Grimsby, NE Lincs | 9th – 10th March 2026
Join people who are building a thriving future in Grimsby, their hometowns and across the country.
Supported by
Image credit: Creative Start | Image licensed for use by Paint The Town Proud community mural project led by Creative Start Arts In Health CIC.
We know the change we care about takes all of us contributing our bit, and that everyone brings something different. That’s why Open House brings together such a wonderfully diverse mix of people. Citizens and leaders from every sector who are already building the future of their town. National think tanks, social investors, funders, policy makers and businesses who share the same values. All in one place, ready to go further together.
Come as you are. Open House is for you.
10.30 – 15.30, Grimsby Town FC, Blundell Pk, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs, DN35 7PY
Get yourself a coffee and start meeting the brilliant people around you. The magic of Open House starts right here.
Hear how Grimsby’s story began, giving you context on the change underway, the Our Future model, future plans and ideas for how you can get involved
Panel: At the heart of this work is working together in the collective good and creating a space where we can all pitch in to contribute to the places we live and work.
We’ve designed the programme so everyone can come together, while giving you the freedom to choose the sessions that matter most to you. Further exciting sessions to be added:
Take a break and keep the conversations going. Lunch is ready.
Q&A: Hear directly from the people leading change in Grimsby and across the country. Hear about the progress being made, the wins worth celebrating and what’s coming next.
We’ve designed the programme so everyone can come together, while giving you the freedom to choose the sessions that matter most to you. Further exciting sessions to be added:
Panel: Building a thriving future takes all of us. In this panel, leaders from across citizens, business and local and central government come together to explore what it really means to lead for the common good, why it matters and what it could look like in the years ahead.
Panel: What happens when one town’s story sparks another? This session explores the ripple effect of the Grimsby model, introducing For Generations To Come in Rochdale and hearing from towns across the country who are finding their own way to shape a better future.
Day 1 brings people together in Grimsby to ground the gathering in place and real work. Hosted at Blundell Park, the focus is on lived experience, shared practice and building the relationships that make change possible.
9.00 – 14.00, Grimsby Town FC, Blundell Pk, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs, DN35 7PY
Welcome back. Get a drink, reconnect with the people you met yesterday and get ready for another packed day.
Day 2 looks forward and opens up a wider view. The focus shifts to responsibility, exploring what this work asks of all of us and how leadership, institutions and investment can better support people-led change.
Panel: How citizens coming together are transforming the town. This session will lay out the current model and future plans for how citizens are setting up a new institution to back the town to build its own future.
Panel: Often the money is the barrier not the solution, in this session we will look at how money can work differently at every level to ensure Grimsby and other towns can fuel their own future by:
We’ve designed the programme so everyone can come together, while giving you the freedom to choose the sessions that matter most to you. Further exciting sessions to be added:
Panel: What could the relationship be between citizens, the state and business
At the heart of our model is a recognition that it is only by bringing the strengths of citizens, businesses and local and central government will we build a thriving future. In this panel people from each sector will reflect on why this is valuable, what this takes and what this could look like in the future
We’ve designed the programme so everyone can come together, while giving you the freedom to choose the sessions that matter most to you. Further exciting sessions to be added:
What this means for our country, for opportunity and for the future we are building
Two days of ideas, conversations and connections. Before we close, we take a moment to reflect on what we’ve heard, what we’ve learned and what we’re taking home with us. The good news? The day isn’t over yet. Join us for one of our fringe events happening later.
Grab some lunch and keep the conversations flowing. Some of the best moments at Open House happen over food.
Day 2 looks forward and opens up a wider view. The focus shifts to responsibility, exploring what this work asks of all of us and how leadership, institutions and investment can better support people-led change.
A day for sense-making and direction, turning what has been seen and felt into shared understanding and next steps.
Shared sessions bringing together insight and experience from across places.
Conversations focused on leadership, investment, systems and the institutions needed for long-term change.
Practical and discussion-led sessions exploring how funding, policy and organisations can better enable locally-led change.
With over 16 breakout sessions across Open House covering topics from community ownership and local leadership to social investment, town centre regeneration and the future of our country, there’s something for everyone.
Hosted by Katherine York (Catapult Offshore Renewable Energy)
Hosted by David Robinson and Neil Denton (The Relationships Project)
Hosted by David Talbot (CATCH), Jonathan Goolden (Wilkin Chapman), Sacha Romanovitch (SRV Consulting) and Pete Williams (Citizens Advice NE Lincs)
Hosted by James Trowsdale (North East Lincolnshire Council)
Hosted by Julie Walmsley (Doorstep)
Coming soon…
Hosted by Tim Davies Pugh (Power to Change) and Mark Webb (The Business Hive)
Hosted by Mark Hodson (Hodson Architects)
Hosted by Jet (Our Future), Mila Lukic (Bridges Outcomes Partnerships) & Louise Fadina (Health & Care Partnership)
Hosted by Lucy Bush (Demos) & Claire Thompson (North East Lincolnshire Council)
Tour hosted by Jason (GTFC)
Hosted by Angela (Our Future), Ed (Our Future), Sara Allen (Greater Cambridge Impact) & Matt Smith (The Key Fund)
Hosted by Neil Cartwright (Civic Society)
Various Locations Across Grimsby, NE Lincs
Visit one of the UK’s most impressive training facilities & see first hand how Grimsby is building the skills for a green future.
Venue: CATCH UK, Redwood Park Estate, Stallingborough, Grimsby, DN41 8TH
Visit the new CARE Hub and explore how dignity & design shape community spaces and experience a space designed with dignity in mind.
Venue: The Care Hub, 86-88 Victoria St, Grimsby, DN31 1BG
Join us for a visionary walking tour of Grimsby town centre – and get a first-hand look at the places and plans that are set to transform our high street into a vibrant, community-focused destination.
Venue: St James Hotel, St James Sqare, Grimsby, DN31 1XZ
Visit the new CARE Hub and explore how dignity & design shape community spaces and experience a space designed with dignity in mind.
Venue: The Care Hub, 86-88 Victoria St, Grimsby, DN31 1BG
Visit the new Horizon Youth Zone for a look around the facilities and enjoy breakfast before heading to GTFC.
Join us for an evening of great food and great conversation. Dinner is complementary. If you’re not planning on joining us, or have any special dietary requirements please let us know by Sunday 1st March.
Venue: Docks Beers, The Church, King Edward St, Grimsby, DN31 3JD
Join other Grimbarians who no longer live in the area, but still feel a deep connection to this wonderful place.
Venue: Grimsby Town Football Club, Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs, DN35 7PY
If you’re curious about social investment, join us for an informal breakfast to learn more and meet some experts.
Venue: Grimsby Town Football Club, Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs, DN35 7PY
We’ve over 50 confirmed speakers and panelist contributing to the event.
Abbie Dewhurst / Host
Adam Johnston / North East Lincolnshire Health and Care Partnership
Adam Wheatley
Alan Burley
Alan Johnson
Amy Quickfall / Navigo Health and Social Care CIC
Angela Francis / Our Future
Ann-Marie Matson / Childrens Services, North East Lincolnshire Council
Grimsby Town Football Club Foundation Board
Anne Bickerstaffe / CARE
Claire Thompson / North East Lincolnshire Council
David Artell / Grimsby Town F.C.
David Talbot / CATCH UK
Dominic Richardson / Wilkin Chapman Rollits
Our Future – Advisor
Ed / Our Future
Emily Bolton / Our Future
Ian Harvey
James Perry / COOK &
Our Future
James Trowsdale / North East Lincolnshire Council
Jonathan Goolden / Wilkin Chapman Rollits
Jose Davies / Our Future & 2025 Group
Julie Walmsley / Doorstep
Katharine York / Catapult Offshore Renewable Energy
Killian Troy-O’Donovan / Our Future
Louise Fadina / Health and Care Partnership
Lucy Bush / Demos
Lucy Ottewell-Key / Horizon Youth Zone
Majdi Osman
Mark Hodson / Hodson Architects
Mark Webb / The Business Hive
Matt Hyde / Lloyds Bank Foundation
Matt Smith / Keyfund
Michelle Donner / Oasis UK
Mila Lukic OBE / Bridges Outcomes Partnerships
Neil Denton / Relationships Project
Pete Williams
Polly Bancroft / Grimsby Town F.C.
Sacha Ramonovitch / SVR Consulting ltd
Sara Allen / The Cambridge Pledge & Greater Cambridge Impact
Sarah Everest-Ford / North East Lincolnshire Health and Care Partnership
Sharon Wroot / North East Lincolnshire Council
Simon Beeton / Navigo Health and Social Care CIC
Simon Green / Humber Freeport
Sir David Robinson / Relationships Project
Spencer Hunt / North East Lincolnshire Council
Tim Davies Pugh / Power to Change
Vicky Dunn / Grimsby Community Energy
pen House is about rolling up your sleeves, getting stuck in and working alongside people who love their towns as much as you do. Expect warm conversations, brilliant ideas and the kind of energy that comes from being in a room with people who care. Come ready to contribute, connect and leave with practical ideas, new collaborators and a renewed belief in what’s possible when we come together with big ambition for the places we love.
Day 1 is Monday 9th March at Grimsby Town Football Club. That evening, join us at Docks Beers from 6pm for dinner and conversation. Day 2 is Tuesday 10th March, back at Grimsby Town Football Club. There are also fringe events happening across the town throughout both days.
Yes, please register on Eventbrite. We’re thrilled by the response so far and are now very close to capacity. If your circumstances have changed and you’re no longer available to attend, please do let us know by emailing hello@our-future.io as it helps us manage numbers.
Absolutely. Connection is everything. We’ve set up a LinkedIn group where you can connect before, during and after Open House to share ideas, meet collaborators and support positive change in towns across the country. Join the group and start the conversations.
There are a few local options we’d recommend: Yarborough Hotel, Meg’s Island, Cloves in Cleethorpes, Vines B&B and Kingsway Hotel. Book early if you can as places fill up quickly.
Yourself, your ideas and your energy. Please come ready to listen, learn and contribute.
Some sessions bring everyone together. Others are breakouts where you choose what’s most useful to you and explore approaches to take back home.
Yes. We’re offering site visits and walking tours so you can see the change happening up close – from the transformation of CARE to CATCH’s state-of-the-art skills training facility. These are optional add-ons you can sign up for before Open House.
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