Over 200 charity workers from across the region shared valuable ideas and experiences at the Steve Morgan Foundation’s first ever conference at Carden Park Hotel.

Delegates from charities which have been supported by the Steve Morgan Foundation listened to presentations from a number of organisations followed by a series of workshops covering different areas of the Third Sector and sharing best practice.

Steve Morgan and his fellow trustees were all in attendance at the conference which included guests representing charities from North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire.

“It was great to meet so many of the charities that we support, and for them to be able to enjoy so many benefits from networking and sharing ideas,” said Steve.

“The speakers were fabulous and what really struck me from the whole day was the high level of entrepreneurship which has become such a key part of so many charities.

“I am relieved that these people are all working in the charitable sector because if they were in housebuilding, I would be seriously worried about the competition!

“The energy, work ethic and commitment from all of these charities sets a fantastic example, and they are all to be commended.

“With our staff, trustees and the charities that we support, it makes us feel like one family at the Steve Morgan Foundation, and never have I felt that more than at this event.”

During the day there were presentations and workshops led by representatives from various charities, including Passion for Learning, Kim Inspire, Teardrops Supporting the Homeless, The Port Grocery, Sefton Carers Centre, YKids, Croxteth Family Matters, and SPORTED.

The conference was the brainchild of Steve Morgan Foundation staff Jane Harris, Diane Jones, Gosia McKane and Karen Charles.

“We had been thinking about organising an event of this nature for some time and, having decided to go ahead, the response from the charities was fantastic,” said Jane, Regional Grants Director with the Steve Morgan Foundation.

“There was a real buzz around the room and the opportunity for people to meet each other and share their experiences was one of the main motivations behind staging the event.

“A number of charities who help with foodbanks have already said they are thinking about linking up and working together in future, and seeing those relationships formed between charities that we support is extremely rewarding.

“For our first ever conference of this nature, we are really pleased with how it went, and have picked up plenty of feedback and guidance ahead of potentially putting on another similar event in the future.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation, founded in 2001, provides a huge range of funding to charities and community groups within their four selected regions, and took on an even greater role last year when Steve gifted over £200million to the charity.