Mark your calendars! Junction Point CIC is thrilled to announce that the North East Social Enterprise Day celebrations are returning for 2026. This year marks a major milestone: our fifth consecutive year hosting the region’s premier gathering for social entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. To commemorate this five-year anniversary, we have partnered with Newcastle University to bring the event to their state-of-the-art Business School in central Newcastle on Thursday 19th November 2026 (9:30am – 3:30pm).
With 100 social entrepreneurs, regional leaders, funders, and sector supporters expected to gather, this day has become an essential regional space to connect, recharge, and collaborate.
The 2026 Core Theme: Change in Action
In a world shaped by economic uncertainty, increasing inequality, and complex global challenges, it is incredibly easy for purpose-led leaders and grassroots organisations to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the issues we face. It can be tempting to question whether our individual efforts are truly making a difference.
That is why our core theme for Social Enterprise Day 2026 is Change in Action: What’s in our gift -and how we use it to create change.
We are curating an agenda packed with structured networking, an interactive marketplace, and deep-dive learning opportunities. To make this day a success, we are opening our Call for Speakers and Call for Sponsors!
📢 A Call for Speakers: Share Your Insights
In alignment with our values, we believe in professionalising sector advice and celebrating regional expertise, which is why all of our speakers and panellists are fully compensated for their time. We are actively seeking regional social entrepreneurs, sector experts, community leaders, and researchers who can bring our core themes to life across four distinct sessions:
- The Opening Keynote Speaker (Theme 1: Our Role in Change: Why Social Enterprise Matters)
- Fee: £200 (inclusive of VAT), Please apply before 5pm on Friday 31st July
- Brief and application form here: 👉 Key Note Speaker – Fill in form
- Interactive Workshop Facilitator (Theme 2: Change Within a System: How Do We Achieve the Greatest Impact?)
- Fee: £200 (inclusive of VAT), Please apply before 5pm on Friday 31st July
- Brief and application form here: 👉 Workshop Facilitator – Fill in form
- Panel Discussion Members (Theme 3: Building Sustainable Change: How Do We Make Impact That Lasts?)
- Fee: £50 per panel member (inclusive of VAT), Please apply before 5pm on Friday 31st July
- Brief and application form here: 👉 Panel Discussion – Fill in form
- The Closing Speaker (Theme 4: Leading Change: What’s in Our Gift?)
- Fee: £200 (inclusive of VAT), Please apply before 5pm on Friday 31st July
- Brief and application form here: 👉 Closing Speaker – Fill in form
📅 Speaker Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by Friday 31st July. All applicants will be contacted with an outcome by Friday 4th September.
A Call for Sponsors: Partner with Us for Regional Impact
As a non-profit initiative, every pound invested by our corporate sponsors goes directly toward meeting venue costs, compensating our regional speakers fairly, and funding our free-ticket matching option, which removes financial barriers for grassroots changemakers.
We have two sponsorship offers available available:
- Headline Sponsor Package – Benefits include an exclusive main stage keynote speaking opportunity at the start of the day and premium exhibition space in our highest-footfall marketplace hub plus lots more!
- Community & Growth Sponsor Package – Perfect for small and mid-sized local businesses and B2B providers looking to showcase their values and connect directly with 100+ North East decision-makers.
Ready to partner with us? To secure your package, discuss custom branding opportunities, or request a copy of the full 2026 sponsorship brochure, please get in touch directly with Alice at alice@junctionpoint.co.uk (or contact the wider team at hello@junctionpoint.co.uk).
Let’s put Change in Action, together. We can’t wait to see you in November!
Book your tickets here: Social Enterprise Day 2026: Change in Action – Junction Point
