Engage 2025: Navigating a Complex Policy Landscape - Online conference on Thursday 16 October

Join us for our fifth year of Engage – DSC’s annual online conference for all those wishing to influence the people in power.

This year’s conference is taking place as charities continue to navigate challenges, including rising financial pressures, constantly evolving government relationships, regulatory changes, the need to drive forward diversity, inclusion and good governance and adapting to technological and digital changes.

This conference will equip you with what you need to navigate and understand some of the challenges charities are facing, and give you tools to effect change and continue to campaign and influence for your charity and the beneficiaries you serve.

Charities are being called upon to play a role in service delivery and policy but must balance these opportunities with the need to maintain independence, sustainability, and public trust. Done right, influencing policy and politicians can be a highly effective way to bring about change for your beneficiaries and achieve lasting impact. But navigating the constantly changing policy sphere and determining the most efficient campaigning strategy and channels for your cause isn’t an easy undertaking.

Join sector experts and charity leaders for a day of discussion about the current landscape and its implications for those seeking to engage policymakers and politicians, an update on the current government and a look at what’s to come.

The day will include a mix of case studies, panel discussions and keynote sessions and help you stay up to date on changes, trends and best-practice in the ever-changing world of influencing policy and politicians.

Who should attend?

• Anyone in the charity sector seeking to influence policy and politicians
• Those looking to influence central government, parliament, select committees, local government institutions or any other key players in the policy sphere
• Policy, advocacy and campaigning experts in the voluntary sector
• Charity leaders, trustees and board members directly involved in or overseeing advocacy and influencing efforts by their organisations

What’s included in the price?

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote session, session talks
• Access to all presentations and handouts
• Digital Book (Downloadable pdf) – Speed Read: Media Relations
• Digital Book (Downloadable pdf) – Social Media for voluntary organisations

Agenda

09.30 – 09.35:  Welcome – Join us for introductions and housekeeping rules.

Conference Chair: Annette Lewis, Director of Training and Services, DSC.

09.35 – 10.00: What on earth is going on with UK politics?

Speaker: Jay Kennedy, Director of Policy and Research, DSC.

10.00 – 11.00: Panel discussion – Understanding the Civil Society Covenant, and its purpose for charities and the sector
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the Civil Society Covenant. This long-awaited agreement between the UK government and civil society organisations has been in development for a year, including a consultation process with civil society organisations and different levels of government last Autumn. In this session our panellists will explore what the covenant is, its purpose, its use for charities, its use for your beneficiaries and its use for the sector. Panellists will also explore possible future opportunities and disappointments.

Speakers: Roberta Fusco, Head of Influencing, ACEVO; Anna Fowlie, CEO, SCVO; Caroline Slocock, Director, Civil Exchange; Julian Blake, Partner – Stone King.

11.00 – 11.15: Break

11:15 – 12:00: Building and using networks to influence
How do you build a network, and how does this help the policy work of your charity? This session will share the key steps of building and developing effective networks, and examples of how your networks can empower and harness change in the charity sector.

Speaker: Vicky McGuire, Strategic PR and Communications Consultant

12.00 – 12:45: Case Study session: Devolution in practice: Are the government’s reforms localism?
In this session we will hear from three charities who will share a case study on their experience of working with local government and communities.

Speakers: Andy Payne Worpole, Director of Policy and Programmes, Essex Community Foundation; Sam Pluckrose-Oliver, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, Locality; Warren Escadale, Chief Executive, VSNW (Voluntary Sector North West).

12.45 – 13.30: Lunch

13.30 – 14.30: Panel discussion – Politics in the age of polarisation
Across so many issues that charities are involved in, political rhetoric is divisive and polarising. How do charities stay true to their core values, contribute to important debates and continue to support and stand up for their beneficiaries.

Speakers: Paul Abernethy, Government Relations and Public Affairs Manager, Bond; Sanjiv Lingayah, Director, Reframing Race; Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship, Quakers in Britain; Mairi MacRae, Director of Communications, Policy & Campaigns, Shelter.

14.30 – 15.15:  Developing good media relations
How does the media really work, and how do you deal with a media crisis? This session will give you practical advice and case study examples.

Speaker: Adrian Mahoney, Public relations professional, Consultant and Writer.

15.15 – 15.30:  Coffee break

15.30 – 16.15:  Closing keynote – Don’t stop, believe!
In an environment where we can feel like we have no power, what practical actions can we take to not give up and keep going? What can we do for ourselves, staff and beneficiaries to keep pushing for positive change.

Speaker: Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO, DSC.

16.15 – 16.30: Closing remarks

16:30: Close

Check out speaker biographies here.

Early bird prices have closed.

Regular price bands from Monday 1 September 2025

• Band A: £169
• Band B: £179
• Band C: £199