A complete guide to training, networking, and funding opportunities for social entrepreneurs, charities, and impact-driven businesses in January and February 2026.
Starting a new year as a social entrepreneur means one thing: it’s time to sharpen your skills, expand your network, and position your organisation for growth. Whether you’re learning how to run a charity more effectively, exploring how to make your business environmentally friendly, or seeking funding to scale your social impact, the first two months of 2026 offer a wealth of opportunities across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and online.
We’ve compiled the essential events, workshops, and resources to help you build a thriving social enterprise, strengthen your charity’s operations, and create genuine environmental and social change in your community.
Why January and February Matter for Social Impact Organisations
The start of the year is when funders announce new programmes, local authorities refresh their support offerings, and fellow impact entrepreneurs are most open to collaboration. It’s the ideal time to:
- Connect with funders before their application deadlines fill up
- Build your knowledge on governance, finance, and sustainability
- Expand your network with other social entrepreneurs tackling similar challenges
- Access free business support designed specifically for impact-driven organisations
Take a look at what’s available – all events are listed in chronological order.
Building Multi-Cultural Practice: Making Services Inclusive
Wednesday 14 January 2026, 10am – 12:30pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free for any voluntary sector organisation in Cambridgeshire
Link to event info
Creating genuine social impact means ensuring your services are truly accessible. This training addresses prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination in the VCSE sector, helping you make services inclusive and welcoming to racially minoritised groups. Led by Support Cambridgeshire.
Perfect for: Charity staff, social enterprise teams, VCSE sector volunteers
How to Build Visibility and Use LinkedIn Effectively in 2026
Thursday 15 January 2026
Location: Allia Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge
Cost: £30+VAT or £20+VAT for Cambridge Network members or Allia FBC Tenants
Link: Cambridge Network LinkedIn Workshop
Social impact doesn’t happen in isolation – you need visibility. This practical session with Dan Ince covers how to leverage LinkedIn’s 40 million UK users for business growth, from profile optimisation to content strategy and engagement tactics. Led by Cambridge Network.
Perfect for: Social enterprise founders, charity communications teams, impact business owners
Fundraisers Network
Thursday 15 January 2026, 1pm – 2pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free for any voluntary sector organisation in Cambridgeshire
Link to event info
Connect with fellow fundraisers, share ideas, and keep up with opportunities across Cambridgeshire’s voluntary sector. Organised by Support Cambridgeshire.
Perfect for: Charity fundraisers, income generation teams, VCSE sector professionals
Business Networking Celebrates Quality of Life Month
Thursday 15 January 2026, 3pm – 5pm
Location: Showcase Cinema de Lux, Peterborough
Cost: Free (includes complimentary hot drink)
Link: Register here
Running a social enterprise or charity often means working long hours for lower pay than the corporate sector. This networking event focuses specifically on work-life balance for business owners, with informal networking, 1-minute pitches, and discussions around quality of life.
Perfect for: Social entrepreneurs, charity staff, purpose-driven business owners
Business Buzz Peterborough
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 10am – 12pm
Location: Venues vary (check Business Buzz app)
Cost: £10 + VAT
Link: Business Buzz Peterborough
A relaxed, drop-in networking opportunity with no structured presentations or commitments. Simply turn up, pay on the day, and meet local business community members who understand the Peterborough landscape.
Perfect for: Peterborough-based organisations seeking local connections
Managing Volunteers Network
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 10am – 11am
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link to book
A forum (by Volunteer Cambs) for volunteer managers to consult peers, share good practices, and receive updates on policies and guidance around volunteering.
Perfect for: Volunteer coordinators, charity volunteer managers, VCSE sector staff
Tips for Successful Grant Applications
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 12pm – 1:30pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link to event info
Securing funding is essential for social impact organisations. This training helps you identify good practice in fundraising and develop skills for successful grant applications, increasing your chances of securing the resources you need. Organised by Support Cambridgeshire.
Perfect for: Fundraisers, charity managers, social entrepreneurs seeking grant funding
Redefining Success: A Strategic Reset for the Year Ahead
Thursday 29 January 2026
Location: Allia Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge
Cost: £30+VAT or £20+VAT for Cambridge Network members or Allia FBC Tenants
Link to book
How do you measure success in 2026? This strategic planning workshop helps entrepreneurs and social enterprise leaders redefine success metrics beyond profit and develop intentional, impact-focused goals for the year ahead.
Perfect for: Social enterprise leaders, charity CEOs, impact-focused business owners
GET Group Network Meeting
Thursday 29 January 2026, 10am – 12pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link: Support Cambridgeshire Events
For not-for-profit adult skills providers in Cambridgeshire. The Guidance, Employment and Training infrastructure group meets to discuss sector challenges and opportunities.
Perfect for: Skills providers, employment charities, training organisations
What’s New for Climate Innovation in 2026? Climate Challenge Launch
Thursday 29 January 2026, 5pm – 7pm
Location: King’s College, Cambridge
Cost: Free
Link: Climate Challenge Launch Event
If you’re asking “how can my business be more environmentally friendly?” or exploring climate tech solutions, this launch event is unmissable. The panel discussion covers the latest in climate innovation and marks the start of the Climate Challenge entrepreneurship programme – ideal for impact entrepreneurs focused on environmental solutions.
Perfect for: Cleantech startups, environmental charities, businesses exploring net-zero strategies
Peterborough Growth Summit
Friday 30 January 2026, 8am – 1pm
Location: ARU Peterborough
Cost: Free (registration required)
Link: Peterborough Growth Summit
The region’s flagship business event features Mayor Paul Bristow, Council Leader Shabina Qayyum, and local MPs exploring Peterborough’s economic transformation and growth opportunities. Essential for any social impact organisation operating in or considering expansion to Peterborough.
Perfect for: Peterborough-based social enterprises, regional economic development professionals, growth-stage impact businesses
February 2026 Events
Allia Impact Start Strong
Starts Monday 2nd February 2026
Location: Allia Future Business Centre – Cambridge Campus
Cost: Free
Sign up here
A free, intensive programme helping you turn your early ideas into legally registered, sustainable social enterprises with expert guidance and support.
Perfect for: ambitious solopreneurs, freelancers and first-time founders in Cambridge, Peterborough and Fenland.
Allia Impact Scale Up
Starts Monday 2nd February 2026
Location: Allia Future Business Centre – Cambridge Campus
Cost: Free
Link: https://bit.ly/scale-cambs
A free 7-week programme offering expert guidance, mentorship and peer support to help you grow sustainably while staying true to your values.
Perfect for: founders of social enterprises and impact businesses which have been trading for 12 – 18 months.
SEEE Coffee & Chat
Tuesday 3 February 2026, 11am
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Link: SEEE Events
Informal monthly drop-in for East of England social enterprise practitioners. Network with peers and discuss current challenges and opportunities.
Perfect for: Social entrepreneurs, charity enterprise managers, impact business owners
SEEE Vision Programme Information Session
Tuesday 3 February 2026, 11am
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link: 3 February session
Second information session about SEEE’s Vision Programme for social enterprises in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Learn about available support including networking, mentoring, and workshops.
Perfect for: Social enterprises in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, charities exploring trading income
Meet the Funder
Tuesday 3 – Thursday 12 February 2026 (sessions on 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 February)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Find out more
This extended online event directly connects charities, community groups, and clubs with grant-making organisations. If you’re wondering how to fund your social impact work, this is your opportunity to meet funders and learn about available opportunities.
Perfect for: Charities seeking grants, community groups, social enterprises exploring funding
Fundraising Now 2026: Diversifying Income
Thursday 5 February 2026 (full day)
Location: Online
Cost: Paid (check website for pricing)
Link: Directory of Social Change
An intensive one-day conference covering grants, trading income, community fundraising, legacies, AI tools for fundraisers, and partnership working. If you’re serious about diversifying your charity’s income streams and future-proofing your fundraising, this is the deep-dive you need.
Perfect for: Professional fundraisers, charity directors, social enterprise income generation teams
How Can You Explain Your Company’s Purpose Clearly and Concisely?
Tuesday 10 February 2026
Location: Online webinar
Cost: 10+VAT or free for Cambridge Network members
Link to book
Social enterprises and impact businesses must articulate their purpose effectively to stakeholders, funders, and customers. This webinar with Stephen Tunnicliffe-Wilson covers how to communicate your mission clearly and concisely.
Perfect for: Social enterprise founders, charity communications teams, impact business leaders
Legal Issues Around Managing Volunteers
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 12pm – 2pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free for any voluntary sector organisation in Cambridgeshire
Link to full info
Volunteers are the lifeblood of many impact organisations, but managing them comes with legal obligations. This training reviews essential legal frameworks, rights, responsibilities, insurance, and safeguarding considerations.
Perfect for: Volunteer managers, charity trustees, VCSE sector managers
3 C’s Communications Network
Thursday 12 February 2026, 12pm – 1pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Full info
For communications staff and volunteers in the VCSE sector, this network meeting offers best practice sharing on messaging, media relations, and digital communications.
Perfect for: Charity communications staff, social enterprise marketing teams, VCSE volunteers
Business Buzz Peterborough
Tuesday 18 February 2026, 10am – 12pm
Location: Venues vary (check Business Buzz app)
Cost: £10 + VAT
Link: Business Buzz Peterborough
Monthly drop-in networking. Relaxed atmosphere for making local business connections without formal presentations or commitments.
Perfect for: Peterborough-based organisations seeking local connections
Finance Essentials for Voluntary Groups and Small Charities
Tuesday 24 February 2026, 10am – 1pm
Location: Byron House, Cambridge Business Park
Cost: Free for any voluntary sector organisation in Cambridgeshire
Link to info
How do you run a charity’s finances effectively? This training covers financial essentials for voluntary groups and small charities with turnover under £25,000, including accounts, budgets, and financial management fundamentals.
Perfect for: Charity trustees, volunteer treasurers, small charity managers
Cambridge Volunteer Blend
Wednesday 25 February 2026, 10:30am – 11am
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link: Support Cambridgeshire Events
Monthly online volunteering coffee mornings highlighting opportunities with local Cambridgeshire charities. A quick, informal way to hear about making a difference through volunteering.
Perfect for: Anyone interested in volunteering, charities recruiting volunteers
Cambridgeshire Digital Partnership Network Meeting
Thursday 26 February 2026, 1pm – 2pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Link to info
Digital inclusion is a social justice issue. This network brings together anyone interested in tackling digital inequality across Cambridgeshire through collaborative discussion.
Perfect for: Digital inclusion organisations, charities serving digitally excluded groups, tech-for-good companies
How to Get the Most from These Events
1. Book early
Many free events fill up quickly, particularly those offering direct funder access or specialist training.
2. Come prepared with questions
Whether attending networking or training, prepare 2-3 specific questions related to your organisation’s current challenges.
3. Follow up
The real value often comes after the event. Connect with people you meet on LinkedIn, email speakers with follow-up questions, and join any relevant mailing lists.
4. Share what you learn
Bring insights back to your team. If you’re a trustee, brief your board. If you’re a founder, share key takeaways with your co-founders or team members.
5. Mix online and in-person
Online events offer convenience and accessibility, but in-person networking often leads to stronger, longer-lasting connections.
Essential Resources for Social Impact Entrepreneurs
Beyond events, here are key organisations to follow for ongoing support:
Allia Impact
Business support programmes for charities, social enterprises and impact businesses. Check out the Allia Digital Growth Accelerator– a free online programme helping purpose-driven businesses use digital innovation to increase their impact. It offers flexible, self-paced learning alongside tailored mentoring, expert guidance and peer support to help organisations grow sustainably. Discover all Allia Impact programmes and resources at allia.org.uk/business-support.
SEEE (Social Enterprise East of England)
The regional body for social enterprise across the East of England. Sign up for their newsletter at seee.co.uk for monthly opportunities.
Support Cambridgeshire
An infrastructure organisation supporting the voluntary and community sector across Cambridgeshire. Their events calendar is the most comprehensive for VCSE sector training. Visit supportcambridgeshire.org.uk
UnLtd
The UK’s leading funder for social entrepreneurs. Their awards portal reopens 6 January 2026. unltd.org.uk
Cambridge Network
Professional networking and training for Cambridge and Peterborough businesses, including many social enterprises. Membership offers significant discounts on events. cambridgenetwork.co.uk
Making 2026 Your Year of Impact
Whether you’re wondering how to make your business environmentally friendly, how to run a charity more effectively, or how to create genuine social impact in your community, these January and February events offer practical pathways forward.
The social impact sector in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is thriving, supported by organisations like SEEE, Allia, Support Cambridgeshire, and countless dedicated funders and practitioners. By engaging with this ecosystem—attending events, asking questions, building relationships, and continuously learning—you position your organisation not just to survive, but to create the lasting change our communities need.
Start your year with intention. Book your first event today.
Looking for flexible workspace that supports social impact organisations? Allia Future Business Centres in Cambridge and Peterborough offer flexible offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms specifically designed for charities, social enterprises, and tech-for-good startups. Visit alliaworkspace.co.uk to learn more.
