PowerShift 2026
About this Event
This year's UKYCC PowerShift conference is taking place on Saturday 17th October at Manchester Museum.
Greater Manchester has been a hotbed of political activity this year so where else would be better placed to host a day of learning, collaboration and activism on how young poeple can become more engaged in politics. An important theme of this year's conference is the politics of hope and how young people can meaningfully participate in policy-making processes about their futures.
Expect a jam-packed programme with workshops led my local entrepreneurs and activists, opportunities to speak with your MPs, including Hannah Spencer and Afzal Khan, creative sessions to get you imagining a better future and plenty of opportunities to network and debate the biggest social and environmental justice issues facing this generation. Whether it be the cost of living, migrant justice, climate justice, women's rights or something else that you're passionate about, there is a place for you to discuss it all throughout the day.
Whether you are completely new to politics or have been engaged for a while, there is something for everyone throughout the day!
Event details
Registration starts from 9:30am on the top floor of Manchester Museum, with the first session starting promptly at 10:00am. Lunch will be served and refreshments offered throughout the day. Full details and programme will be announced shortly.
There will be creative drop-in sessions, board game stations, careers talks and a book swap happening all day as well as the programmed schedule so you can dip in and out of things as you see fit. The book swap is not themed so do bring anything along you think is worth a read, whether that's on social justice, economics, thriller or your latest fantasy read!
This event is aimed at young people between the ages of 18-29 - by signing up you confirm you are 18+. The event is free to join. As a non-profit organisation funded entirely through grants and donations, we do encourage you to consider donating towards the running costs of this event if you are able to do so. Without donations, we wouldn't be able to continue to operate!
Accessibility
❌ We have people in the Museum who have severe allergies to watermelon. Please do not bring watermelon in the Museum even in a sealed container.
😷 Covid 19 still presents a threat to public health, and especially to the clinically vulnerable. To ensure our events are safe for all to attend, UKYCC's Covid policy means that all attendees must wear a mask at all times during the event. You may remove them for refreshments and whilst eating lunch. We recommend wearing a FFP2 mask and will have some at the registration desk for those that need them. Of course, we understand that some people are unable to wear a mask for health reasons and we will not ask for proof if you choose not to wear a mask.
♿️The event will be taking place on the Top Floor of Manchester Museum. This can be accessed via lifts to the first floor.
🔇We will have a designated quiet/prayer room on site located near the lift. Please be respectful of others using the space at the same time.
Agenda
Book Swap
Info: After registration, bring any books you would like to swap to the designated swap space. For every book you donate, you will receive a ticket you can use to swap for a new-to-you book. Note: 9:30-10:30 is for book drop off only. From 10:30 onwards you are free to bring books and your tickets to swap throughout the day.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
In conversation with Hannah Spencer MP
Info: Join the opening session in the Classroom with Hannah Spencer, MP for Gorton and Denton. Hannah will set out how her first 8 months in Parliament have been, the issues she has been championing and you get an opportunity to ask a few questions of your own.
What future do you want?
Info: Details to follow
🕑: 10:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Collaging
Info: Set yourself up at our collaging station, which is free to drop in and out of all day, to get creative! Perhaps you would like to create a vision of the future, develop a vision board for how you will organise yourself in the next 12 months, maybe you wish to create a piece of artwork that expresses your activism. Whatever it is, nothing is off the table!
Panel discussion TBC
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Is your phone harming people and planet?
Info: Led by the London Mining Network, this session will explore the impact of mining companies on human rights and environmental justice both in the UK and internationally.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch
Info: Lunch will be provided - it will cater for vegan, vegetarian and gluten free diets.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Democracy Cafè
Host: Hosted by My Life My Say
Info: My Life My Say squad leader Lois Adela will be leading this session that reinvigorates the 17th-century coffee house tradition, where members of society would come together and discuss local issues. This Democracy Cafè will give you the chance to engage with peers, share your thoughts and speak about all things politics, climate and much more! As well as this, your local MP, Afzal Khan, will be in attendance to listen to the issues that matter most.
🕑: 01:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Are You Smarter Than A Politician?
Host: VoxPop Collective
Info: Led by Anita Okunde and Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, co-founders of VoxPop Collective, this workshop is focused on solution building for social issues, not divisive debate. Attendees will go through the full process of a beginners crash course to politics: understanding a problem, shaping a solution, and learning to communciate it clearly to decision makers. This session will be split into two 45 mins segments with a 15 mins break in the middle.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Refreshment Break
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Art is Activism
Info: Whether it's music, dance, paintings or poetry, art in all its formed has been used in activism movements for centuries. This session will explore different art forms and how you can express and draw attention to issues through alternative creative routes.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
