Youth Work Conference November 2025
Schedule
Thu Nov 20 2025 at 09:30 am to 03:45 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House, Church Way, Iffley, Oxford OX4 4DZ | Oxford, EN
About this Event
Join us at the OY Annual Youth Work Conference 2025, a key event for youth workers, educators, and advocates dedicated to creating lasting impact.
Under this year's theme, Anti Oppressive Practice, we will explore how youth workers and youth organisations can support young people navigating toxic culutres and challenge the inequities that exist in our contemporary society. The day promises engaging talks, in-depth discussions, and opportunities for collective action.
Whether you're an experienced youth worker, new to the role, professional or volunteer, or someone passionate about the state of our communities and the role that youth work and young people can play in bringing about change, this conference offers an opportunity to learn, network, and explore this timely and important theme.
Key Highlights:
- Demystifying Anti-oppresive practice: led by OY's fantastic youth work trainer, Abi Bush, this session will unpack to key conecpts that underpin anti-oppressive practice and help participants to better understand how this can be applied to our work.
- Anti-racist youth work and Anti-oppressive practice: focussing on one of the most pervasive and toxic expressions of oppression, racism, local youth work legend Taraji Ogunnubi will help delegates apply the concepts of anti-oppression in practice, challenging and inspiring delegates to strive for better outcomes for young people and whole communities.
- Panel Discussion: Working with Young Men in the face of toxic masculinity and incel culture. A group of senior youth work professionals will grapple with one of our most pressing contemporary issues: online toxic masculinity and incel culture. How should youth workers respond to this issue? How can we dismantle unhealthy and toxic belief systems when they are so easily spread online? What is the role of men in addressing this particular challenge?
- Youth Voice as Anti-Oppressive Practice: What do young people think about these issues and how do we equip them to be advocates of positive change for themselves and their communities? OY's Youth Voice Lead and highly experienced youth worker and charity sector leader, Nicola Holmes Brown, will lead delegates in exploring these topcis.
- Designing and Leading Anti-Oppressive Organisations: Creative arts and social justice leader Yasmin Sidhwa from Mandala will reflect with delegates on how we create organisational cultures that inspire and enable anti-oppressive practice to flourish.
Schedule:
- 09:30 - 10:00 – Arrival & Refreshments
- 10:00 -10:15 – Welcome & Introductions
- 10:15 - 11:00 – Demystifying Anti-Oppressive Practice (Abi Bush)
- 11:15 - 12:00 – Anti Racist Youth Work and Anti-Oppressive Practice (Taraji Ogunnubi)
- 12:00 - 12:45 - Panel Discussion: Working with young men (Various Speakers)
- 12:40 - 13:45 – Lunch (included in ticket)
- 13:45 - 14:00 – Facilitated group discussions
- 14:00 - 14:30 – Youth Voice as Anti-Oppressive Practice (Nicola Holmes-Brown)
- 14:30 - 15:30 – Designing and Leading Anti-Oppressive Organisations (Yasmin Sidhwa)
- 15:30 – Closing Remarks & End
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for youth workers, leaders, educators and anyone committed to empowering young people and making change happen.
Tickets:
Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure your place early!
Where is it happening?
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House, Church Way, Iffley, Oxford OX4 4DZ, Church Way, Oxford, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 35.00
