A packed King Power Stadium says yes to connection, partnership, creativity and change!

On Tuesday 12th November we hosted our #PowerToChange conference at the King Power stadium. Participants came from across the business, community and public sector and were joined by a diverse range of young people as well as having the opportunity to network and mingle in the vibrant community leader’s village, where a wide range of grassroots community groups set up stalls and young podcasters interviewed participants. Young SEND people we work with used the conference as an opportunity to develop work experience and challenge stereotypes about SEND young people by marshalling the event, which they did with real zeal and professionalism.

In opening the conference our CEO Kieran Breen shared

I hope this conference gives us all a chance to learn from the collective wisdom and experience of those present, and to forge new connections and partnerships. If we can build on this and take forward the willingness to work in creative and agile partnerships, we really can turn despair into hope and bring about lasting change

Kieran Breen, Leicestershire Cares CEO

Keynote speakers included

Sophia Worringer, Deputy Policy Director, Centre for Social Justice. Gave an overview of her “A United Nation” report which sets out a suite of recommendations to make work pay, create safe streets, build stable communities, support fragile families, and champion the lost generation. She highlighted the importance of government stepping back and empowering and funding grassroots community groups, to use their local knowledge, skills and experience to tackle local issues.

Grace Strong, Head of Prevention, Leicestershire Police Strategic Director, Violence Reduction Network shared how the VRN had tried to embed community partnerships in the heart and soul of all they do and how as a team they were always focussed on long term prevention. All of which could present challenges and changes in work cultures but which was worth the struggle, and their data shows this approach is working and they are being effective at reducing violent crime.

Terry Galloway, Care Leaver Advocate. Terry shared some of his experience as a care leaver and how he has used this lived experience to build a coalition for change, which to date had persuaded 106 local authorities to recognise care experience as a protected characteristic, showing that when people work together with focus and passion, change is possible.

Daveena, Leicestershire Cares young person and superstar. The star of the morning talks was without doubt Daveena who shared her struggles and challenges as a care experienced young woman, and how with the support of organisations like Leicestershire Cares, she was determined not only to improve her life but the lives of other young people in a similar situation. This had included campaigning, successfully locally, for care experience to be recognised as a protected characteristic by the County and City council and working with other care experienced young people to produce a video about their lives which challenges stereotypes and call for a “change to the script”.

Participants had a variety of workshops to attend which included:

  • All you need is love, a village and a washing machine! Workshop Lead: Kieran Breen CEO Leicestershire Cares
  • “What You Saying?” Building Bridges Between Young People and the Public Sector Workshop Lead: Jacob Brown, Children, Young People and Families Engagement Officer, NHS Integrated Care Board
  • Capturing Outcomes through Media Workshop Lead: Aaron Todd, Leicestershire Cares and John Coster, Documentary Media Centre
  • Care experience as a protected characteristic: what are the next steps that we want to see? Workshop Lead: Terry Galloway, Care Leaver Advocate
  • The benefits of supported Internships for SEND young people Workshop Lead: Ross Cox, Leicestershire Cares and Jo Dawson, Project Manager for NHS Long Term Workforce Plan
  • The Lifelong Impact of a Criminal Record Workshop Lead: Dr Nicola Collett, Lecturer in Community and Criminal Justice, De Montfort University

Whilst there was a diverse range of workshops, a common theme that kept coming up was how important it is for the public, community and business sector to work together.

Local development is really a three legged stool, and if you cut off one or two of the legs be it community, business, or public sector it will not work, which is why we need joined up partnerships

The afternoon also included the premiere showing of “Change the Script”, a short film about what it’s like to be care experienced, made by care experienced young people who partner with Leicestershire Cares and a performance from Dah Gee Starz from #MadeAtLeicestershireCares, who premiered their #PowerToChange song to rapturous applause. Both events showed how using arts can be a powerful way of engaging young people to identify and speak out on key issues.

In closing the conference, delegates were asked to fill in pledge cards and to consider:

  • Connection: Will you reach out and make connections to build a network that opens doors for young people and gives them the support they need?
  • Partnership: Can you identify any organisations to collaborate with to make a real, lasting difference? You may have met some here today!
  • Creativity: Can you think of fresh approaches to creating new opportunities for young people to succeed?
  • Change: Every big change starts with a small step. Will you take that first step to turn your vision for young people into real action?

Since the conference closed we have been flooded with positive feedback such as

“Have followed up on a partnership made at the conference which has led to our leaflets aimed at young people being redesigned”

“Made me so aware of so many issues, where our business can engage and offer support”

“I think the SEND Model of assisted work placements could also be used for care experience young people and am going to follow up on this”

“Once again Leicestershire Cares, has reminded us of the importance of working without silo, ego or logo and what can be achieved by being creative and agile”

“I left feeling inspired and so much the NHS and ICS can learn from your #’PowerToChange model.”

“Reminded me of why we must listen to those outside our normal comfort zone and how much young people have to contribute if given support”

Conference attendees

As a team we are committed to working with our many partners to take this work forward and will be building on the support and goodwill generated by the conference to further develop creative and agile partnerships across the community, public and business sector which deliver lasting change for young people and communities.

Today is just the start, if we work together so much more we can achieve

Leicestershire Cares participant

For more information on:

Our #PowerToChange approach https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/our-approach/power-to-change/

CSJ A United Nation report https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/a-united-nation

Daveena’s journey https://www.vulnerability360.org.uk/my-care-experience-journey/

This piece was initially published at https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/news-events-/packed-king-power-stadium-says-yes-connection-partnership-creativity-and-change/#gallery-6M95V0-1 and is reprinted here with permission from Leicestershire Cares.