A new video from Community First Yorkshire is shining a light on one of the core ideas behind Create 26 — that leadership exists in many forms, and is often found in the everyday actions people take to support their communities.

Taking place on Thursday 21 May at the Pavilions of Harrogate, Create 26 will bring together people from across North Yorkshire’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector for a day of creativity, collaboration and future-focused thinking.

In the video, Jane Colthup, Chief Executive of Community First Yorkshire, reflects on the value of volunteering and the many different ways leadership shows up across communities.

“By being a volunteer, you are showing leadership,” said Jane. “You’re giving up your time, and you are using your leadership skills and your ability to connect and make a difference in your local area. And that’s true leadership.”

Jane said one of the key messages behind Create 26 is that leadership should not be seen as something limited to job titles or formal roles.

“Leaders come in lots of different guises,” she said. “Some of the best leaders are the quiet leaders who get what they want by going at it from a different perspective. So for me, everybody’s a leader.”

That broad understanding of leadership is central to the conference, which has been designed to welcome people from every part of the sector — whether they lead organisations, coordinate volunteers, run projects, support communities or help make things happen behind the scenes.

Through keynote speakers, workshops, discussions and creative sessions, Create 26 will explore how people across the sector can build confidence, strengthen connections and shape the future together.

The event will celebrate the creativity, resilience and commitment already thriving across North Yorkshire, while creating space for people to reflect, share ideas and look ahead with purpose.

📅 Thursday 21 May

📍 Pavilions of Harrogate

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