Social Value Success at County Durham Pound Conference 2026!

More than 125 people from public, private and voluntary organisations across the county came together for the County Durham Pound Conference 2026: Stronger Together: Connected for Impact. The message from the day was clear: social value works best when sectors stop operating in parallel and start working together.

Rooted in the issues that matter most to Durham, the conference gave organisations a chance to share experience, challenge each other and help set the direction for social value over the coming year.

Creating the Conditions for Social Value in County Durham

Phil Pollard, Group Director of the Karbon Foundation and Customer Engagement, opened the day by looking at what it takes for social value to thrive. Drawing on his experience at Karbon Homes and the newly created Karbon Foundation, the social value arm of Karbon Group, he made the case that social value is something every organisation can help create, not just those with a dedicated budget or team. 

Kate Gong, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, the conference’s principal sponsor, challenged large organisations to go beyond grants. Funding matters, but so does experience. Helping voluntary groups plan their next steps or supporting them with grant applications can make a lasting difference, and Willmott Dixon is ready to offer that support. Her challenge to businesses across the county was to do the same.

A panel hosted by Michael Weadock tackled two issues that affect every sector: workplace health and inclusive economic growth. Amanda Healy, Director of Public Health at Durham County Council, Liz Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive of Pioneering Care Partnership, and Jonathan Walls, Assistant Pre-Construction Project Manager at Willmott Dixon, took questions from the audience. The mix of public health, voluntary sector and construction perspectives showed how much can be achieved when different sectors share the same table.

We were also joined by Val Kilner from Aspire Learning, Support and Wellbeing, who, alongside several members of Aspire, shared personal accounts of their journeys and how they were supported by the VCSE sector. Voluntary groups and organisations provide vital support and services in County Durham and across the region, making Val’s speech an inspiring chance to reflect on how we can all do more to meaningfully support them.

The day closed with an interactive workshop led by Kate Burrows, Executive Director of Durham Community Action. Attendees identified practical opportunities for collective action, stronger connections and lasting impact for communities across County Durham.

Get involved

The County Durham Pound Conference 2026 showed that the appetite for collaboration is there. Large organisations are ready to share their expertise, the voluntary sector is generating real impact on the ground, and public bodies are keen to work alongside both. The challenge now is turning that energy into action.

A huge thank you to Willmott Dixon for sponsoring the conference, and to every speaker, panellist and attendee who gave their time and ideas.

Whether you’re a business looking to maximise your social value, a VCSE organisation seeking new partners, or a public sector body wanting to connect with local groups, there’s a place for you in the County Durham Pound community.

If you’re interested in becoming part of County Durham Pound, contact us and help keep this momentum going.