Third Sector Leadership Seminar

Fifty delegates from charities and social enterprises across the North West were challenged to assess their entrepreneurial capabilities at a workshop organised by Anglia Ruskin University and the Guardian Social Enterprise Network, on 20 March at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester.

Professor John Thompson from Anglia Ruskin University suggested that entrepreneurial attitudes were a good fit with the challenging business environment being faced by the third sector, an environment where change is 'the new normal'. Other speakers included Andy Brady, course leader for the University's Cert HE in Charity and Social Enterprise Management, and Gail Heath from Manchester Women's Aid, who traced her organisation's response to rising demand and diminishing resources.

Anglia Ruskin University's 3rd Sector Futures team provide support and training for managers in charities and social enterprises, chiefly through a Cert HE course which combines the flexibility of distance learning with face to face workshops, and has modules covering:

Sarah Leach, Trafford Centre for Independent Living, said:

"The event was a fantastic opportunity to network with other third sector professionals, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing us. All the talks were on highly relevant topics, with plenty of time for discussion. I was looking forward to beginning the Cert HE course already, but after attending the event it is clear that this course will be interesting, insightful and beneficial for my career. The tutors were friendly and highly knowledgeable about their subject matter."

Sarah Leach is joining the next Manchester group starting in May.

Jennifer Calverley, North Derbyshire Women's Aid, said:

"The workshop has given me inspiration to think about the direction the organisation I work for needs to go in, change is needed and I feel that the Cert HE course is going to help me to initiate this."