Date/Time 23 April 2026 - 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Location
Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JX

Join us for the VCSE Big Meet 2026 – Your essential networking event for voluntary sector leaders

Thursday 23rd April 2026 | arrive from 12:45 for a 13:30 start, close at 17:00 | The Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JX

Are you ready to strengthen your organisation’s governance and build lasting connections with peers who truly understand your challenges?

Whether you’re a charity leader supporting your board, working with trustees, a trustee yourself, or simply want to understand governance better and connect with VCSE professionals who get your world – this event is for you.

This year’s theme – ‘Good Governance and Board Relationships’. Working in the voluntary sector means understanding how good governance impacts everything we do. Strong boards mean stronger organisations, and that affects us all. You’ll gain practical insights from three inspiring speakers who’ve been where you are and know what works.

What you’ll take away:

• Three inspiring speakers sharing practical, battle-tested strategies
• Fresh insights on the governance and leadership challenges charities face right now
• Meaningful connects with peers who genuinely ‘get it’
• Tools and approaches you can take back to your organisation immediately
• A delicious evening dinner (all dietary requirements welcome!)

Last year’s Big Meet brought together passionate sector leaders who left energised, better connected, and equipped with actionable ideas. This year promises to be even better.

Our keynote is Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of Directory of Social Change and trusted voice on all things governance – offering up an extremely rare chance to hear her speak in Bradford!

We will also have speakers bringing perspectives on diversity in charity governance, and how to navigate the board relationship; whether it’s your first time as a charity CEO, you’re juggling more than one board, or you’ve been doing it for a while – each one comes with peaks and pits.

Spaces are limited and will sell out fast secure your place today.

*New for 2026* We are giving you the option to purchase and donate tickets to grassroots organisations to ensure they are able to benefit from the event. If you are in a position to do so, we would really encourage it so we can see as many small charities in the room as possible!

Bonus – we will be celebrating 25 years of incorporation for Community Action Bradford & District. We may bring some presents, birthday cake and a few faces from the past!