FREE Community Anti-racism Conference to Mark Black History Month 2025

FREE CONFERENCE - 2nd Annual Community Anti-racism Conference to Mark UK October Black History Month 2025.

LET’S TALK, LET’S LEARN. LET’S CHANGE.

Join Vivian Okeze–Tirado, Author, England social worker of the Year and social justice advocate (2021), Head of VOT Training and Consultancy to discuss anti-racism! Enhance your knowledge and skills and equip yourself for good practice in this area. An engaging discussion on all things anti-racism, including a workshop focused on understanding key terminologies often misused. Using practical examples and personal stories and case studies to explore race discrimination and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be anti-racist.

Since October 2021, Vivian has run annual creative anti-racist events on social media as part of October Black History Month. This year, however, she has taken a step further to continue the discussion in -person by hosting this face-to-face event to bring diverse professionals together for an inclusive learning event.

Date: Friday 10th October 2025. 10:00am - 13:00pm

Venue - Millenium Hall, Roffey, RH12 4DT, Horsham, West Sussex. (20mins walk from Horsham Train Station)

Who is this conference for?

The conference is for members of community, people-facing professionals - Social workers, Health and Social care staff, Teachers and Individuals who are enthusiastic about race equity and are curious or eager to acquire knowledge on how to be anti-racist. We've all got stories to tell, have you got one to tell or do you simply want to learn? Join us! You will be glad you did! UK Black History Month Event.

Why attend? Simply put, this event will equip you with the tools for effective anti-racist practice, helping you avoid uncomfortable situations and become an active part of the solution. Join the journey towards race equity and inclusion and take the first step toward becoming a Race Equality Ambassador. Social workers and social care staff can use this event as part of their professional CPD - Vivian Okeze–Tirado is a trusted conference speaker for Social Work England (SWE), the British Association of Social Workers (BASW)., Community Care Inform (CC) and the Children Social Care Regulatory body (Ofsted) etc.

What to expect?

• A Half-day learning event hosted by Vivian Okeze–Tirado, a nationally recognised Social Work Professional, Author, EDI, Anti-racism Trainer and Consultant.

• A reflective workshop on anti-racism following 2024 Black History Month UK.
• Stories! Stories! Stories! Using storytelling and case studies to bring the event to life. Professionals will be sharing their stories to educate you. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou.
• Promoting racial diversity and inclusion and anti-racist practice within an inclusive learning environment.
• - Stories – Speakers - Reflection – Learning - Networking - Refreshment - CPD – Certificate available on request.

Come, let us Talk, Learn and Bring change! There is room for all.

Who is Vivian Okeze - Tirado? - Head of VOT Training & Consultancy.

Vivian Okeze – Tirado is a UK national award-winning social work leader, social justice advocate, practice educator and keynote speaker. Vivian is the author of *D.I.V.E.R.R.S.I.T.Y.: A Guide to Working with Diversity and Developing Cultural Sensitivity* originally published in April 2021. The book was initially aimed at social workers and social care professionals but has since been broadened to serve all people-facing professionals, published by London Jessica Kingsley on World Social Work - Day in March 2023.

Vivian is the founder and Head of VOT Training and Consultancy Services, she is a nationally recognised keynote speaker in social work, social care, equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and anti-racism. She designs and delivers specialised training also providing consultancy services to help organisations embed EDI principles into their culture and practices. Her clients include Social Work England (SWE), Community Care, British Association of Social Workers (BASW), Royal college of Paediatrics, Local Authorities and Ofsted etc. In the last years, Vivian has trained over 2,000 social work and social care professionals and leaders across England and the US, both in small and large audiences. Delivered keynote address on prominent, high-profile platforms including the 2025 Ofsted National Conference.

Before establishing her Training and Consultancy, Vivian worked for over nine years with West Sussex Children Services, where she progressed from Social Worker to Advanced Practitioner (Fostering), Practice Educator, Adoption Panel Member, and finishing as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead for Children Services. In September 2023, she decided to step away from her role to build her own practice and expand her impact within the field.

Vivian is described as a passionate, motivational and inspirational speaker.

Vivian prides herself as a passionate and inspiring keynote speaker, an innovative leader and a changemaker.

Vivian is the Head of VOT Training and Consultancy Services is based in Horsham, West Sussex and provides services across the UK. Delivers dynamic and interactive training and conferences which combine emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity to ensure that safeguarding of vulnerable service users remains the heart of practice. Social Work, Social Care, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Anti-racism training for public, private and charity organisations for professionals at all levels. We believe that diversity is an asset that we all benefit from.

Our purpose is to promote knowledge to inspire fair, inclusive, and equitable workplaces one training, one conference at a time.

We envision a world where race inequality has been eradicated or significantly reduced, a world where organisations reflect tangible diversity and exemplify anti-racist practice, fairness, and equity.

Our Values: Empathy – Fairness – Integrity – Collaboration – Passion – Inspiration - Kindness

"We believe that if we embody empathy in our hearts, fairness in our actions, integrity in our spirit, a collaborative attitude with passion, we inspire a kinder world" - Vivian Okeze - Tirado.

Registration: Do not miss this unique opportunity. All tickets are free covering the workshop, tea, coffee, and refreshments. You will however still need to register to obtain your free ticket as soon as possible. Certificate will be provided if required but with a small fee.

Venue - Millenium Hall, Roffey, RH12 4DT, Horsham, West Sussex. (20mins walk from Horsham Train Station). Commuter buses also ply the route.

For more information, contact: learn@vottraining.co.uk

Website: https://vottraining.co.uk/