CVSL Conference 2026: Voluntary Sector Leadership - what next?

The keynote speaker at our conference will be Professor Chris Dayson. His wealth of experience in academic, practice, and policy contexts and involvement with CVSL since its inception will be of great interest to voluntary sector practitioners, academics, and policymakers and we look forward to welcoming him to the conference on the 21st of May 2026.

Chris will discuss the challenges and successes that the voluntary sector has experienced over the last ten years – including subjects such as political austerity, COVID-19, and the cost of living crisis – as well as detailing how academic research has responded to meet the needs of the sector over that time period. With his particular interest in health and wellbeing in local communities, notably in relation to social prescribing, Chris will bring insights from this work to the presentation.

Chris will also look towards the future and the potential role of both the voluntary sector and academia in addressing the threats and opportunities of a challenging world in which both sectors are experiencing rapid change at local, national, and international levels.

Professor Chris Dayson biography

Chris is Professor of Voluntary Action, Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University.

Chris's research focuses on local voluntary and community action and contribution it makes to health and wellbeing. He is a leading international expert on the topic of social prescribing and part of the National Academy for Social Prescribing's International Evidence Collaborative. Within CRESR and AWRC Chris leads a portfolio of research projects for funders including the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). His work is proven to have had an impact on local, national and international policy and practice.

Chris has worked at SHU since 2008 having previously worked as a researcher and policy analyst in the voluntary sector and central government. He has expertise in policy research and evaluation, including understanding the value, outcomes and impact of voluntary action in complex health systems.

The conference will be held at The Open University Walton Hall campus, Milton Keynes in the Hub Theatre. The campus map contains car parking and bus stop information. Advice for travelling by different modes of transport is available below.

By train

The campus is 4 miles from Milton Keynes Central railway station. Taxis and buses are available outside the station, The Open University is around ten minutes’ drive from the station. View The Open University’s advice for travelling by rail.

By taxi

Please ask to be dropped at the Walton Hall Building. The University’s preferred taxi supplier is Skyline Taxis +44 (0)1908 222111

By road

If using a Sat Nav please enter the postcode MK7 6AA. The nearest parking for the Hub Theatre is the Church Parking area and walkways to the theatre will be clearly signposted. Parking is free and open to visitors.

By bus

There are several bus routes serving the Walton Hall campus, more information on bus timetables is available on The Open University’s travel advice page.