View our upcoming Be a Councillor events.
Upcoming events
2024/25 Be a Councillor partner events programme
Time: 12pm-1.15pm
Do you want to give something back to your community? To empower your place in uncertain times? To use the momentum from the recent General Election to renew your local area?
This NALC Make A Change and LGA Be A Councillor event aims to promote the idea of standing for election as a local (parish, town and community) and principal authority (district, county, borough or unitary) councillor at the May 2025 local council elections. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences, who reflect the communities they serve, to put themselves forward for election. Join us to hear from experts in the field who have become brilliant local councillors at various local government levels, from all quarters.
Whether you live in a parished or un-parished area, this unique free event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the work and role of local councillors in your community and answer your questions about standing for election as a local councillor in May 2025.
A diverse panel of experts will share their insights, experience, and advice. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with representatives from areas which held local council elections in May 2024 and elsewhere, to find out how you can change your place for good.
Past events
2023/24 Be a Councillor partner events programme
We worked with expert partners the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), Elect Her, 50:50 Parliament, Shout Out UK and the Disability Policy Centre to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to #BeACouncillor and #MakeADifference.
Time: 5pm-7pm
Are you a campaigner, activist or someone who is passionate about making an impact in your local community?
Have you ever thought about putting yourself forward to be a local councillor?
Join our cross-party panel to learn more about the experiences of disabled councillors and candidates, and those who have been on the journey before. This is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and create your own plans for the future.
Location: Bevan Hall, Local Government House, 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ
Get your tickets to the in-person Be a Councillor event on eventbrite
Time: They are available for 20 minute slots on Monday 27 November 2023 between 10am - 8:30pm.
This year, Elect Her want to offer the opportunity to women in our community to book in specific 1:1 time, to talk, ask questions and catch up with the Elect Her Team. They are putting aside a day each month to have a chat and a blether.
Time: 7.30pm-9pm
Make contact with inspirational women in local politics to discover if becoming a councillor is right for you and how to get there, whilst building a supportive community in the process.
The Disability Policy Centre has arranged online drop-in sessions to find out more about becoming a councillor. For more information please email: [email protected]
Time: 6.30pm-8pm
Find out how selections work, how to campaign and get useful resources for new candidates. During breakout sessions you will have a chance to chat with an elected councillor and connect with a network of peers.
Time: 12:30pm-3pm
Shout UK are hosting an online hackathon workshop to educate and encourage young people to get involved in local democracy. Connect with likeminded people to understand and address the barriers that young people face to becoming a councillor.
More information will be available soon on the Shout Out UK website.
Book your place on Eventbrite
Time: 12.30pm-2pm
Another chance to find out how selections work, how to campaign and get useful resources for new candidates. During breakout sessions you will have a chance to chat with an elected councillor and connect with a network of peers.
Time: 12.30pm-1.30pm
Make contact with inspirational women in local politics to discover if becoming a councillor is right for you and how to get there, whilst building a supportive community in the process.
Time: drop-in sessions from 10am-8.30pm
Another opportunity to book in specific 1:1 time, to talk, ask questions and catch up with the Elect Her Team. They are putting aside a day each month to have a chat and a blether.
More information will be available on the Elect Her website soon.
Time: 12pm-3pm
Shout UK are hosting an online hackathon workshop to educate and encourage young people to get involved in local democracy. Connect with likeminded people to understand and address the barriers that young people face to becoming a councillor.
More information will be available soon on the Shout Out UK website.
Learn from disabled councillors and previous candidates about their experiences of putting themselves forward for election, and be inspired to do the same.
More information will be available on the Disability Policy Centre website soon.
Time: 6pm-7.30pm
This workshop is open to everyone but will focus on the specific challenges and opportunities for women from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Join one of 50:50 Parliament's interactive online workshops where they will give you all the information you need to start your journey, including information about how to put yourself forward, how selections work, how to campaign and useful resources for new candidates. During break out sessions you will have a chance to speak with an elected councillor and connect with a network of peers.
Time: 12pm-3pm
Shout UK are hosting in Liverpool, an in person hackathon workshop to educate and encourage young people to get involved in local democracy. Connect with likeminded people to understand and address the barriers that young people face to becoming a councillor.
More information will be available soon on the Shout Out UK website.
Time: drop-in sessions from 10am-8.30pm
Another opportunity to book in specific 1:1 time, to talk, ask questions and catch up with the Elect Her Team. They are putting aside a day each month to have a chat and a blether.
More information will be available on the Elect Her website soon.
Time: 7.30pm-9pm
Make contact with inspirational women in local politics to discover if becoming a councillor is right for you and how to get there, whilst building a supportive community in the process.
All women are welcome to register for these sessions. Non-binary people whose experiences or identities intersect with women’s and therefore feel they would benefit from accessing a women-centred space are welcome to join us.
Time: drop-in sessions from 10am-8.30pm
Another opportunity to book in specific 1:1 time, to talk, ask questions and catch up with the Elect Her Team. They are putting aside a day each month to have a chat and a blether.
More information will be available on the Elect Her website soon.
Time: 20 March 2024 09:30 – 16:30, 21 March 09:30 – 16:00 - NEC Birmingham
The LGA will be hosting a Be a Councillor stand in the Business Without Barriers area at this year’s Naidex conference.
Free tickets and more information can be found on the Naidex website.
Time: 8pm-9pm
This online session will provide women from minority ethnic backgrounds with a safe space in which to share experiences and explore how to overcome barriers they might face. This session will focus on putting yourself forward for election as a local councillor and is open to anyone who is interested in becoming, or is already, a candidate for a local authority election.
This event page will be updated with booking links periodically, please do check back to keep up to date. If you have any questions about the events listed above, please email [email protected]
Sign up to our Be a Councillor newsletter
Funded by UK Government.