Speaking Out National Conference 2009

This one day national conference aims to bring together key players working to improve outcomes for children and young people across England. The conference will look at how partnership working between government and charities can be further improved. This free event is aimed at strategic managers and decision-makers in cross-government agendas affecting children and young people, such as community empowerment, health, housing and homelessness, and education, employment and training. It will link up policy and practice, and provide an opportunity for local, regional and national policymakers to meet colleagues from the statutory, independent and voluntary and community sectors to exchange ideas about key issues affecting children and young people.

The morning keynote speaker is Third Sector Minister Angela Smith MP, with a response from Toby Blume, Chief Executive, Urban Forum. The afternoon keynote speaker is Shadow Minister for Charities, Social Enterprirse and Volunteering Nick Hurd MP.

Seminars will focus on some of Speaking Out's policy prioirty areas:

• Community Empowerment - delivered by Demos and PARCA
• Education, employment and training - delivered by YWCA England and Wales and Warwickshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services
• Health and wellbeing - delivered by YoungMinds and the Wish Centre
• Housing and homelessness

An exciting panel session will feature David Akinsanya, freelance journalist and presenter of Channel 4's Find me a family series and Stephen Cheung, recipient of the Princess Diana Award for community work and independent candidate for the European Elections, June 2009.

Travel bursaries

A number of travel bursaries are available and will be granted on a case by case basis. To request a bursary, please email speakingout@ncvys.org.uk.

Cancellation and substitution policy

This is a free event. However, all delegates must register online, via post or fax in order to reserve their place at the conference. All cancellations should be made a minimum of one week in advance – no later than 2 December 2009 - by emailing speakingout@ncvys.org.uk. Any cancellations after this time will incur a fee of £50 to cover the cost of delegate expenses. Any requests for a colleague to attend on your behalf must be made by emailing the same address prior to the event date.

Press enquiries

All press enquiries should be directed at Mariam Sheikh, Communications and PR Officer at NCVYS on mariam@ncvys.org.uk or 020 7278 1041.