County Durham Pound Conference 2026 – Stronger Together: Connected for Impact
The County Durham Pound Conference is returning for 2026, building on the work of previous years to bring together key organisations, businesses, and individuals from across the county and forge a new and bold direction in local social value creation.
This is a key event in the County Durham Pound calendar that allows attendees the opportunity for extensive cross-sector networking, as well as the opportunity to share local positive case studies and best-practice techniques.
Stronger Together: Connected for Impact
This year’s conference title, ‘Stronger Together: Connected for Impact,’ is a guiding philosophy that County Durham Pound’s is asking our Partners and Supporters will adopt for the year ahead.
For 2026, the conference will focus on the need for a co-operative approach so that maximises social value creation in Durham.
The County Durham Pound understands that no organisation can work alone and meaningfully deliver the real and tangible impacts that we need to see, which is why we have been a primary driver of social value collaboration in the county.
Over the last few years we have brought together local housing providers, charities, businesses and voluntary organisations – at the County Durham Pound Conference 2026 we want to take this collaboration to the next level.
Conference Themes
Three specific themes have also been selected, covering some of the most pressing concerns we are facing in Durham, with expert speakers ready to provide critical insights and dive deep into the problems we face and the solutions we can create.
Health & Wellbeing
Our most recent Local Needs Analysis shows that a larger percentage of people in County Durham smoke when compared to the national average. More people are likely to be obese or overweight in the county when compared to the rest of England and the number of mental health admission of under 18s is also far higher by comparison.
By working cross-sector, we can better support local health initiatives that help drive life expectancy up and lead to longer, better lives for people.
Increasing Employment Support
Can we really say that economic opportunity and meaningful employment is spread equally across County Durham? There is a sizable number of residents who are economically inactive but looking for work, who want to level up their skill sets or go further in education.
By thinking differently, working dynamically, and being more flexible, businesses and organisations can help bring people back into the workforce, reduce local economic deprivation and increase employment support. Through adapted roles, offering more part time employment options and creating more apprenticeships, businesses can be at the forefront of reducing economic inequalities and spreading opportunity in Durham.
Support the VCSE
The voluntary community sector (VCSE) is essential to make sure that the support network for residents is comprehensive and reactive. Voluntary organisations play a vital role in the social value creation process, often existing as the on-the-ground delivery vehicle.
Many VCSE organisations do, however, have essential capacity gaps. By supporting the VCSE more, they can not only survive but thrive and be there for even more communities and residents.
In the coming weeks we will be publishing the full conference agenda, including announcing the event speakers, workshops and panel discussions.
Stay tuned!
