FREE Annual Conference
for the Voluntary and Community Sector

LAST FEW PLACES REMAINING

To book your place please fill in the online form by clicking here

9am, Tuesday, 24th January 2012.
The Bridge Centre, Birches Head Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 8DD

VAST is hosting a FREE conference for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)
at the Bridge Centre, Stoke-on-Trent. Last year’s event was a huge success with
over 250 attendees and all indications are that this year’s event will be even bigger.

The conference will discuss ways to increase efficiency, understand strategic issues, how to innovate within organisations and will provide an excellent opportunity to forge
contacts within the voluntary and community sector. It will be an ideal opportunity to showcase services offered by the VCS and there will be ample opportunities for networking.

What is available on the day:

• Workshops:
  
  - Workshop 1 - Working with the Big Lottery Fund – An insight into making successful bids to the BIG Lottery Fund. Looking at what makes a good application, how to improve your chance of success and a chance to discuss with Matthew how Lottery priorities relate to Stoke-on-Trent in particular. Facilitator Matthew Poole, West Midlands Regional Manager – Development, Big Lottery Fund
  
  - Workshop 2 - Preparing Successful Funding Bids - Raising funds from a wide range of different sources, and writing successful funding bids. Ideal if you are new to fundraising or for those who may have exhausted current sources and are looking for innovative ways to develop and raise funds. Facilitators Sarah Carrington & Shaista Razaq (SFEDI accredited Business Development Officers)
  
  - Workshop 3 - Income Generation & Social Enterprise – As traditional sources of funding become scarce, this workshop will enable you to explore different ways of working to generate income through trading. Facilitator - Amanda Locke (Social Enterprise Development Officer)
  
  - Workshop 4 - Promotion & Marketing – Develop your skills in promoting your organisation and its work to your target audience. How to develop relations with the local media and gain positive coverage. Facilitators - Alison Kirk, Independent marketing consultant & Chris Mountford from Cross Rhythms Radio
  
  - Workshop 5 - CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility through Staffordshire Community Foundation (SCF) – How to work with SCF to develop relationships with the private sector. Under the theme of “Keep it Local” SCF can support you in getting funds and pro bono support directly from local businesses and individuals - Facilitators Dr Teeranlal Ramgopal (Former Vice Chancellor Staffordshire University) and Steve Adams (Development Officer, SCF)

• Speed Surgeries:
  
  - Strategic Work with the NHS - Charlotte Bennett
  - Strategic Work with the Council - Louise Norgate
  - Accounts & Bookkeeping - Laura Pickin and Sarah Townsend
  - Payroll - Deborah Hefferon
  - Personnel & HR Issues - Helena Pilkington
  - Graphic Design & Marketing - Pete Caine
  - Training & Staff Development - Tracey Chater
  

• Guest speakers including:
  - Peter Coates - Chairman, Stoke City FC
  - Matthew Poole - Big Lottery

• Questions and Answers Session
• Lunch & Refreshments
• Networking
• Lifestyle Heath Check

To book your place please fill in the online form by clicking here