Events

12.00pm - 1.15pm

Does your local (parish, town or community) council or county association of local councils want to empower residents give something back to their community and get involved in shaping their local place? Join this event to hear insights and ideas to encourage residents to stand for election in your local area. 

We need people from all backgrounds and experiences, who reflect the communities they serve, to put themselves forward for election. This first NALC Make A Change and LGA Be A Councillor event of 2025 aims to share good practice, ideas and what has worked well in the past to enable local councils and county associations of local councils to encourage a diverse range of people to run for office in the May 2026 local council elections.

This unique free event (coinciding with European Local Democracy Week 2025) will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about how local councils and county associations can promote the work and role of local councillors in your communities, ahead of elections in May 2026. 

A panel of experts from the local and principal council sectors will share their insights, experience, and advice. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with representatives from councils which have held local elections in recent years and find out how your local council and county association can help residents to change their place for good.

Speakers: Poonam Mistry, Adviser at the Local Government Association

12.00pm -1.15pm, free

Sponsors: Local Government Association (funded by UK government)

Do you want to give something back to your community? To empower your place in uncertain times? To renew your local area?

This NALC Make A Change and LGA Be A Councillor event is open to anyone who is interested in standing to become a local councillor in the May 2026 local elections. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences, who reflect the communities they serve, to put themselves forward for election. Join us to hear brilliant local councillors at various local government levels share their experience of what makes the role so rewarding.

Whether you live in a parished or un-parished area, this unique free event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the work and role of local councillors in your community and answer your questions about standing for election in May 2026. 

A diverse panel of councillors and sector partners will share their insights, experience, and advice to help you find out how you can change your place for good.

Speakers: Tamsin Hewett, advisor at the Local Government Association

Time: 12.30pm - 2.00pm

Join 50:50 Parliament - a charity that encourages women to progress in politics - for our online workshop where we will give you all the information you need to start your journey to becoming a local Councillor, including information about how to put yourself forward, how selections work, how to campaign and useful resources for new candidates. During break out sessions you will have a chance to speak with an elected councillor and connect with a network of peers. 

Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Join us online for an empowering session where we celebrate and encourage people of colour to step up and make a difference in their communities. Learn about the impact you can have as a councillor and how your unique perspective can shape policies and decisions.

Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm

Time: 12.30pm - 2.00pm

Could you see yourself in local government? Meet sitting councillors from across the political spectrum to learn about their experiences, the importance of youth representation in politics, and how to take the first steps toward becoming a councillor.

Time: 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Are you interested in making a difference in your local community?

Join our Be a Councillor Online Workshop to learn all about what it takes to become a local councillor. This interactive workshop will cover everything from the responsibilities of a councillor, to the skills needed to succeed in local government

Time: 10.00am - 7.30pm

We love speaking directly to you, the women in our community! 

It really helps us to understand how we can best support you on your journey to elected office, what you need and how the work of Elect Her can adapt in response to your needs.

We want to offer the opportunity to women in our community to book in specific 1:1 time with us, to talk, ask questions and catch up with the Elect Her Team. We are putting aside times each month to have a chat and a blether.

We want to give you the personal space and time you need, to ask us anything about your journey to elected office so we can signpost you directly to resources and opportunities that we and our partners have in place. Do you have questions you’d like to ask about how to get started, what support the political parties have in place, questions about funding or just a general catch up about where you are and where you’d like to be? These 1:1 appointments are the perfect place to ask! If we can help we will, and if not we can refer you to other organisations! There is a whole host of support out there and sometimes you just need a nudge to access it.

We are available for 20 minute slots throughout Tuesday 25th March.

If you find all the slots are fully booked, don’t worry - we run these sessions in the last week of every month.

Please only book an appointment if you know you are able to attend. We have limited spaces and often they book out very quickly. If you book an appointment but something else comes up, just email us to let us know so we can offer it to other women in our community.

Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

If you are passionate about your local community, we need you!

Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

Join 50:50 Parliament - a charity that encourages women to progress in politics - for our online workshop where we will give you all the information you need to start your journey to becoming a Councillor, including information about how to put yourself forward, how selections work, how to campaign and useful resources for new candidates. 

Time: 12.30pm - 13.30pm

Are you a campaigner, activist or someone who is passionate about making an impact in your local community? Have you ever thought about putting yourself forward to be a local councillor?

Are you a local council officer or current local councillor who is keen to encourage more people to put themselves forward for election in your local area?

Join us for the launch of the 2025 Be a Councillor national campaign to find out more about our aims and the support that is available for aspiring councillors from our national campaign partners the Disability Policy Centre, Elect Her, 50:50 Parliament, the Migrant Democracy Project, Operation Black Vote and the Politics Project.

This virtual event is funded by Government.

Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

If you are passionate about your local community, we need you!

Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

Operation Black Vote are running an evening event about what it is like to  'Be a Councillor', come join to find out about the role of a local councillor, and how you can put yourself forward to be elected to serve your community. You’ll be joined by current and former councillors - who understand, and have experience of what it is like to stand, win and be in office!

Time: 12.00 - 1.00pm

If you are passionate about your local community, we need you!

Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for election.

The Disability Policy Centre are running, an in person, 'Be a Councillor Event', to find out about the role of a local councillor, and how you can put yourself forward to be elected to serve your community.