There’s no doubt that this is a challenging time for the VCFSE sector.
Across Suffolk, organisations are facing increasing demand, financial uncertainty, and ongoing pressure on both resources and people. Our recent State of the Sector findings reflect what many of you are already experiencing day to day—this is a complex and evolving environment, and one that requires constant balancing of priorities.
It’s important to recognise that, in the face of these challenges, the sector continues to do an incredible job. Organisations are adapting, making difficult decisions, and continuing to provide vital support to communities. Many of the constraints being navigated are outside of our control, and it is not always easy to lift our heads from immediate pressures to think about what comes next.
However, we are also increasingly hearing a desire from within the sector to explore what the future might look like, and to consider how we can create space—even in difficult circumstances—to think differently, test new ideas, collaborate, and approach challenges in new ways.
At Community Action Suffolk, we support both the immediate needs of the sector and those longer-term conversations. Our annual conference is designed to provide an opportunity to step back, reflect, and engage with new perspectives in a supportive and constructive environment.
This year, we are pleased to welcome Alex Barker who leads Be More Pirate, a global movement that supports people and organisations to challenge the status quo and be bolder and braver in their thinking. She works across the public and private sector, from the NHS to Netflix, on innovation, culture change and leadership.
Alex also hosts the Be More Pirate podcast and is co-author of How to: Be More Pirate, a book capturing stories of mutiny from across the Be More Pirate network. She is an experienced coach, public speaker, and facilitator. Her signature training programme, Pass the Mic, teaches women how to find and own their voice.
Alex brings experience in supporting organisations to think differently about purpose, leadership, and how change can be approached in practical and achievable ways.
The session will focus on creating space to reflect on established ways of working—not because they are wrong, but because the context we operate in continues to change. It is about building confidence to explore new approaches, consider fresh perspectives, and identify what might be possible within the realities of today’s operating environment.
Above all, the conference is about bringing people together to think differently and consider how throwing the existing ‘rule book’ out of the window could open up new possibilities. It is an opportunity to share experiences, connect with others facing similar challenges, and take away practical ideas that feel relevant and achievable in your own context.
We know how much pressure the sector is under, and this event is intended to offer a positive and supportive space—one that recognises those challenges while opening the door to new ways of thinking.
We would very much welcome you to join us. Further details and booking information can be found here: CAS Annual Conference: Being More Pirate: Thinking Differently in Challenging Times!
