THE VALUE OF SKILLED VOLUNTEERING TO THE THRID SECTOR: Volunteers are the bedrock of the third sector – it simply wouldn’t function without them. Skilled volunteering, whether from the tech or any other specialist sector can be transformational for charities, but sometimes doesn’t realise its full potential. How can the third sector capitalise on the opportunities that skilled volunteering offers and what is the impact when it works well?

AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE THIRD SECTOR: The technology landscape in the third sector is fragmented and where common systems have been created it has often been difficult to get widespread adoption. There is no ‘one size fits all’ tech platform that can serve all the needs of an entire sector, but there are undoubtedly requirements that are common across significant parts of it. These could be horizontal applications like funding application processes, impact measurement and reporting, or vertical applications supporting organisations working in similar areas, such as asylum seekers and refugees, food distribution, and tackling homelessness.

RHODRI DAVIES, WHY PHILANTHROPY MATTERS: The third sector is always under pressure and constraints, now more than ever - it is heavily dependent on the support of volunteers, funders and philanthropists. Technology has the potential to maximise the impact that can be created from these sources of support but where is the greatest need and the greatest opportunity. Rhodri Davies is a leading thinker and strategist in the field of philanthropy and impact and in this session, he will set the scene for the day by sharing his experience and perspective on these topics.