You'll hear from two guest speakers and have the opportunity to network with fellow business leaders and professionals who are committed to making a positive impact across Cambridgeshire.
Whether you’re leading your organisation’s ESG strategy, managing corporate community programmes, or just getting started, this is your opportunity to join a conversation that will support and inspire your responsible business journey.
A light lunch will be provided.
Please note, this event is exclusively for business professionals.
Organised by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
The Foundation helps businesses support local communities effectively. With expertise on local needs, a deep understanding of the charity sector, and 22 years of experience in managing grant-making funds for local businesses, the Foundation can help you make the biggest possible impact through your charitable giving.
You'll get the chance to meet the team and network with other supporters of the Foundation.
Talks
Community wealth building: why keeping wealth within local communities matters
Businesses play a vital role in shaping the places where people live and work. But what if the money we spend, the people we employ, and the relationships we build could do even more to strengthen our local communities and economy?
In this thought-provoking talk, Andrew Brady will explore the principles of Community Wealth Building and how organisations of all sizes can contribute to creating thriving, resilient communities.
About Andrew Brady
Andrew has worked in charity and social enterprise development for over 25 years, in a variety of settings, predominantly at Anglia Ruskin University, where he headed up third sector leadership courses - mostly in Essex and Cambridgeshire - for over 20 years. He has also worked internationally in Ukraine and Georgia, and with Cambridge Judge Business School. In 2005, he helped to set up the regional network, Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE), where he has also been a director and chair for several years, and he now works on a consultancy basis for SEEE and other clients.
How Abbey People is making a difference in one of the most deprived wards in Cambridge
We'll also hear from Nicky Shepard, CEO of Abbey People, who will share their story of community-led action in Abbey and how the Foundation’s grants have helped.
We're delighted to be hosting this event at East Barnwell Community Centre, the heart of Abbey People's work and a hub for community activity in Abbey. As one of Cambridge's most deprived wards, Abbey provides a powerful real-world example of why community wealth building matters.
About Abbey People
Abbey People is a community-led charity based in the Abbey Ward of Cambridge. Since 2013, they have been working alongside residents to build a stronger, more connected community. They run projects that support health and wellbeing, help families and young people thrive, create access to good food and training, and bring people together through a range of events. They're focused on helping people move from just getting by to genuinely thriving, personally, socially and economically. Guided by local voices and partnerships, they believe lasting change happens when communities lead the way.
About Nicky Shepard
Nicky Shepard is passionate about empowering people to thrive and develop their communities into vibrant, healthy places. Nicky is CEO of Abbey People, a place-based community charity in the eastern area of Cambridge, working to develop capacity and community cohesion in an area suffering from multiple deprivations. Nicky uses her experience of founding companies, working as a strategic consultant, in community development, as a political candidate, and communications consultant to work to make the world a better place for people to live in.
