Capturing the coronavirus community spirit

Events Resources Videos WebinarEvent Date: Jun 17th, 2020 Time: 15:00

The Coronavirus outbreak has triggered unprecedented community activity and volunteering. Is this a one-off response to the crisis, or can this unprecedented concern for our fellow citizens be harnessed for the future?

This panel discussion with Julia Unwin DBE, Louise Blackwell and Helen Cunningham explores the extraordinary numbers of people willing to help their community during the pandemic, and what needs to be done to retain and build on community activity.

Some of the key topics covered include:

the reasons behind the apparent surge in community activity;
the role and contributions made by volunteers during the pandemic;
how the’social good’ created by volunteers and community groups can be harnessed.

The Presenters:

Victoria Winckler - host

Dr Victoria Winckler has been the Director of the Bevan Foundation since 2002, establishing it as Wales’ most exciting and innovative think-tank. Victoria is also currently Wales adviser to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Julia Unwin, DBE

Julia is an acclaimed speaker, writer and thinker. Until Dec. 2019, she was Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Civil Society. She was previously CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and has also held senior roles at the Housing Corporation, Charity Commission and Food Standards Agency.

Louise Blackwell

Louise has been working for ClwydAlyn, a housing association, as Community Development Officer for 10 years. She previously has worked for the Home Office, Cardiff Council and for Flintshire Local Voluntary Council. She has degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and she was born and remains in Wales. Louise is passionate about: the environment, equality, social justice and in celebrating community achievements.

Helen Cunningham

Helen joined the Bevan Foundation in March 2019 after a period at the European Commission in the department for Regional and Urban Policy.

She holds an MSc in European Governance and Public Policy from Cardiff University. Her thesis research explored the dynamic between EU cohesion policy and Welsh economic development policies and interventions in the Gwent Valleys.

Helen is currently looking at economic resilience, exploring practical solutions to address and improve some of the structural issues at play in local economies of the south Wales valleys.

Helen previously held roles in local government and the third sector, working with Public Service Boards and as an adviser at the National Assembly for Wales.

Tagged with: Coronavirus