National Multiple Disadvantage Summit 2027: Call for workshop submissions
For the 2027 National Multiple Disadvantage Summit we’re exploring the tricky feat of balance. Local areas are being pulled in so many directions, with local priorities, national initiatives and increasing demands. How do we reconcile the need for a compelling vision for the future alongside the challenge of meeting immediate need? How do we think long-term when funding cycles are short and uncertain? How do we invest the time needed for meaningful coproduction, when we are forced to work at such pace? And, most importantly, how do we balance all of these things at once?
This year, we want to invite members of the MEAM Approach network to showcase how they have met some of these challenges within their local context. We are therefore seeking Expressions of Interest from network members, for the chance to host a workshop at the 2027 Summit. We know that there’s lots of amazing work happening across our network, demonstrating skilful ways of navigating competing priorities, and we’re keen to see this learning shared.
Workshops should last for no longer than 50 minutes from beginning to end, which allows for movement between sessions within the venue for participants. Below we have some suggestions of topics, but we are open to any ideas that fit the theme!
Funding – balancing the development of long-term approaches from short-term funding pots.
Local and national policy and priorities – where these may be in competition for resource or unintentionally working against each other.
- Resourcing – meeting immediate need vs long-term planning for multiple disadvantage.
- Coproduction – balancing the priorities of people with lived experience with the perceived priorities of the system.
- Data – balancing the need for good quality data and data collection against the realities of doing the work at an operational level.
- Governance and oversight – supporting the focus on multiple disadvantage when senior leaders are pulled in many directions.
- Working with elected members – balancing systems change work with the varying priorities of local councillors.
Please make sure that submissions are sent to us using this form before the end of the day, 5 January 2027.
If you have any questions or issues with using this form or would like to discuss an idea before submitting it to us, please email anna.suswilo@meam.org.uk or richard.lewis@meam.org.uk. If you think your local area has some good examples of finding balance, we would love to hear from you!