Southampton networking event unites charities, businesses, and community leaders to build a better future
Utilita’s networking event brought together local charities, businesses, and community organisations in Chandler’s Ford to foster collaboration and spark ideas for improving outcomes across the city of Southampton.
Hosted at Utilita’s Hutwood Court HQ, the event welcomed a diverse group of attendees committed to strengthening community ties and exploring innovative partnerships.
The goal of the event was to bring charities together with representatives from Utilita, Westminster, and Southampton City Council, to share best practice and discuss how we can collaborate better across business, charity, and government.
The morning featured a panel discussion led by Southampton Test MP, Satvir Kaur, who was joined by Utilita’s Chief Marketing Officer and Utilita Giving Trustee, Jem Maidment, Councillor Sarah Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at Southampton City Council, Sam Fulling, Managing Director at Saints Foundation, and Helen O’Brien, Head of Fundraising at Mountbatten Group.
The panel explored themes of youth empowerment, social impact, and the role of cross-sector collaboration in driving meaningful change. Attendees left with new connections, fresh ideas, and a shared commitment to community progress.
Satvir Kaur MP said: “It was a pleasure to chair such an uplifting event that showcased the very best of Southampton’s charity sector. Partnership working is at the heart of any successful city, and we are fortunate to have such brilliant organisations doing incredible work and, together, going above and beyond to support those most in need in our community. I’m keen to keep strengthening these partnerships, ensuring their voices are heard in Westminster, while continuing to do everything we can to support their work in enriching and changing lives locally. Huge thanks to Utilita for organising, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.”
“This event was about more than just networking,” said Utilita’s Jem Maidment. “It was about building bridges between sectors that share a common goal: making Southampton a better place for everyone. We were delighted to see such strong engagement and enthusiasm for working together.”
Cllr Sarah Bogle commented: “I really enjoyed the Power in Partnerships charity event at Utilita and was reminded of the enormous strength and depth of our voluntary and charitable sector in Southampton and the wider region, and how important it is to work together to address the challenges we face as a city. I took away a number of learnings and actions from the very engaged audience!”
Helen O’Brien, Head of Fundraising at Mountbatten Group, said: “It was a pleasure to join the panel at this great event to hear about the amazing partnerships delivering impact in our community, harnessing the creativity and agility of businesses to deliver change where and when it’s most needed.
“Thank you to Satvir Kaur MP, Southampton City Council, Utilita and our amazing corporate partners for sharing Mountbatten’s commitment to improving lives in Southampton and south Hampshire. Thanks to our supporters and partners, Mountbatten is able to care for around 1,800 people every day, through our palliative and end of life care for people we care for and their loved ones.”
As a follow up, Utilita Energy will be hosting a ‘Speed Networking’ event for local businesses and small charities, so that they’re able to pitch for support face to face – an idea suggested by Communicare in Southampton, a friendly, local charity that enriches the quality of life of lonely and isolated people in the city. Anyone interested in attending the event, should contact partnerships@utilita.co.uk.
Jem Maidment concluded: “At Utilita, we’ve seen first-hand how collaboration can drive meaningful change. Whether it’s working with sports organisations to improve energy efficiency in communities or developing renewable energy solutions for major venues, our partnerships are about cutting across silos and leveraging the strengths of different organisations to achieve a common goal.”
