University joins with partners for event focused on young people’s futures
Senior figures from the University of Chester will be part of a major conference looking at how partners across the region can work together in new ways to help young people move into further education, training and employment after school.
Professor Sue O’Brien and Dr Emma Arya-Manesh from the University will be among the speakers and panellists at the Where Possible Happens 2026 conference, organised by the Petty Pool Trust.
Young people, educators, employers, and representatives from public services, local authorities and community organisations will gather at Chester Racecourse for the event, which the University is also sponsoring, on Thursday October 15.
The conference will focus on Leading the Region’s Response to the National NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Crisis. Delegates will discuss what can be done differently and together to create better routes into education, training and employment for young people across the region, particularly those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and additional needs.
Throughout the day, they will hear directly from young people about their experiences and the barriers they have faced, while the wider programme brings together voices from across the region, including: Oly Newton, Founder of LightsOnXP; Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo; Stuart Manifould, CEO of The Dome Youth Zone; Lisa Edge, Founder and CEO of GB Shared; Joshua Robhes, Director of Operations at WeMindTheGap; Suzie Henderson, Creative Director of Storyhouse; Eve Harrison, Influencer and Founder of Let's Make a Difference, and Keren Coney, Senior Lecturer in Career Development at the University of Derby.
Professor Sue O’Brien, Head of the School of Education at the University of Chester, will chair a panel exploring Prevention Starts Early: Keeping Young People Connected to Education. Dr Emma Arya-Manesh, Senior Researcher at the University of Chester and Co-Director of the Centre for Research into Education, Creativity and Arts through Practice (RECAP), will join Sue on the panel.
Professor O’Brien said: “We’re proud to be a sponsor of the conference, and to be leading discussions on the day, as part of our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and support for children and young people across our region and beyond.”
She added: “I’m looking forward to chairing the Prevention Starts Early panel where we’ll explore what early intervention and opportunity really looks like, how we recognise when and why young people are beginning to disengage, and what needs to happen to help them stay motivated and connected to education, training and their future possibilities.”
The University Careers and Employability Service is funding seven student places at the conference, ensuring students can contribute their voices and perspectives to the discussions.
Angie Standish, Head of Careers and Employability at the University said: “Supporting our students to be part of these conversations is incredibly important to us. Their recent experiences of UK education bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights. The students who joined us last year made a strong contribution, sharing their experiences, ideas and passion for making a difference. We look forward to this year’s students helping to shape the discussions.”
For further information on the conference please visit: https://www.pettypool.org.uk/event/where-possible-happens-conference-2026/