About this Event
MEaP are leading a cultural competence and anti-oppressive practice programme on behalf of Young Manchester. The programme will combine practical training, reflective discussion and action learning, with an emphasis on applying learning directly to youth work practice and organisational development.
There are 4 sessions in this programme. Ideally, attendees will commit to all 4 sessions, but where that’s not possible, please send a colleague in your absence. The dates of the sessions are: 26th November 2026, 13th January 2027, 17th February 2027, and 17th March 2027, with each session being held in person, 9am-12pm at the Sister-Renold Building. Please sign up to all 4 sessions on Eventbrite.
Session 1 - Cultural Competence Foundations (9am-12pm; 26th November 2026):
This first session gets everyone on the same page and builds a group where people feel safe to be honest. We look at what culture and identity actually mean day to day, unpack the assumptions and stereotypes we all carry, and talk openly about the mix of communities young people in Manchester come from. It is less about having the “right” answers and more about staying curious, self-aware and willing to keep learning what we call cultural humility. You will leave having taken stock of where you are now and set a couple of personal goals for the rest of the programme.
Session 2 - Bias, Power and Anti-Oppressive Practice (9am-12pm; 13th January 2027):
This session gets into the harder stuff: the biases we do not always notice, how power and privilege play out in youth work, and how racism and discrimination show up from obvious incidents to the small comments and “jokes” (microaggressions) that wear young people down. We practise how to step in and challenge harmful language or unfair treatment in the moment, without freezing or making it worse. You will go away with a practical plan for spotting and interrupting bias in your own setting.
Session 3 - Culturally Responsive Youth Work (9am-12pm; 17th February 2027):
Here we turn all of this into everyday practice. We look at how to communicate and build trust across cultures, how to work well with parents, carers and whole communities, and how to make sure your activities, sessions and safeguarding genuinely work for every young person, not just the ones who fit the default. You will review one part of your current practice and think about who might be getting missed and what small changes would make a difference.
Session 4 - Action Learning and Embedding Change (9am-12pm; 17th March 2027): The final session is about making the learning stick. In a supportive group we talk through real cases and the things that get in the way of change: time, money, organisational culture and policies. Everyone leaves with a clear, realistic action plan for themselves and their organisation, plus the chance to learn from what is working for others. We also capture what has changed since the first session.
Event venue & nearby stays
Sister-Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.