Building Connections at Tech for Good Unconference Exeter
21 March 2025 marked a significant milestone for our community as we brought the Tech4Good South West Unconference to Exeter. The energy, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit that filled the room at Exeter Community Centre demonstrated exactly why our mission matters more than ever.
A Day of Vibrant Collaboration
First and foremost, Exeter you are amazing! We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us for the Exeter Unconference, and especially to Lucy Hawthorne whose skilled facilitation guided our discussions with warmth and purpose throughout the day.
The atmosphere was buzzing with ideas, the conversations rich with insight, and clearly meaningful connections made . Your willingness to listen, share, and engage created a space where ideas and purpose could flourish, and this really sums up the day “There is an appetite for creating community and working together.”, “The richness of the talks and meeting like-minded people.”
As one participant noted: "I arrived not completely sure it would be relevant but was surprised at how many good conversations I've had." This sentiment captures exactly what Tech4Good South West aims to create - unexpected connections that spark new possibilities.
Key Themes That Emerged
The beauty of the unconference format is that you, our community, set the agenda. The discussions revealed what matters most to tech for good practitioners in the South West:
1. Reshaping Work in an AI World
Conversations centered on how AI is transforming education and employment, with particular focus on supporting those most likely to be impacted by these changes. As one table noted, the "first wave" of AI impact is already hitting low-skill and part-time roles, affecting those already marginalised in our communities.
2. Ethical Governance and Online Safety
Questions of power, transparency, and responsibility dominated discussions about tech ethics. From exploring decentralised models to debating who bears responsibility for online safety, participants grappled with how to ensure technology serves everyone ethically.
One group concluded: "We are all still working this out—nobody has all the answers." This humility and openness to collective problem-solving is exactly the approach needed for these complex challenges.
3. Ensuring No One Is Left Behind
Digital inclusion remains a critical concern, especially for rural communities across the South West. Participants highlighted the need for user-centered design and the importance of the principle "nothing about us without us" when creating solutions.
4. Collaboration for Community Impact
The power of collaboration was perhaps the strongest theme throughout the day. Attendees explored how to break down silos between businesses, charities, and community organisations to create more impactful solutions.
"Change is hard but starts with relationships" summarised one participant - insight that underpins all our work at Tech4Good South West.
From Insights to Action
What sets our community apart isn't just the quality of conversation but the commitment to action. By the end of the day, participants had made concrete plans:
Networking connections to follow up on
Exploration of trustee roles to support organisations
Review of community outreach approaches to balance digital and in-person engagement
Investigation of digital skills training programs
Commitments to co-design initiatives with communities
Your Feedback Shapes Our Future
The feedback from attendees was not just encouraging, it was validating. You told us that Tech4Good South West provides:
A "great place to share or test ideas from a good value perspective"
Opportunities to "carve out time to think about the bigger tech picture" that the normal working day doesn't allow
A community where "we have great power and capability to do great things"
Most importantly, you asked for "more of this sort of networking thing!" and suggested quarterly unconferences, community clusters, and continued spaces for collaboration in Devon.
This Is Just The Beginning
What excites us is that your feedback and hopes for Tech4Good South West align perfectly with our vision for 2025 and beyond. You're calling for exactly what we're building:
Local community hubs: We're committed to growing the Exeter community with more events, collaborative spaces, and networking opportunities.
Specialised networks: Our AI Peer Network (next session: 30 April) and Digital Trustee Matchmaking program directly address your requests for focused collaboration.
Skills sharing and support: The desire for upskilling, mentorship, and practical assistance is at the heart of our membership community.
Impact projects: Your enthusiasm for collaborative projects that make a tangible difference is what drives our work.
One participant summed up their hope for our network as a desire "to align with others to develop safe, purposeful tech that actually helps." This perfectly captures our mission.
Join Us in Creating the Future
The Exeter Unconference demonstrated the incredible potential when passionate, purpose-driven people come together. But this is just one conversation in an ongoing journey.
Tech4Good South West exists to nurture these connections year-round, providing the infrastructure, resources, and community that enables technology to truly serve people, planet, and places across our region.
Here's how you can be part of this movement:
Become a member: Join our growing community of individuals and organisations committed to harnessing technology for positive social impact.
Attend our events: From AI Peer Network sessions to Digital Trustee matchmaking, our calendar is filled with opportunities to connect.
Share your expertise: Whether through mentoring, workshop facilitation, or collaborative projects, your skills can help others thrive.
Spread the word: Help us grow this community by inviting others who share our vision for technology that serves the greater good.
As another attendee powerfully stated, technology done right is "the answer to so many community challenges." Together, we can ensure that the South West leads the way in demonstrating how tech can be a force for good.
Tech4Good South West is a community-led, non-profit organisation building a vibrant regional ecosystem where technology drives positive social impact across the South West.
