VCSSCamp 11

It's great to see some familiar faces. Each year it feels more like a community.

October 2025 marked VCSSCamp 11, hosted by Superhighways.

VCSSCamp 11 was an unconference held on Monday 13th October 2025 at The Foundry in South London, enabling development workers from infrastructure organisations across London the opportunity to meet and discuss the topics that impact our work in supporting charities and community organisations in London.

The focus of discussions was on how we can use digital, data and tech for smarter working and service delivery. The ‘unconference’ approach (read more here) enabled the 33 participants to call the topics of interest to them and then to ‘vote with their feet’ and attend the sessions of most use to their work.

The idea is that there would be opportunity to share our collective experience, resources and to find solutions together to common issues.

Unlike a traditional conference, there is no fixed agenda, no-one has selected the speakers before the event, no-one has decided what is an ‘important topic’ to cover, and no-one has been paid to deliver a ‘death by PowerPoint’ keynote speech!

Special thanks to Pauline Roche, one of the original VCSSCamp founders, for inspiring us to continue shaping these spaces for learning and collaboration across the sector.

Agenda setting

clare organising timetable for vcss camp

We experimented with Mentimeter, asking people to discuss in groups what they would like to discuss and then reflect below before adding their answers.

We received a wide range of responses, which have been summarised below.

Topics called by participants

- Practical uses of AI in VCS infrastructure work

- Supporting small organisations to use AI safely and effectively

- Improving sector surveys and dashboard use

- Engaging grassroots and unconstituted groups

- Developing organisation-wide communications strategies

- Coordinating sector-wide reports with shared tools/templates

- Supporting groups with outdated tech (e.g., Windows 11 issues)

- Approaches and tools for analysing qualitative data

- Using audio/video to capture lived experience

- Building a social media presence with limited resources

- Addressing community concerns about data sharing

- Minimising cyber-attack risks and managing reputational damage

- Creating shared training resources and sessions

- Sharing newsletters and learning across London CVSs

Summary of conversations

Throughout the day, participants stepped up to lead sessions and explore complex, often sticky challenges facing the VCSE sector. They shared practical experiences, asked tough questions, and worked through ideas together.

Conversation 1: AI for fundraising, CVS resources, and communications

AI for fundraising

Participants discussed how AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can support funding applications, especially for smaller organisations. While useful for drafting, AI-generated content often lacks specificity and needs to be guided by internal data and clear prompts. Practical advice included using pro versions for better data protection, creating prompt sheets, and offering one-to-one support to help groups engage effectively. Concerns around capacity, digital literacy, and the risk of misinformation were also raised.

CVS resource sharing

This session focused on the potential for London CVSs to collaborate more closely by sharing training, resources, and digital tools. Ideas included creating a central hub, using platforms like London Calling to surface opportunities, and leveraging WhatsApp groups for peer support. The goal: reduce duplication and make it easier for smaller organisations to access what they need.

Communications and Social Media

The final group explored how VCSE organisations can strengthen their digital presence with limited resources. Topics included choosing the right social media platforms, tracking local conversations, and the risks of using AI in communications. There was interest in forming a London-wide VCSE communications group to amplify the sector’s voice and share best practices.

Conversation 2: AI safety, VCSE data, impact and accessibility

AI safety

Participants discussed the risks of using AI tools in VCSE settings, including misinformation, data leaks, and accidental oversharing. Key actions included educating staff and groups on safe use, reviewing access permissions, and setting clear internal policies, especially around AI note-takers and data protection.

Using VCSE sector data

The VCSE dashboard and state of the sector data were seen as valuable but sometimes confusing due to live updates and filter settings. Suggestions included publishing regular data snapshots and improving data literacy. Participants also explored how to use local data to challenge assumptions and engage funders more effectively.

Measuring impact and accessibility

This session focused on making impact reporting and digital spaces more inclusive. Ideas included using AI for social listening, improving website accessibility, and adopting plain English and inclusive media formats. The group emphasised that removing barriers from the start helps reduce exclusion and improves engagement across diverse communities.

Conversation 3: AI for strategy, qualitative data, and data privacy

AI for strategy and planning

Participants explored how small VCSE groups can use AI to support strategic thinking, planning, and fundraising. The focus was on practical tools, current use cases, and how infrastructure bodies can help groups adopt AI effectively.

Qualitative data

This session highlighted how AI can assist with analysing qualitative data. Participants stressed the importance of providing context and guiding AI to reflect organisational tone. Storytelling was seen as a powerful way to communicate impact, especially when statistics are limited.

Data privacy and sector relationships

Discussions centred on helping small organisations navigate data privacy concerns and unrealistic reporting demands. Ideas included standardising outcome measures, improving collaboration with statutory bodies, and empowering groups to challenge inappropriate data requirements.

We’ve scheduled a follow-up session on Tuesday 9th December to continue these conversations. If there’s a topic you’d like to explore further, please book your spot.

What did people find most useful from the day?

I think it's just great to have this space to exchange information and raise issues in the sector. To actually step back and talk about resources, successes and challenges.

As an infrastructure organisation, it's really important to come and touch base and see what conversations everybody is having, and what all your different difficulties and needs are.

This kind of networking is always brilliant, and it's good to put some faces to CVSs that I only know in writing. It's good to get a more human side of that.