as well as how volunteering has impacted on her personal and professional life. Katie is a journalist and author of children’s advice book Dear Katie, was a CBBC presenter for many years and now presents on Radio 1 whilst also training to be a counsellor. 

A little help goes a long way

Steve Brown - Broadcaster, Paralympian, Mentor and coach

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Steve Brown - Broadcaster, Paralympian, Mentor and coach

Steve Brown in a broadcaster, paralympian, mentor and coach.

In 2005 Steve became paralysed when he fell from a balcony and broke his neck. Soon after, he was introduced to wheelchair rugby and in 2012 he captained Great Britain at the London Paralympic Games.

During the build up to the games, Steve was involved in a series of Channel 4 documentaries and the Paralympic campaign, SuperHumans.

Recently Steve has consolidated his sporting credentials taking on hosting duties at Rio Paralympic Games 2016 (Channel 4), World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge (ITV4), Wimbledon, The London Marathon and the Invictus Games for BBC.

Steve has worked on BBC Breakfast, Springwatch (BBC1), Game Changers (Sky Sport 1) and has become a regular correspondent for Countryfile and The One Show (BBC1).     

Since retiring from elite sport, Steve has turned his focus to supporting others to be their best through sport, work and education. He works as a mentor and coach alongside wheelchair rugby and leading projects such as Sky Sports Living For Sport and Youth Games.

Nobody can do it all on their own. TV presenter and mentor Steve Brown wants to tell you how volunteers helped open the door and his eyes to all kinds of possibilities.  

Solution to Pollution

Beach Guardian

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Beach Guardian

Join the Beach Guardian co-founder and marine biologist Emily for a look into some of the key issues facing the environment. As well as examining topics such as plastic pollution, this session will also look at the solutions, and what changes we can make in our lives to tackle the problem. 

Workshop Length:16 mins

Q&A unavailable

Supporting Unpaid Carers in the UK

Carers UK

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Carers UK

There are over 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK who are looking after loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill. Carers UK is a national charity dedicated to supporting and providing a voice for carers. Find out more about our work and what you can do to connect carers with vital information and support.

Workshop length: 20 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Dementia UK and our Volunteer Ambassadors

Dementia UK

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Dementia UK

Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through our Admiral Nurse service. Join us to learn more about this crucial service and how you can support us to provide more Admiral Nurses in the future. 

Workshop length: 22 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 mins

Companion Calls - Alzheimer's Society and Corporate Volunteering during Covid-19

Alzheimers Society

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Alzheimers Society

The coronavirus pandemic is cutting off thousands of people affected by dementia from their families, their communities, and the services they rely on. Alzheimer’s Society launched its Emergency response which included a new volunteer-led service. With over 55,000 telephone calls made, Companion Calls are an opportunity for people affected by dementia to have an informal chat with a volunteer.

Workshop length: 28 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Local Volunteering in a global movement to end modern slavery

The Salvation Army - Anti-Trafficking & Modern Slavery Unit

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The Salvation Army - Anti-Trafficking & Modern Slavery Unit

Volunteers are a vital part of our programme and bring invaluable skills to the service. Join our session to learn about the role of our volunteers and the support we provide to survivors of modern slavery on their journey to sustained freedom. Hear about how you could volunteer for The Salvation Army's Survivor Support Service and be part of a global movement to end modern slavery.

Workshop length: 13 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Creating Disability Inclusive Volunteering

Leonard Cheshire

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Leonard Cheshire

Disabled people are underrepresented in volunteering roles. In addition, disabled people report more negative experiences when volunteering; with 48% of disabled volunteers compared to 33% of non-disabled volunteers. This interactive session will provide the audience with an opportunity to hear strategies to ensure that volunteering is disability inclusive.

Workshop length: 24 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

How has Covid-19 affected access to medicine around the world

International Health Partners

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International Health Partners

In communities around the world affected by chronic poverty, conflict or disasters, easily treatable diseases can mean chronic pain, poor quality of life or even a threat to lives.The Covid-19 pandemic has now further reduced access to quality medicines in lower-income countries. In this session you will get to hear about Europe's largest coordinator of donated medicines, International Health Partners, on how targeted medical donations from healthcare companies can supply disaster hit and vulnerable communities around the world.

Workshop length: 30 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 mins

Saving lives through clean water - A Rotary club disaster response

Water Survival Box

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Water Survival Box

Hear how a small Rotary club responded to a major disaster and started a project to continue to help victims of disasters.

Workshop length:26 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

What are health inequalities, and how can volunteering help to overcome them?

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

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National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

Many people face a range of inequalities in their health and wellbeing. Volunteering can offer lots of opportunities to help to overcome these inequalities. In this session we will explore what health inequalities are, and the impact they can have for both the general public and for volunteers themselves. Join us to hear about some of the ways volunteering can help to overcome inequalities and improve health and wellbeing. 

Workshop length: 22 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

RSPB Volunteers - Not who you think we are

RSPB

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RSPB

RSPB Volunteers not who you think we are, come and explore the range of volunteering opportunities and meet some of our amazing volunteers who are far from a stereotype.  

Workshop length: 8 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Community Defibrillation and the Chain of Survival

Community Heartbeat

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Community Heartbeat

Volunteer for leprosy: help us to find the missing millions

Lepra

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Lepra

An estimated 3-4 million people are living with undiagnosed leprosy across the globe, and each day this disease causes more damage to their health, livelihood, and future. All this, for a disease that is entirely curable. By volunteering your time to Lepra, you can help us to reach those who fear coming forward, due to the prejudice and discrimination they face. 

Workshop length: 15 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Promoting Wellbeing in a Pandemic

AmbaCare Solutions

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AmbaCare Solutions

Covid-19 is probably the largest social, health and economic pandemic that we have seen in our lifetimes. Join us to see how we have adapted the way we deliver our projects to disadvantaged, vulnerable people, and how invaluable our volunteers are in supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing. 

Volunteer Together - the power of local groups to change lives

Motor Neurone Disease Association

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Motor Neurone Disease Association

Charities may be national, but people are local. Our Association covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and our research reach is global, but we recognise that people living with MND are individuals and live in local communities. Therefore it is essential that our support is tailored locally to individual need. Our volunteers are central to making this a daily reality.

Workshop length: 

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Volunteer Visitors - No amputee need cope alone

Limbless Association

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Limbless Association

Our Volunteer Visitor Programme is a peer support service which matches recent amputees with more experienced amputees who can provide practical advice and information relating to limb loss. We now have a number of volunteering roles available and in this workshop, you will learn about the Volunteer Visitor Programme, the different roles available and the support and training that you will receive. 

Workshop Length:23 minutes

Q&A Live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

How volunteers at Cancer Research UK are helping us to beat cancer

Cancer Research UK

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Cancer Research UK

Hear from our Cancer Research UK's smart, bold and ambitious volunteers talking about what volunteering means to them, how they volunteer and the impact that has on beating cancer. 

Workshop length: 24 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

How becoming a Community Speaker can help your favourite charity - and you!

Alzheimer's Research UK

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Alzheimer's Research UK

We are inviting you to join us in hearing about our Community Speaker volunteer role and how this role can impact both the charity you support and you too. During this session, we will talk about the Community Speaker programme at Alzheimer's Research UK; what it involves, how to get started and how you will be making a difference. Hear from one of our Community Speakers as well as the charity to understand more about the role and how to get signed up.

Workshop length: 20 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Citizens' key role in ending modern slavery

Rotary Action Group Against Slavery

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Rotary Action Group Against Slavery

Simple actions by ordinary citizens will together reverse the exponential growth of modern slavery both at home and abroad. Citizens played a significant role in ending transatlantic slavery in the 19c. Today we are better equipped than ever to end this scourge. Learn simple steps that will ensure you can play your part.

Workshop length: 29 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes 

From Hoglets to hedgehogs - engaging the next generation

Hedgehog Friendly Town

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Hedgehog Friendly Town

Learn all about our hedgehog rehabilitation centre. Understand why they are in such decline and explore how you can help. Have a go at our challenges and meet some adorable hedgehogs.

Workshop length: 27 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Volunteers' Week, 1-7 June 2021 - Get involved and be inspired to volunteer.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

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National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

Ever wondered why people volunteer? The reasons are rich and varied! In this workshop you'll be dazzled by the UK's volunteering stats and get to hear three volunteer stories from Radio Brockley, Family Volunteering Club and St John Ambulance. We'll share the theme and launch plans for this year's #VolunteersWeek and show you how we're tying it in with #MonthOfCommunity.

Workshop length: 29 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Fighting Covid-19 together - Health volunteering during a pandemic

St John Ambulance

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St John Ambulance

During Covid, St John Ambulance had to shift its focus and way of working to support the NHS and the health of the nation through the pandemic. Join us in this session to find out how we rapidly adapted our training, used employer-supported volunteering and took on a mass recruitment campaign to give as many volunteers as possible the opportunity to contribute to the health of their communities during this emergency.

Workshop length: 29 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Volunteering to end homelessness in the UK

Crisis

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Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. This workshop will feature our unique volunteer effort each Christmas, and how it has evolved over 50 years, plus our current partnership with The Scouts and their A Million Hands programme, working with 1000s of children, young people and adult volunteers to end homelessness in communities across the UK.

Workshop length: 20 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Come onboard with Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships

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Mercy Ships

This session will help you discover international volunteering opportunities onboard the world’s largest charity hospital ships. Anyone can volunteer with Mercy Ships, from school-leavers to retirees, or someone taking a career break. Join this session to learn about all our opportunities to serve in West Africa.

Workshop length: 28 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

Covid-19 and the rise of Micro Volunteering

Royal Voluntary Service

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Royal Voluntary Service

Royal Voluntary Service, together with GoodSAM, set up the NHS Volunteer Responders programme on behalf of NHS England at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020. Find out how digital technology enabled this micro volunteering scheme and supported other programmes run by the charity during the pandemic. You’ll also be able to hear about the different volunteer roles on offer through the charity and how to join the team.

Workshop length: 19 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

'Water is Life' - WellBoring's journey to provide safe water to 250,000 children in Africa by the end of 2021

WellBoring

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WellBoring

WellBoring is a Volunteer-led UK Charity focussing on new boreholes and the refurbishment of abandoned handpumps in Primary Schools in Sub-Saharan Africa.  We are looking for Volunteers to help steer the Charity and also Fundraisers - 99% of funds go straight out to Africa to 'Make a Difference'.

Workshop length: 15 minutes

Q&A live chat feature is open for 30 minutes

My Story

Brooke Kinsella - An actor of stage and screen

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Brooke Kinsella - An actor of stage and screen

Brooke Kinsella earned a reputable acting career by working in television and theatre since childhood and became a household name in 2004 by landing the role of Kelly Taylor in the renowned soap opera in BBC One’s EastEnders, spending over three years in one of Britain’s best-loved soaps. Not only did this give her the opportunity to reach millions of viewers on a weekly basis, but it also enabled her to pursue charitable passions.  Brooke has supported many causes over the years including Children With Cancer, Shelter, and Centrepoint, she is also a Prince’s Trust Ambassador.

 

In the last decade, Brooke has become better known for her avid campaigning against knife crime after her sixteen-year-old brother Ben Kinsella was tragically murdered in 2008.  She was awarded an MBE by Prince Charles for her campaign work against knife crime in December 2011.

An actor of stage and screen, in the last decade, Brooke has been a passionate and avid campaigner against knife crime, after her 16-year-old brother, Ben Kinsella, was tragically murdered in 2008. Brooke’s campaigning has generated millions of pounds for anti-knife crime services. She also founded a Trust in her brother's memory, which focuses on early intervention and education.

Disasters, coronavirus and climate change: in an ever changing world, ShelterBox’s work is more important than ever

Sanj Srikanthan - CEO of ShelterBox

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Sanj Srikanthan - CEO of ShelterBox

Sanj Srikanthan has been leading teams in adversity over the last two decades; from peacekeeping operations on the Iran-Iraq border to taking one of the first teams into the first large Ebola response in Liberia, to set up ground operations for aid relief inside Syria. He has spoken to Parliamentary committees, NATO Assemblies, UN, Chatham House, and news channels such as CNN, BBC, and Al-Jazeera about his experiences and how to overcome adversity in different contexts to achieve success. In addition to this, Sanj would be happy to speak to Rotarians on a theme about how the conflicts and disasters of the last two decades have shaped how societies are working together, making the world a smaller community, even as the need for compassion, underpinned by well lead and managed responses has grown. He can also provide a future look at the next ten years and the global goal to reduce poverty. Most importantly he can speak to what Rotary means to the most vulnerable around the world and how individual members and clubs can contribute to our shared values.

ShelterBox works with disaster-hit families. In 2021, the world’s most vulnerable will be facing a perilous triple threat – disasters, coronavirus and climate change. Through innovation, ambition and collective action, we can help save lives and provide homes to families on the front line, and remind ourselves that each of us can make a difference.

An audience with Frank Bruno, in and out of the ring

Frank Bruno - World Champion Boxer

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Frank Bruno - World Champion Boxer

Legendary boxer and much-loved personality, Frank is acknowledged as a rare breed of sportsperson who has managed to rise above the boundaries of his discipline to win a firm place in the nation’s affection. 

Frank was born in Wandsworth, London in 1961, as the youngest of six siblings. He started boxing at age 9 at the local Wandsworth boys club and then focused more seriously on his boxing while at Oak Hall in Sussex. 

As an amateur, he won 20 out of 21 contests boxing for the Sir Philip Game Amateur Boxing Club. In his final season he represented Young England and at age 18 became the youngest ever ABA heavyweight champion. 

Following from his amateur successes, Frank became a professional boxer where he won 40 of his 45 contests. He made history on 2 September 1995 when he defeated Oliver McCall at Wembley to become the first British heavyweight in 98 years to win the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World in the ring. Hundreds of fans came to cheer and wave during his tour through London with the winning Belt on an open-top bus. Frank savors that victory as his greatest moment - and even bought the ring in which it was achieved. 

Frank became a much-loved national figure through his boxing successes and through a variety of public appearances.  In 2006, Bruno published an autobiography Frank: Fighting Back. It won the Best Autobiography category of the British Sports Book Awards. Trevor Macdonald did an hour special with Frank watched by millions on ITV and he has also appeared on Piers Morgan’s ITV Life Stories. His latest book co-written with Nick Owens, Let Me Be Frank, was published in 2017 by Mirror Books. 

Frank has used his public profile to raise better awareness of mental health issues and challenge stigma and discrimination. By sharing his personal experiences, and insight into how staying fit and active helped him overcome difficult times, he has empowered and inspired generations of young people to speak out about mental health.

 In 2014, following discussions with Frank, the then care minister, Norman Lamb, started an agreement called the Crisis Care Concordat, which aims to drive up standards of care for people experiencing crises such as suicidal thoughts or extreme anxiety.

Frank, World Champion Boxer speaks through his experiences and how he has drawn attention to his own metal health. He will tell you how through his charity Foundation, this has helped others.

A year like no other: how volunteering was changed and why we can’t go back

Catherine Johnstone - CEO of Royal Voluntary Service

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Catherine Johnstone - CEO of Royal Voluntary Service

Catherine became Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service in August 2017. A trained nurse, she has extensive experience building sustainable services, driving innovation, and inspiring and enabling volunteers garnered over 25 years in the third sector. Her key passions are frontline service delivery and enabling the gift of voluntary service. 

Before joining Royal Voluntary Service, Catherine was Chief Executive of Samaritans, which provides confidential support to anyone experiencing a tough time in their life. Whilst at the helm for almost 7 years, Catherine was responsible for building long term sustainable partnerships and delivering a long term strategy to revitalise and future proof the charity. This resulted in her being awarded a CBE in 2016 for services to suicide prevention.

Prior to Samaritans, Catherine was Chief Executive of Capacitybuilders, a funding agency designed to improve infrastructure support to the voluntary sector. Currently a Board member of HelpForce, a newly created Community Interest Company that is seeking to support the NHS to embed voluntary service.

Catherine is particularly proud of her five children and two grandchildren who keep her grounded and eternally entertained and busy.

Catherine will share the experience of being on the frontline of the pandemic and share her thoughts about the opportunity to expand our civic society to be more inclusive.

The Future of Volunteering

Matt Hyde - CEO of The Scouts Association

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Matt Hyde - CEO of The Scouts Association

Matt Hyde is Chief Executive of the Scouts, the UK’s largest co-educational youth movement. Formerly, Chief Executive of the National Union of Students (NUS), he has undertaken a number of leadership roles in the charity sector and as Chief Executive of the Scouts has contributed to a period of record membership growth since he joined in 2013.  He has overseen the development and delivery of two major strategic plans, a rebrand, award-winning campaigns, and has spearheaded work to support the growth of Scouting in areas of deprivation.

His volunteer work is equally important.  As a trustee of Step Up To Serve, he has helped change the conversation about youth volunteering, attracting support and investment to grow youth social action. As a local volunteer himself in a Scout Troop, he leads by example while understanding the issues facing grassroots volunteers. Matt is also a Patron of UNLOCK (the charity for people with convictions) and was previously Vice-Chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).  He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Queen Mary University of London in 2012.

Matt Hyde will share how the Scouts adapted during the pandemic and how the movement continues to modernise to attract new volunteers. He will conclude the conference with an optimistic vision of volunteering in the UK - one where the giving of time and acts of kindness are at the heart of our communities.