Reaching People, the partnership of voluntary and community organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR), will celebrate its 15-year anniversary with a landmark event titled ‘The Power of Us: Transforming our Community’. The event on 10 September 2026 will bring together members, founders, funders, civic leaders and partners to reflect on the consortium’s collective achievements and set out an ambitious vision for the next 15 years.
Since 2011, Leicester-based Reaching People has become one of the region’s strongest and most collaborative VCSE networks, supporting shared learning, local capacity and community-led approaches. Today, its members deliver vital services to thousands of residents, working together to tackle poverty, inequality and the root causes of disadvantage.
To mark this 15-year milestone, Reaching People is hosting a keynote address from Danny Sriskandarajah, one of the most respected voices in global civil society. Danny has held senior leadership roles at Oxfam GB, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the New Economics Foundation, and was a member of the Independent Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society chaired by Dame Julia Unwin. His work has consistently championed community led change, participatory approaches, shifting power to local actors, and network-based solutions, themes that lie at the heart of Reaching People’s mission.
“Danny’s leadership and thinking align powerfully with our belief that collaboration is our greatest strength,” said Sarah Richards, Joint CEO of Reaching People. “As the needs of our communities evolve, we must embrace new forms of civic leadership; networked, community-powered and strengths-based. Danny’s insights will help us shape that future together.”
The event will feature a short film showcasing 15 years of collaborative projects, member stories and community impact and a panel discussion exploring the future of civil society across LLR. Panellists will consider how the sector can work more equitably, respond to rising need, and ensure communities are not just consulted but genuinely leading change.
Core messages for the event emphasise that:
• Collaboration remains the consortium’s greatest asset
• The next 15 years demand bold, community powered leadership
• Members are central to Reaching People’s story and impact
• Asset-based community development (ABCD) and strengths-based practice will continue to guide the partnership
• Civil society is changing and Reaching People intends to lead that change locally
The anniversary is both a celebration and a strategic moment. As funding landscapes shift and community needs grow more complex, Reaching People aims to strengthen its role as a key civil society leader, supporting organisations to achieve more together than they ever could alone.
The anniversary celebration will take place at The Grove Community Hub in Braunstone, Leicester, on Thursday 10 September 2026 from 2-4.30pm. Entry is via ticket only and will initially be open to Reaching People members and key stakeholders. Should capacity allow, tickets will be made available more widely. Please contact admin@reachingpeople.co.uk for further details.
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