Recently, we gathered for the CANN National Knowledge Exchange, a milestone event marking ten years of impact for the Children with Additional Needs Network. Hosted by Irwin Mitchell, the morning was an inspiring celebration of a voluntary network that has spent a decade bridging the gaps in a fragmented system.
For charity and third-sector leaders, the conference served as both a celebration and a survival guide. As Lucy Owen, Chief Executive of SNAPS Yorkshire CIO, noted, the message that resonated most was the “vital importance of peer support”. In a sector where resources have fallen while demand rises, carving out time to connect, share information, and lift one another up is not a luxury—it is essential.
A Decade of Impact: Honouring Our Roots
It was a privilege to have Karen Hoe OBE as our keynote speaker. Karen’s involvement is particularly significant as she was one of the individuals who helped start the network as Leeds CANN ten years ago.
In her keynote on leadership and innovation, Karen provided a powerful reflection on the changing landscape of the third sector from 2015 to 2025. She highlighted that while pressures are increasing and systems can feel fragmented, the solution remains what it was at the network’s founding: connection, partnership, and collaboration. Karen’s insights reminded us that when services connect effectively, families don’t fall through the gaps.
Key Takeaways for Third Sector Professionals
The morning featured expert speakers who provided practical, “Monday-ready” tools for leaders navigating the current landscape.
1. Prioritisation: Move from “Busy” to “Deliberate”
Michael Guy (Kingsbury Consulting) challenged the room to rethink how we make strategic choices. His core message was simple: “If everything is important, nothing is important”.
- The Framework: Michael introduced a structure to help leaders decide what matters most, moving away from instinct and urgency toward honest decision-making.
- Next Step: You can contact Michael here to explore how to implement these strategies.
2. Resilience: The “Zebra Approach”
Sophie Lowe (Irwin Mitchell) introduced a unique perspective on managing stress: “Be more zebra”.
- Stay Present: Unlike humans, zebras only stress in real danger and return to calm quickly.
- Practical Tip: Use box breathing or grounding techniques to complete the stress cycle and avoid burnout.
3. Innovation: AI for “More Mission, Less Admin”
Mark Armstrong (inTEC Group) demonstrated how AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot can save hours of administrative time.
- Efficiency: AI allows leaders to focus back on frontline delivery rather than complex admin.
- Next Step: Mark is offering a free 30-minute AI readiness chat to see if a pilot makes sense for your organisation.
4. The Power of Peer Support
Vic Hancock Fell (The Small Charity Leaders’ Club) reminded us that peer support reduces isolation. We need to continue finding “people who get you” to crowdsource solutions and solve problems collaboratively. Vic’s session reinforced that we are stronger together.
A New Step for CANN
This conference marks a new step for the CANN network. We are committed to supporting charities through better communication, shared expertise, and stronger advocacy for families.
Missed the live session?
We want to thank all our speakers and everyone who attended. Let’s continue to come together to support one another as we press on with this vital work.
You can watch the full recording of the National Knowledge Exchange on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/bMrZBPjCFq0