The Decisions Charities Can't Keep Putting Off: Wellbeing, Growth and AI
For charities and community organisations, difficult decisions rarely arrive one at a time. A team might be managing increased demand, exploring a new funding opportunity, supporting volunteers and deciding whether new technology could make everyday work easier, all in the same week.
When resources are tight, it is tempting to put strategic questions to one side and concentrate on the next task. Yet decisions about wellbeing, growth and the use of AI can have lasting consequences for the people delivering services and the communities depending on them.
These are among the challenges being explored at The Great British Charity Conference, taking place at Cast, Doncaster, on Tuesday 10 November.
When Everybody Is Already Busy
Mark Smith of MAKE YOUR MARK UK will lead the practical workshop Spinning Plates Without Crashing, focusing on priorities, boundaries and personal wellbeing. The session recognises a familiar problem for people in the third sector: there is often more work to be done than time or capacity available.
Learning when to say 'not yet', protecting time for the important tasks and recognising the effects of constant pressure can help leaders and teams work more sustainably.
Growth Needs the Right Foundations
James Woods, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Doncaster Borough, will examine what sustainable organisational growth actually looks like. Expanding services can mean reaching more people, but it can also increase demands on systems, staffing and leadership.
His session will draw on the organisation's experience of developing services and partnerships while considering the structures needed to support that progress.
AI Does Not Remove Responsibility
Diane Hall, founder of Evolve3 CIC, will approach a different but increasingly relevant challenge: AI governance. Her workshop asks how charities can use AI to support their work without losing control over personal data, confidentiality or the quality of their decisions.
The message is a practical one. AI-generated information still needs to be questioned and checked, and people remain responsible for how technology is used within their organisations.
Time to Think About What Comes Next
The value of bringing these subjects together is that they are connected. Sustainable growth needs people who can cope with the workload. Good governance depends on sound decisions. And new tools should support an organisation's purpose rather than distract from it.
The Great British Charity Conference is an opportunity to hear these perspectives, meet other people facing similar pressures and take useful ideas back to your own organisation. Standard tickets are £30 per person, including lunch and refreshments.
Find out more and book:
Frequently Asked Questions
What practical topics will the conference cover?
Sessions include managing priorities and wellbeing with Mark Smith, sustainable growth with James Woods, and responsible AI use and governance with Diane Hall.
Is the AI governance workshop aimed at technical specialists?
The workshop is aimed at organisations considering how to use AI responsibly, including issues around confidentiality, checking AI-generated information and retaining human accountability.
How much does the conference cost?
Standard tickets cost £30 per person, including lunch and refreshments. The event takes place on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at Cast, Doncaster.
