Our next SRAG Summit is 2 weeks away - and the agenda speaks to the heart of what SRAG is for as we share what works, tackle what’s tough, and learn from each other face-to-face.
If you’ve been to a few Summits, you’ll know they’re more than just events – they’re working sessions, full of honest dialogue, mutual support, and a shared ambition to build real social impact. While recruitment is a common thread, the golden thread running through every Summit is social value – and it’s the collective investment of every attendee in creating social impact that gives the event its power. This Summit – hosted by Bedford College Group in their historic Sixth Form Grand Hall on 10 July – is set to raise the bar again.
We know some members won’t be able to join us on the day due to diary clashes - but don’t worry. We’ll be uploading as much of the content as possible to the SRAG member portal after the event, so you can catch up in your own time or share key insights with colleagues.
Being welcomed by Bedford College Group – a SRAG Gold Charter Mark holder – offers a meaningful backdrop for our grounded, practical programme. As a leading educator preparing young people for the world of work, their setting brings real resonance to a Summit focused on bridging the employment readiness gap – whether through frontline recruitment, supply chain engagement, social value strategy, or workforce development.
On the Agenda
We’ll open with “Future-Ready Bedford: Building a Workforce for Tomorrow’s Economy” - a session looking at how education and employment services are adapting to meet future labour market needs, particularly for home-educated learners, care leavers and SEND students. With major regional infrastructure projects underway, the session will explore what local partnership looks like in practice.
You’ll then hear from Marina Cadman (PeoplePlus) on how employers are co-designing workplace mental health approaches that support both individual wellbeing and organisational performance.
Mid-morning brings a peer-led panel with Gold and Ambassador employers, including Sodexo, M Group, G4S, SureServe, Lidl and Amey - a chance to hear how different organisations are progressing across the four SRAG pillars - Recruit, Retain, Develop, and Connecting with Community.
The afternoon includes a lived experience talk from the amazing communicator Dean Riley on navigating employment while living with MS, followed by a hands-on carousel session with practical takeaways from partners and projects including:
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Level II Social Value strategies (Advancing training in social value)
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SRF recruitment support (Scaling up opportunities for socially responsible recruitment)
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Transform & Achieve - a founding SRAG strategic partner on coaching for potential
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DEI in practice - a timely intervention
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Game Academy (Beyond gaming)
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Be Impact (Innovative volunteering)
We’ll also hear updates on social mobility before celebrating recent Charter Mark achievements and closing with reflections from Kenny Boyle, CEO of PeoplePlus.
Whether you’re attending in person or catching up afterwards, we hope this Summit provides fresh thinking, useful contacts, and plenty of practical examples to support your work.
