Collaborating in Extraordinary Times

Small Charity Week logo

The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL), one of the academic centres of excellence in the OU Business School, is actively taking part this month in both Volunteers’ Week and Small Charity Week.

Small Charity Week begins on Monday 15 June and runs until Saturday 20 June. CVSL is running an online event which focuses on the challenges associated with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in England, supported by two local charities in Milton Keynes – MK Community Foundation; and Community Action: MK.

As we progress further out of lockdown while maintaining restrictions on our movements and activities, the event looks at what the impact has been on organisations and what the future is likely to hold. CVSL Director Dr Carol Jacklin-Jarvis has taken part in recorded discussions with the Chief Executive of Community Action: MK, Clare Walton, and the CEO of MK Community Foundation, Ian Revell. The work of other academics associated with CVSL is also explored via research-informed online resources to help understand some of the challenges and to prepare for the future.

There is a live ‘lunch and learn’ free session on Thursday 18 June from 12:30 where academics will respond to questions submitted throughout the week via the website.

All the available learning activities for the week, including how to sign-up for this live lunchtime event, is on the CVSL website.

Visiting Research Fellow Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo wrote a blog for the recent Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) which includes links to resources specifically developed to support the voluntary sector.

Upcoming Events

May 21

CVSL Conference 2026: Voluntary Sector Leadership - what next?

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 10:00 to 16:30

The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA

Join us at this year’s annual conference as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of CVSL. Together we’ll reflect on a decade of impact and look ahead to the next ten years, featuring insights and reflections from former CVSL directors.

Sep 2

Caring Feminisms Across Borders Conference

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - 09:00 to Friday, September 4, 2026 - 17:00

University of Donja Gorica, Oktoih 1, Podgorica 81000, Montenegro

This academic conference hopes to draw feminist scholars, activists and communities together to consider what caring feminism across borders might mean now and for the future.

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