Wednesday 24th June marked the 4th annual Dorset Charities Conference; an event which emphasised the importance of businesses and charities working together.
Businesses and charities from across Dorset and beyond have visited the fourth annual Dorset Charities Conference at the Allendale Community Centre, Wimborne. Hosted by leading Dorset Chartered Accountancy and Financial Services business, Ward Goodman, the event gave local charities the perfect platform to engage with leading sector suppliers – with over 150 representatives in attendance.
The event was opened by Ward Goodman’s Managing Director, Ian Rodd, and featured leading sector-experts who provided a series of informative presentations throughout the day. Speakers included: Nicola Youern of charity ‘You’, Claire Bessant of ‘International Cat Care’, Richard Macey of ‘M&G Investments’; Rick Smith of ‘Age Concern’ and Gillian Jeffery of ‘Cascade Training’.
As part of the conference’s rich programme, the event also hosted a panel of authorities who addressed issues concerning small businesses and their collaboration with charities. The panel included, Vicky Gerrell – the owner and founder of ‘Cream & Co’, Lee Dredge – Managing Director of ‘ITSB’, Nicola Lowe – Managing Partner of ‘HG Walker’ and Jackie Phillipson, Managing Director of ‘P-PR Media Solutions’.
The event also included a charity draw, where the name of one charity in attendance was chosen at random. New charity start-up, City Catering,were announced as the lucky winners, winning a donation of £150 from the proceeds of the event. Finally, the conference was concluded with a networking drinks reception to give all in attendance the chance to create future business opportunities.
Sally Goodenough, of Lewis Manning a local Dorset charity who attended the event has said:
“The Dorset Charities Conference is an invaluable occasion in helping charities and small businesses connect. Along with the incredible programme of expert speakers and presentations which Ward Goodman have put together, the event is a key networking opportunity. I have attended the past four conferences and it has become an event which should be in the calendar of all local charities and small businesses.”
Ian Rodd, Managing Director at Ward Goodman, commented on the event:
“Ward Goodman host this event each year as an opportunity to facilitate charities working together and equally to form lasting partnerships by supporting their work. I am personally delighted with how well attended the event was, with record numbers in attendance. A big thanks also goes to our fantastic speakers who were all well received.
Following the previous years’ events at The Lighthouse in Poole, Bryanston School, and the RNLI College, it is clear that the Dorset Charities Conference is gaining more traction, year on year. We look forward to building even further on this momentum come 2016.”
The fourth annual Dorset Charities Conference was proudly sponsored by M&G Investments, Alan and Thomas Insurance Group, Poole and Bournemouth CVS and WSX Enterprise. To find out more information, visit www.wardgoodman.co.uk/index.php/dorset-charity-conference.
