Wellbeing at Work for Charities 2026 - Online conference on Thursday 16 April

Working in the charity sector is deeply rewarding – we create positive change, strengthen communities and support people who need us most. But we’re also facing some of the toughest conditions yet: increasing demand for services, reduced funding and constant change and challenge. These pressures can take a real toll on staff. 

Looking after ourselves and our staff is key to a productive and supported work environment. 

Join us for a mix of keynote sessions, panel discussions, expert-led sessions and practical workshops where we’ll explore practical strategies and approaches to foster wellbeing at work in the charity sector.  

This is your opportunity to take time out, learn from sector experts, connect with peers and return to your organisation with practical, sustainable ideas to support yourself and others. 

Who should attend? 

This conference is for anyone working in the charity sector. It is especially relevant for HR Managers and Directors, Managers, Trustees and anyone in a Leadership role. 

What’s included in the price? 

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions and session talks 
• Access to all presentations and handouts 

Agenda

09.45 – Welcome – Join us for introductions and housekeeping rules.

Chair: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC.

09.50 – Keynote: Surviving the Squeeze: Wellbeing and Leadership in Tough Times

Charities are entering 2026 facing unprecedented pressure – shrinking budgets, rising community need, staff burnout, and intense frontline demand. In this keynote, a charity leader will explore what these challenges mean for staff wellbeing and what leaders can do to protect their teams in the toughest moments. We’ll look at the future of wellbeing in the sector, from compassionate leadership practices to building resilience into organisational culture.

10.30 – Supporting Those Affected by Racism: Introducing the ‘Charities Against Hate’ Guide

In this focused session, we’ll explore how organisations and individuals can respond when racism impacts their communities, staff or volunteers. You’ll gain a clear understanding of the scale and nature of the challenge in the UK, followed by an introduction to DSC’s free resource, the Charities Against Hate: How to respond to racism guide. 

10.50 – Break

11.10 – Panel Discussion – Beyond Policies: Practical Everyday Wellbeing

Moving past written policies, this session explores practical, low-cost, and accessible tools and strategies anyone can use to improve wellbeing day to day. We will also discuss how to tackle loneliness in hybrid and remote teams.

12.00 – Breakout Sessions. Choice of A or B.

Session A: Under Pressure: What Stress Does to Your Brain and How to Cope with It

A practical session unpacking how stress responses work, and evidence-based ways to reduce their impact. You’ll explore how to spot early signs of overwhelm and interrupt unhelpful stress cycles before they escalate. The session offers small, manageable strategies that build resilience and practical tools you can use immediately in everyday situations.

Session B: Leading Through Strain: Practical Wellbeing Strategies for Managers

Senior leaders and managers face unique pressures – balancing strategy, funding, and staff care often at the cost of their own wellbeing. In this session, we will look at practical, tested strategies to help leaders protect themselves and their teams. Attendees will leave with tools they can immediately apply to strengthen both their leadership and workplace wellbeing culture.

12.45 – Networking 

13.00 – Lunch 

14.00 – Coping with Loss

Loss can take many forms, from the death of a loved one to miscarriage or other profound changes. This supportive, inclusive session is for anyone navigating their own grief or wanting to better understand and support others. We’ll explore how grief affects us and practical ways to cope with the emotional and physical impact. We’ll also look at how to support colleagues experiencing loss and how to create a more compassionate environment.

14.45 – Three Ways to Mindfulness

A light-hearted, inclusive session showing small, doable techniques for grounding.

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC.

15.15 –  Closing remarks

15.25 – Conference ends

Prices

Early bird: deadline until Sunday 1 March 2026 

• Band A: £135 

• Band B: £145 

• Band C: £165 

Regular price bands from Monday 2 March 2026 

• Band A: £145 

• Band B: £155 

• Band C: £175