Everybody thriving: How can we promote wellbeing and a love of learning?

Do you feel the education system isn’t serving young people, educators, or families as well as it might?

Do you feel frustrated that many people seem to want "business as usual" when the evidence is mounting that our education system causes harm to children, young people and educators alike?

Do you believe it’s possible to reconfigure our system to prioritise human thriving?

You’re not alone.

Everybody Thriving is a one-day gathering for people who care deeply about education – teachers, leaders, support staff, health professionals, young people, parents, carers, and policymakers – to come together and ask: what can we do, where we are, to promote wellbeing and a love of learning?

This will be an 'unconference'. There will be no powerpoints, no panels, no lectures. Just real people sharing what already works - and generating practical ideas for change.

Together, we’ll share positive case stories, imagine what thriving could look like at every level, and leave with concrete actions to take forward – individually and collectively.

Whether you're already doing something inspiring, or simply looking for renewed energy, ideas and community – come and find your tribe.

We don’t need to wait for permission to act. We are the system. And change starts with us.

So let’s gather. Let’s share. And let’s build something better - together.

#wearethesystem

What will the day involve?

We’re aiming to bring together around 150 people, with a select, committed group joining us remotely. There will be no parallel sessions - instead, everybody will be together for the whole day, with lots of group discussions and easy mingling. The day will be structured around 5 sessions:

1. Start with the end in mind: What does a thriving educational ecosystem look, sound and feel like…?

2. Understand barriers: What are the factors that prevent people from thriving?

3. Reclaim our power: What’s already within our control? Case stories and human library

4. Share, digest: What surprised you? What delighted you? What do you now wonder?

5. Take action: What are we going to do as individuals based on what we’ve heard today?

The day is also designed to boost the wellbeing of all in attendance through music, food, and serious silliness. And all attendees of the face-to-face event will receive a free copy of A Curriculum of Hope by Dr Debra Kidd, courtesy of Crown House Publishing!

Can I join remotely?

Yes you can! And you can pay-what-you-can-afford.

Will the online event be recorded?

No it won't - we want people to feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings openly, without worrying about where a recording might end up.

Are there hardship places available?

Yes - there are a limited number of pay-what-you-can-afford hardship tickets available.

Are refreshments and a lovely lunch included?

Indeed they are, at the face-to-face event. We hear there may even be an ice-cream van.

Travel arrangements?

By car - there is free parking.

By bus - the 36/37/38 services go from Manchester city centre straight past the school.

By train - it’s a 10 min walk from Moorside station, which is 17 mins from Manchester Victoria.

Will we decamp to a local hostelry to set the world to rights afterwards?

Indeed we shall.

Will attending this event fill my mind with inspiration, my heart with love and my hands with practical strategies for boosting wellbeing as we navigate this mysterious existence together?

Friends, this much is guaranteed.