Having an impact can stem from a collaboration between people and companies who want to make a difference. Plus X Innovation and YouthTheGap came together to run the Impact Series, a variety of powerful conversations surrounding a key question: What does it truly mean to lead and make an impact, not just in business, but as a creator, an innovator, and a human being?
The series made a huge difference with:
- 57 attendees
- Four charities supported (Hummingbird Project, AudioActive, Find A Sistah CIC, and Kettie, NORA in Malawi)
- £285 raised
Kaia, initially founded YouthTheGap during her time as a participant in one of Plus X Innovation's own programmes - Stage One. Her new startup aligned with Plus X Innovation values and after an eye-opening standalone event, Calling In, Not Calling Out where they explored the power of inclusive conversations and taking accountability, it was clear there was an opportunity to expand and to truly grow a community.
"Centring the human within business is fundamental to challenge assumptions, spark conversation, and inspire action that isn't set around a profit or outcome-based goal, but rather thinking how we can be of service to one another, support each other locally, and how our actions can be tangible, not just theoretical." - Kaia, YouthTheGap
The Impact Series collaboration was built to create an open and inclusive environment to all, and Plus X Innovation worked closely with YouthTheGap to tackle a variety of important topics, drawn from the local Brighton ecosystem. The series was deliberately designed to run across different days, and times, to ensure people could come to at least one in the series - no matter their schedule, work or caring commitments. Each theme was chosen to embody the advocate, critically think, and rise above division.
Kaia adds,
"We have learnt a lot from our first series, from our attendees, to our partner organisations, and even our panellists. Each reflection, insight, and piece of feedback is critical in ensuring that we are truly walking the talk when it comes to the creation of each event in this series."
Event 1: Innovation Starts With Us
Charity partner: The Hummingbird Project
The series launched with Innovation Starts With Us: How Does Your Lived Experience Shape What You Build?, in partnership with The Hummingbird Project. This session explored how lived experience shapes the way we build, create and lead innovation, with conversations around bias, identity and inclusion.
The panel shared insights on building businesses without a blueprint and creating a culture of belonging from the very beginning and encouraged attendees to rethink inclusivity in practice.
Speakers included Alex Young, Kerry Lockwood, Meral Alizada, Calliope Wood, and Naqeeb Saide, who brought diverse and thoughtful perspectives to the discussion.
Event 2: Theory of Change in Innovation
Charity partner: AudioActive
The second event, Theory of Change in Innovation: How To Truly Measure Your Impact, partnered with AudioActive, focused on how to measure impact in a meaningful way, beyond simply vanity metrics.
The session introduced the concept of a personal and organisational “theory of change,” led by Anton Simanowitz. The panel shared reflections on authenticity and accountability whilst attendees explored the difference between activity, output, and real-world outcomes, gaining practical tools to measure social and cultural impact.
Speakers included Alec Chapman, Bobby Brown, Cecilia Harvey, Michelle Hunter, alongside Anton Simanowitz and Lara Sheldrake.
Event 3: The “I” In Community
Charity partner: Find A Sistah CIC
The third session, The “I” In Community: Innovation With And For People, in collaboration with Find A Sistah CIC, centred on what it truly means to build community 'with and for people'.
Structured around the Why, Where, What, and How of community-led innovation, the event opened up discussions on trust, boundaries, and lived experience and attendees reflected on how impact within communities is defined and sustained. The panel explored themes of equity and interdependence, challenging performative approaches to community building.
Speakers included Esther Olatunji, Naiya Welch-Evans, Jean Jules Wachter, and Megan Cooper.
Event 4: Beyond The Numbers - Making Money Moves
Charity partner: Kettie, NORA (Malawi)
The final event, Beyond The Numbers: Making Money Moves, in partnership with Kettie and NORA (Malawi), challenged traditional definitions of success. Rather than focusing solely on revenue, the session explored how our backgrounds and upbringings shape our relationship with money and what the word 'profit' means to different people.
Sam, Plus X Innovation's Brighton Marketing Manager commented:
"This event particularly made me consider privilege and what we have available to us. Plus X Innovation has an abundance of space, which is an honour to be able to share for good causes. It's a resource we can continue to use to benefit the local community, as shown by these events."
Conversations unpacked financial barriers, access to resources, and sustainability within impact-driven work. The series closed by reframing success as something deeper than income alone.
Speakers included Lara Parry, Molly Taylor, and Hema Patel.
The Impact Series Continues into 2026
Whilst the Impact Series of 2025/26 was created to create an inclusive and open community, and build a space where more voices can be heard and valued, the work is not finished.
Kaia shares her hopes for series two,
"I hope to continue to make a safe space for people to show up just as they are, to have uncomfortable conversations, to dive deeper than anticipated, but leave feeling empowered to translate those themes into something they can commit to, beyond their self-interest."
The momentum generated across these events has been powerful, sparking important conversations and meaningful connections across Brighton. As the work continues, so does the desire to continue building this community.
Sam rounds up Impact Series One:
"It was amazing to build in conversations from the launch event to build community and build such a powerful group of people in Brighton. There were some hard-hitting and thought-provoking topics discussed, and it was so impactful to be able to have the space to unpack those topics. It was also great to be able to support charities which align so closely with our values here at Plus X Innovation.
We look forward to being able to host Impact Series Two here in the building and give people the space to be themselves, and not be shut down or judged for who they are."
We are always looking for people to collaborate with to have an impact. If you are interested in being part of a future Impact Series event, please get in touch.
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