Volunteers & Skills Exchange

Get expert support for your community sustainability project OR contribute your professional experience to local good causes This free event brings together local community groups, charities, eco projects with skilled professionals, freelancers, and businesses - for a relaxed but purposeful opportunity to connect, share knowledge and form pro bono volunteer partnerships To maximise how many people you’ll get to meet, and how much you can learn/share, the event will be structured around three interactive sessions: Session 1 - Community Project Mastermind Around small tables, select local community projects will share a specific challenge they're working through - for attending professional and fellow community members to offer advice, ideas and knowledge to help them progress their projects. Session 2 -Volunteer Match Making & Skills Round Tables Find, ask questions and get support from local professionals interested in volunteering their skills. Join a choice of themed table topics - relavent to your skills or need - including marketing, project management, budgeting, governance etc. This is an opportunity for community groups to gain direct help and focused advice, while professional can share their expertise and meet people doing great work locally. Follow the event, there will also be the opportunity to formalise conversation, and/or find further opportunities - thanks to the support of Good Folk; a local non-for-profit cooperative who connect local charities with range of creative, technical and business professionals offering pro-bono support. A locally sourced lunch will be provided by Kent Food Hubs, and there will also be opportunity for open networking. Who should attend: • Sustainable and community groups, charities, and projects looking for practical support and fresh thinking • Freelancers and consultants who want to put their skills to good use locally • Small business owners and creative professionals interested in contributing to their community • Corporates and SMEs with volunteer or pro bono days to offer What you'll get from the event: • Practical input and fresh perspectives - whether you're the one sharing the challenge or the expertise • New connections with local professionals, community organisations, and like-minded people • A clearer picture of what's going on in the local sustainability community - and how you can be part of it • A way to continue and build on the connections made, beyond the event itself Date: Tues 22nd September 2026 Time: 11.30am - 2pm Location: The Green Room, The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone, CT20 2XL Cost: Free to attend (but please book your ticket) Lunch: Locally sourced lunch provided This event is bought to you by Sustainable Futures Forum and Good Folk, and is made possible thanks to the support of Folkestone & Hythe District Council By registering for this event, your email address will be added to the Sustainable Futures Forum mailing list. We only ever contact you about upcoming Sustainable Future Forum events, and you can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of these emails.