Unlocking impact through innovation

Join us on Thursday 24 October at The Barbican for an incredible event hosted by the University of Essex. Hear from inspirational third sector change-makers in a panel session, take part in a workshop on how data can be used to drive real change.

Find out all about the latest funding opportunities available to your organisation, and listen to a keynote speaker from one of the UK’s leading charities. Interactive networking opportunities and a practical, takeaway toolkit on how to use your data will also be provided.

09.30: Registration and breakfast

09.55: Welcome from Prof Mariachiara di Cesare, Director of Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing

10.00: Interactive Innovation (but not as you know it)

Theme 1: Measuring impact with community:

10.30: Panel session with charity partner Pursuing Independent Paths (PiP)

11.15: Coffee break

11.30: Changing Lives Community Services case study with Chris McManus, University of Essex

12.00: How to win funding to de-risk innovation with Holly Leonard, Innovation Partnerships Manager, University of Essex

12.10: LUNCH

Theme 2: Measuring impact with data:

13.00: Data and AI: Building the foundations, hosted by Natalie Cramp

15.30: Coffee break

15.45: Keynote presentation and Q&A from Jim Sanders, Director of Innovation and Transformation, RNIB

16.20: Closing remarks from Prof Mariachiara di Cesare

16.30: Event ends

Measuring impact with data: An interactive data and AI readiness workshop

Join Natalie Cramp, Partner at JMAN Group and chair of Women’s Health for Women in Data, as she leads you in a hands-on workshop to assess your data and AI readiness and send you off with a toolkit setting you up for the future. Natalie brings over 15 years’ experience in leading private, public and third sector organisations through significant periods of change, enabling them to maximise the potential of data and AI in this rapidly evolving field.

Discover how the RNIB embraced the world of data to deliver impact

Jim Sanders, Director of Innovation and Transformation at RNIB, will share his journey on how the organisation has harnessed their own data and is now one of the leaders in the sector for digital transformation and change. Jim is passionate about how we can create a better world that works for everyone, specifically looking at how designing for exceptions to the norm creates better solutions for all.

Learn how collaboration leads to innovation

Hear from Pursuing Independent Paths on how they’ve recently joined forces with the University of Essex to develop novel ways to communicate with stakeholders and create a first-of-its-kind impact toolkit to demonstrate the societal and financial impact of the services they provide. This panel discussion with the project team will give you the chance to ask questions and offer insights from your own experiences.

We’ll also be joined by Chris McManus from the University of Essex’s School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, who will share his partnership experience with Changing Lives Community Services to evidence the positive impacts of their football programme to secure increased funding from sponsors, commissioners and grant-awarding bodies.

Explore the latest funding options available to charities and third sector organisations

The University of Essex’s Innovation Partnership Manager Holly Leonard will share the latest funding opportunities and how Essex can help you secure support to drive innovation within your organisation.

Host or Publisher University of Essex, Research & Enterprise Office