Kingston VCSE Forum on 9 June 2026 from 10 am to 12.30 pm

Note: change of venue to Kingston United Reformed Church, Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1HZ

Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to hear from Dan Hopewell, the Director of Knowledge and Innovation at the celebrated Bromley by Bow Centre in East London. As the NHS moves to Neighbourhood Health and Care, it has never been more important to explore further the potential benefits of this model and to reflect on how we might make this approach more of a reality in Kingston.

We will also hear from Sophia Mobbs, Head of the Skilled Volunteering Programme at Link UP London, who offer specialist volunteers to help small and medium-sized charities in London to develop their activities; and from Rachael Stokes, CEO of Kingston Carers’ Network , who will tell us about how Link Up support worked for them.

Agenda:

Neighbourhood Health Centres are the future, but some have been around for a very long time. What can we learn from them?

Dan Hopewell, Director of Knowledge and Innovation, Bromley by Bow Centre

Dan will tell us more about the ground-breaking Centre, which opened in 1984 and has gone from strength to strength, championing the idea of neighbourhood health for over forty years.

Inspired by the conviction that health is driven primarily by social factors rather than medical ones, the Centre unites specialist services, GPs and nurses with artists, therapists, welfare advice, adult learning, employability, community gardening and more, creating powerful programmes that change people’s lives.

Even if you have heard about the famous Centre, this is an unmissable opportunity to welcome Dan to Kingston and be inspired by his 20+ years of work there.

Bromley by Bow has created a model for healthy, vibrant communities and they share their blueprint nationwide to help others emulate their approach. On the day, Dan will help us build a vision of what this might look like in Kingston.

What might your organisation need to meet the challenges facing us all?

Sophia Mobbs, Head of Skilled Volunteering Programme, Link UP London

Sophia will describe how Link UP London supports small and medium-sized London-based charities, social enterprises and community groups, who often lack specialist professional skills to help them develop, grow and create a larger impact in their local communities.

Link UP London connects professionals willing to share their skills and expertise on short-term, structured, volunteer engagements with flexible time commitments.

Rachael Stokes, CEO of Kingston Carers Network

Rachael will talk about KCN’s experience of using a Link UP London volunteer to support their recent organisational rebranding exercise.

Agenda to be confirmed nearer the date.

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