Join us for the VAL Annual Conference 2026 - Bringing together voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, partners and funders for a practical, forward-looking day focused on collaboration as statutory services change. Hear the latest system updates, get clear guidance on the Procurement Act 2023, connect with potential partners, and help shape the Leicester & Leicestershire VCSE Impact Report.
What you’ll get from the day:
Key updates from Leicestershire County Councils' Children & Families services and Adult Social Care, and how communities can get involved.·
Commissioning & procurement clarity: what the Procurement Act 2023 means in practice, plus Q&A.·
High-value networking: themed discussion tables, funder talks and professional services stalls.·
Insight & influence: first look at initial findings from the Leicester & Leicestershire Impact Report, with opportunities to feedback.·
Health panel: From Safety Net to System Partner—the VCSE sector’s role in health now and over the next decade.
Booking
Places are prioritised to VCSE groups based in Leicestershire County and those who support county beneficiaries. We have a limited number of tickets available for Leicester City groups who deliver health and wellbeing activities.
The commercial sector and those who fall outside of these areas will be charged £25 and we reserve the right to decline your booking.
Lunch and Refreshments are provided throughout the day for all delegates.
Event Location
The VCSE Annual conference will be held at the
NSPCC National Training Centre
Beaumont Leys, Leicester.
Please note
There is limited parking at the venue, an overflow car park is available at the speadway.
There are also a number of bus routes that go to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, which is a short walk to the venue.
Contact Us
If you have any issues or questions around booking, please contact the team on: anna.b@valonline.org.uk
0116 2575050
AGENDA - VAL VCSE Conference 2026
9.30 Registration
10.00 Welcome: Kevin Allen-Khimani, Chief Executive, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire
10.10 Leicestershire County Council Updates: Jane Moore, Chief Executive, Leicestershire County Council
10:40 Procurement Act 2023: What you need to know: Martyn Trainer
11:15 Morning Break
11.30 Stalls and Networking sessions:
• Providers and services stalls
• Funding talks
• Open Networking
12.30 VCSE Impact Report: Anna Barrow, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire
13.00 Lunch
13.45 Panel Session - From Safety Net to System Partner: What Should the Voluntary Sector’s Role in Health Really Be?
• LLR Integrated Care Board
• Stephen Payne, Vista
• Helen Carter, Loughborough Wellbeing Centre
• Harsha Kotecha, Healthwatch LLR
• Simon Pizzy, UHL NHS Trust
14.45 Closing: Linda Jones, Chair of Trustees, Voluntary Action LeicesterShire