Marjon Youth & Community Work Conference
5 June 2026 to 5 June 2026 | Friday 5 June, 9:30 - 15:30 | HDC 101, ÃÛÑ¿TV University
About this event
Marjon Youth & Community Work Conference 2026: Youth Work Is… Turning Pages, Changing Lives
Location: HDC 101, ÃÛÑ¿TV University Campus
Date: Friday 5 June
Welcome to Youth Work Is… Turning Pages, Changing Lives. This year’s conference explores how literacy - in its widest sense, including reading, writing, storytelling and research - can be a powerful tool for empowerment, voice, and social change in youth and community work.
At a time when young people face increasing inequality and barriers to opportunity, the ability to read, write, research and critically engage with the world has never been more important. Together, we will examine how youth workers can support young people not only to access knowledge but to shape their own narratives, challenge inequality, and influence the world around them. Whether you're a youth worker, community practitioner, educator, or emerging professional, this conference invites you to reflect, connect, and co-create.
Join us as we explore how youth work helps young people find their voice, tell their stories, and shape their futures. Be part of a collective effort to turn pages, not just in books, but in lives, communities, and systems.
Timings for the event
9.00 – 9.30: Arrival, registration and networking
9.30 – 9.45: Opening the book (welcome and introductions)
9.45 – 10.05: Speaker 1: Turning the Page on Poverty: Collaborative Approaches
10.05 – 10.15: Between the Lines Discussion Time
10.15 – 10.20: Bookmark (breathing space): In the spirit of Enid Blyton, “It’s lovely to sit quietly for a bit and just enjoy things, isn’t it?”
10.20 – 10.40: Speaker 2: Rewriting the Narrative: Youth Work and Anti-Racism
10.40 – 10.50: Between the Lines Discussion Time
10.50 – 11.10: Comfort break: Guiding by Paddington Bear, “It’s always a good idea to take a moment… perhaps with marmalade.”
11.10 – 12.10: Writing the Next Chapter: Generating Research Ideas
12.10 – 12.30: Creating a Shared Library: Developing and Sharing Ideas
12.30 – 1.15: Lunch Break: In the words of C.S. Lewis (1961), “Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”
1.15 – 2.00: Choose Your Chapter (workshops 1 and 2)
2.00 – 2.15: Bookmark (breathing space): Embracing the philosophy of Winnie-the-Pooh, “Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.”
2.15 – 3.00: Choose Your Chapter (workshops 1 and 2, repeated)
3.00 – 3.30: Closing the Book: Reflections and Next Steps
We look forward to welcoming you to Marjon.