SO:Governance

SO:Governance was a six-month capacity-building programme supporting Southampton’s charities and social enterprises to strengthen their governance, leadership and organisational resilience.

Running from November 2024 to May 2025, the programme brought people together through a series of workshops and peer-learning sessions exploring practical areas including trustee roles and responsibilities, effective decision-making, financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

Alongside developing knowledge and skills, SO:Governance created a space for organisations to share challenges, learn from one another and build supportive networks across the city. 96 people took part, learning from 10 expert speakers and gaining practical tools and insights they could take back into their organisations.

By the end of the programme, participants reported greater confidence in their governance practices and a stronger understanding of how good governance could help their organisations respond to future challenges and opportunities.

SO:Governance formed part of Southampton Forward’s wider work to strengthen and support the city’s cultural and community sector, investing in the people and organisations that help make Southampton’s cultural life possible.