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Too often, assumptions widen the gap between communities and services. This year’s conference invites parents, professionals, and changemakers to challenge stereotypes, confront biases & cultural misconceptions, and build new models of care rooted in trust, understanding, and cultural relevance.

It’s time to listen, learn, and lead—together.

Join us as we break down barriers between families and services. This conference reimagines how professionals and communities can collaborate for the well-being of every child and parent. Together, let’s replace assumptions with understanding, and gaps with genuine partnership.

Programme
of Event

TIME
ACTIVITY
TOPIC
DETAILS
SPEAKERS
MAIN CONFERENCE Venue:- Bridge Community Church Conference Hall

Theme:  Beyond Assumptions 2.0: Reimagining Parenting, Youth Voice & Professional Practice

Date: Saturday 24th October 2026 | Time: 9am – 4pm

08:30 – 09:30

REGISTRATION & FREE MORNING REFRESHMENTS

09:00 – 09:30
Main Conference Registration Morning Refreshment & Networking

A light grab-and-go breakfast will be available as attendees arrive. Connect with fellow parents, professionals, and community members while viewing an inspiring Afrikindness highlight reel.

Mini Pastries – croissants, pain au chocolat, Muffins, Biscuits, Tea & Coffee

MAIN CONFERENCE STARTS – MORNING SESSION

09:30 – 09:35
Welcome
Welcome & Opening remarks
Special welcome by our Host
09:35 – 09:40
Video Show
Parent Voices Video Collage – Unheard, Unseen: The Hidden Weight Parents Carry
A powerful collection of parent voices sharing lived experiences, challenges, and hopes for change.
09:40 – 09:50
Welcome Address
Beyond Assumptions 2.0: Reimagining Parenting, Youth Voice & Professional Practice
Setting the tone for a day of connection, learning, and empowerment.
Councillor Stephen Holroyd 132nd Lord Mayor of Leeds

09:50 – 10:00

Headline Sponsors
Sponsors Address by Nudge Education Limited
10:00 – 10:45
Panel Discussion – Safegaurding
Safeguarding & Child Protection Unpacked: Insights from Professionals
Understanding Safeguarding & Social Services: Culture, Care & Protecting Children – (Child protection, Child in Need, Child in Care, Section 20, Section 47, PLO, Child protection plan etc) – What parents need to know Real life discussion from Safeguarding Padlet
Adwina Smith Ann Marie Christain Dr Folasade Rotimi Dr Temitope Ademosu
Life Story Collation – Safeguarding
Parent’s journey through Safeguarding & Social Services

Lived Experiences: Navigating Safeguarding Systems in the UK

We kindly ask parents to share their experiences anonymously through our Padlet platform, providing a safe space to express their stories openly and honestly

Share your Story here:
Parent Safeguarding Padlet

10:45 – 11:00

Keynote address

Beyond Assumptions 2.0: Shifting Mindsets, Strengthening Families, Amplifying Voice

A powerful keynote exploring how we move beyond assumptions to better understand parenting, elevate youth voice, and transform professional practice to improve outcomes for families

Richard Burgon MP
Member of Parliament Leeds East

11:00 – 11:30
Question Time with Leaders
Ask your Leaders
Ask your Leaders

Richard Burgon MP
Member of Parliament Leeds East

11:30 – 11:45
COFFEE BREAK Networking
Coffee & Tea – Network with other parents, professionals, carers, service providers

Watch LIVE a Parent with Lived Experience (Neurodiversity) – Sainabou Secka
Watch here: – https://youtu.be/tfHASk1sjzo

11:45 – 12:15
Life story – Neurodiversity
Fireside Chat in Conversation with Parents with Neurodivergent Children
A heartfelt conversation with a parent sharing her lived experience of raising neurodivergent children, the challenges, learning, and moments of growth along the journey and professionals supporting neurodivergent family
Dr. Vivian Okoye Sainabou Secka Pete Hughes Noel Davies-Atack
12:15 – 12:30
Presentation – Neurodiversity
Navigating SEND in schools
Practical guidance for parents on understanding and navigating SEND support in schools, including EHCPs, communication with teachers, and accessing the right help for their child.
Alice Crawford Education psychologist and Autism Assessor
12:30 – 12:45
Questions for Panel Speakers
Questions for Panel Speakers
Questions for Panel Speakers
12:45 – 13:00
Mindfulness in Practise
Mental Health & Wellbeing: Navigating Behaviour, Self-Care & Resilient Parenting
Introduction of Men’s Connect Group Pause & Breathe – a calming guided space to pause, breathe, and reset your mind through simple mindfulness and breathing techniques.
Dr Terrence Isaacs Winnie Ebunobi
13:00- 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
A selection of food vendors will be available offering meals at discounted prices. Please see the Conference Menu for details.
View Catering Menu here
14:00 – 14:40
Panel Discussion – Parenting
Disruptive Conversation on Parenting in Diverse Context
Unpacking the Complex Layers of Parenting in Diverse Communities — Exploring how cultural identity and lived experiences shape neurodiversity, mental health, bullying, knife crime, and safeguarding, and how these issues intersect to impact the safety and wellbeing of young people and families.
Prof Udy Cllr Fozia Shaheen Peace George Chioma Fanawopo Pastor Adeyinka O. Male – community
14:40 – 14:50
Digital Parental Control
What You Need to Know – Parental Controls
Short Video: – Setting up Parental Controls made simple Parents’ Guide to online safety for young people
Tolu Owolabi
14:50 – 15:00
Young People Project
Race, Racism and Education

A short presentation by our young people on their 1-year project with York St John’s University and Liverpool Hope University Racial toolkit participant’s engagement.

5-mins Parent engagement with cultural toolkit

Temi O
Pearl A
Munachi C

15:00 – 15:45
Plenary Session
Complex Parenting & Youth Voice

Cultural identity, Digital Parental control, Race, Parenting in diverse context

Real issues affecting young people—such as bullying, knife crime, and teenage challenges

Prof Engobo Emeseh
Dr Pedi Obani
Adeyinka Olayinka
Peace George
Chioma Fanawopo
Tolu Owolabi

Safeguarding
Safeguarding challenges and building trust in social care
Lanre Oyedokun Anne Marie Christain Adwina Smith Lola Olaniyan Alabi
Neurodiversity
Understanding neurodiversity – diagnosis, school support, access to appropriate services
Pete Hughes Noel Davies-Atack Dr. Vivian Okoye Sainabou Secka
Men Connect Group – MEN ONLY
A safe discussion on men’s mental health, free activities and support for men. Welfare support and much more.
Dr Terrence Isaacs Modestus Okonkwo Tolu Owolabi Emmanuel Nwoke Lamin Kinteh
NHS research project group
Health Talk with NHS
Kemi Oseni NHS team
15:45 – 16:00
Closing Keynote
Beyond the Struggle: Raising Hope, Raising Children, Raising the Future
Dr Lara Rose will deliver a powerful culturally rooted performance blending Yoruba Oriki, poetry, music and storytelling. The performance will reflect the conference theme through identity, resilience, belonging, hope and the legacy we create for the next generation.
Dr Lara Rose Multidisciplinary Cultural artist
16:00
Announcement of Raffle draw winners
RAFFLE DRAW! RAFFLE DRAW!! RAFFLE DRAW
Tolu Owolabi Dorcas Fakile Bunmi Owolabi Modestus Okonkwo Lamin Kinteh
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