📆 Thursday 21 May

📍Pavilions of Harrogate

A new video has been released showcasing the ambition behind Create 26, a future-focused leadership conference for North Yorkshire’s voluntary and community sector.

Organised by Community First Yorkshire with a wide range of sector partners, the conference will bring together people from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to explore ideas, build connections and look ahead to the future.

Taking place at the Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday 21 May, Create 26 will feature keynote speakers, practical workshops and creative sessions designed to help organisations navigate challenges while continuing to support their communities.

In the video, sector leader Max May reflects on why the conference feels particularly timely.

“It’s a really important time for the voluntary sector nationally, but also particularly here in North Yorkshire,” he says.

“If you work or volunteer in our sector, you know it’s a really challenging time.”

However, Max says the conference is intentionally focused on optimism and possibility.

“What I really love about the theme for this year’s leadership conference is creativity – and from that comes optimism and hope,” he explains.

“I think it’s going to be a really exciting, practical day where people can come together, focus on kindness, focus on renewing our ambitions, and really set the stage for the next three to five years.”

Create 26 is designed to bring together people from across the sector – whether they manage organisations, coordinate volunteers, lead projects or support community initiatives in other ways.

Alongside keynote speakers, the programme will include interactive workshops exploring topics such as leadership, finance confidence, volunteering, kindness in organisations and creative approaches to collaboration.

The event aims to celebrate the creativity, resilience and leadership already present across North Yorkshire’s communities while supporting organisations to feel confident about the future.

Early-bird tickets are currently available for a limited number of places.

📅 Thursday 21 May
📍 Pavilions of Harrogate

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