Post Diversity Conference 2016

Dec, 7 2016

~It has to be said that this years Diversity Conference at UCLAN  on Friday 25th November 2016 was monumental both in terms of the quality of the conference keynote speakers and workshop presenters.

Speakers on the day varied from a serving RAF pilot, an Olympic skier, an Artist, a spoken word poet and a comedian.

Here’s what Malcom MBE [uclan honorary fellow and former chief nursing officer] had to say in response to such a well received conference,

“Congratulations on the extremely successful conference. The eclectic line up of speakers was first class both in presentation and the freshness of subject matter and relevance. They were informative and inspiring.
The programme was so good that it deserved a full house at the Guild Hall-Every MH Nurse and Tutor should have been present.
Warmest regards,
Malcolm Rea MBE”.

2016’s conference title “Towards a Better Tomorrow” [based on the highly evaluated UCLan Creative Communities Group conference workshop]  gave speakers a platform to highlight how they had turned their lives around despite difficulties and thus progressed  'towards a better tomorrow'.

Elaine, a Business Manager and Disability Co-ordinator at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at UCLAN expressed these words of appreciation and in particular the concept behind ‘towards a better tomorrow’,

“Excellent conference - I really think that you have found a winning formula here - the lived experience is a very powerful means of getting the points across in a positive, inclusive environment.
I really liked the opening addresses - very well balanced and what a brilliant role model and advocate we have in Matt Dickinson. Having met him last year, it was good to see that he continues to work with great success towards a better tomorrow, not only for himself but also for others who have found themselves in similar positions. The keynotes were all fascinating in very different ways. All in all, a very uplifting day - please add me to the invite list for next year
Thanks
Elaine”.

For many in the audience they no doubt went away from the day with the thought  of Paul Walmsely. Paul was Britain's former most wanted criminal. After serving a prison sentence he was accompanied by his probation officer and he told a capacity audience how he has turned his life around during his time in prison. Paul has since effectively capitalized on his experience by becoming a full-time keynote conference speaker and successful author.

In his most humble and appreciative way, Paul recalls  his personal feelings from the day and what the conversations that ensued because of it,

“I really thought the day was revealing, vibrant and unforgettable in many ways. The stories opened my eyes to the degree that I've not stopped talking about it to everyone I meet. Thank you for the opportunity Nigel and also thank your staff, colleagues and other guests.
Regards and respect
Paul Walmlsey
Lecturer & Pastoral Care Lead”.

When Molly Case isn’t attending to her nursing duties she can be found writing her unique poetry. At the conference it didn’t go unnoticed, and as Liz Atkin, Visual Artist and Creative Practitioner from London observed, it added to the artistic touch that kept the audience intrigued to the bitter end,

“It was great to have the opportunity to listen to and meet wonderful speakers, particularly Juliette and Roger, but also for the lovely poetry by Molly, which really kept a creative element threaded through the day. I also loved the workshops which enabled smaller discussions. I came away with a huge sense of positive hope.

It was an inspirational day!

Best Wishes
Liz Atkin
Visual Artist and Creative Practitioner
London.

Special thanks also go to Chair of the CCG Russell Hogarth and conference co-ordinator Nigel Farnworth.

Colleagues from across the University and community made a fantastic effort in organising such a seamless and slick delivery of the conference.

Grete Smith Project Officer with Research Support Team at UCLAN has these final  kind words of gratitude about the organisational side of the conference and an immense feeling of joy to be invited there,

“Many thanks for organising the conference last Friday. The only feedback I have is that I thought the guest speakers were all tremendous and I felt very privileged to be there and listen to their stories. Every single one was powerful and made me very reflective. I can only say the same about the workshops as well.
Congratulations to you and your team for an excellent event and many thanks again.
I would love to be on the invitees list for next ye