The first in a new series of Making Connections
First topic: Volunteer sharing and resource pooling
This event brings into focus the discussions often held in the moments between talks, during networking sessions, and towards the end of events where different community organisers, volunteers and members explore common issues and interests they'd be interested to collaborate on.
Here we take it forward by starting the conversation in that context.
Agenda
Before the event, participants are asked to compile solutions and ideas on the topic of how to share volunteers and pool resources in a considered, collaborative way. Attention must be given to what attendee organisations feel they could potentially bring to the table.
At the event, these potential solutions are discussed along with the barriers, actions, current examples, overlap, and the likely needs and wants that may arise. We then break for a reflection over food before workshopping next steps, making decisions, trying to align, and where progress is made, booking in initial follow ups.
There are no obligations to take actions forward, but we would encourage those attending to only join if you have the intention of cross-community collaboration.
Order of the day
14:00-14:05 Welcome, housekeeping and setting the scene (expectations)
14:05-14:15 Opening address
14:15-15:30 Focus 1: Discussing barriers, examples, overlap, needs and wants
15:30-16:00 Reflection over food and break
16:00-16:55 Focus 2: Discussing next steps, alignment, decisions and booking in
16:55-17:00 Closing remarks
(17:00-17:45) Optional: Further discussion and networking
Location
3rd floor, EverySpace, Cambridge Central Library, Grand Arcade, Cambridge, CB2 3QD
Food
Light refreshments will be provided.
Future Focus Areas
- Managing capacity and preventing burnout - Saturday 7 Feb 2026 (TBC)
- Collective grant writing - TBA
- Bridging the City-Shire gap - TBA
- Training and support for Community Researchers - TBA
Acknowledgements
Making Connections is a collaboration between all community groups who attend. The event is organised by the Resilience Web in collaboration with Cambridge Zero.
