Back in Exeter - reflections on the Tech for Good Exeter Unconference Autumn 2025
On 26 September, Tech4Good South West brought people together in Exeter to explore how technology can drive positive outcomes for people, planet, and places.
At Tech4Good South West we often use a loose unconference format – inspired by open space methods, where you help shape the agenda. Instead of a fixed programme, you bring the questions that matter most, choose the conversations you want to join, and co-create the flow of the day.
What makes this distinctively Tech4Good South West is the way we hold the space. Our events are designed to be human, open and spacious – giving you time to connect, reflect and act. We convene across sectors and bridge ideas, so that people don’t just share what they know but also build trust, spot opportunities for collaboration, and leave with practical next steps.
The day itself was designed to be simple but powerful. We opened with time to welcome people into the space, share the unconference format, and getting to know each other. Around the tables were charities, social enterprises, startups, freelancers, and public sector representatives – each bringing their own perspectives and energy to the discussion topics for the day.
Discussion topics
Digital inclusion & accessibility
The group explored barriers around access (devices, internet, software), skills (confidence, literacy), and perception (fear, assumptions, disillusionment). Training and co-design emerged as critical - creating solutions with communities, not just for them.
Community & social impact
We talked about developing with communities in mind, not designing in isolation. Impact storytelling came up strongly: whose stories are told, and how can we ensure authentic voices are heard? Measurement also matters and data must be both credible for funders and accessible for communities.
Sustainability & environmental impact
What does “sustainable” actually mean? The group discussed contradictions in behaviour, the balance of individual vs corporate responsibility, and the need for trust and open communication. A collective approach, rooted in communities and systems change, was seen as essential.
AI & ethics
AI sparked lively debate and we couldn’t move people away from the table! While it can reduce noise and free up time, concerns about critical thinking, trust, and intellectual property dominated the discussions. The group agreed: AI is not truly intelligent, so human oversight and ethical awareness must always guide its use. This is a huge topic - and warrants perhaps a central theme to one of our future unconference formats!
What stood out across every topic was the importance of collaboration, nuance, and shared ownership. Whether it’s designing digital services, defining sustainability, or navigating AI, no one has all the answers alone, but together, we can co-create solutions that matter.
Strengthening networks in Devon & Cornwall
One of the most important conversations of the day was about how we strengthen networks across Devon and Cornwall. Participants recognised that while many things are already working well such as people stepping up to support each other, hybrid working creating flexibility, and events like Tech4Good South West bringing people together, there are still big gaps to address given the rural nature of the region.
A clear theme was visibility and connection. Too often, networks remain hidden, fragmented, or reliant on word of mouth. The group called for a central calendar or shared hub to make activity easier to find and navigate.
There was also a strong appetite for more diverse and inclusive spaces. That means events beyond the big cities, taking activities into rural areas and communities, and making sure networks are accessible and welcoming for young people, marginalised groups, and grassroots voices. We would love to help do this!
Practical ideas included:
Rotating events across the region – bringing people together in pop-up and rural settings.
Skill swapping and peer mentoring – making it easier to share expertise across organisations.
Investment in hybrid tools – so people can join in wherever they are.
Advocacy with councils, MPs, and funders – to recognise and resource convening as essential community infrastructure.
The message was clear: healthy networks don’t just happen; they need investment, ownership, and care. They also need to be fun, welcoming, and community-owned to thrive long-term. If we get this right, strong networks will underpin everything else we want to achieve with tech for good in the South West.
Tech4Good South West is uniquely positioned to support this work. Our manifesto commits us to building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive region through technology, and our impact framework shows how collaboration drives change. By connecting innovators, VCSEs, startups, and partners, we create the conditions where tech for good can flourish by strengthening networks, amplifying voices, and turning shared challenges into collective action. This isn’t just about convening events, it’s about co-creating the resilient, connected ecosystem our regions across the South West need to thrive.
Looking ahead
This is the Tech4Good South West way: convening changemakers, creating connections, and strengthening our region’s collective impact.
We’re excited to keep the momentum going. We’re excited to spark more activity in South Devon and Cornwall, and we’d love to collaborate with you to make it happen. If you’d like to help convene, connect and create together, we’d love to hear from you.
Join our community, share your ideas, and be part of shaping the South West as the UK’s leading region for tech for good.
