Rees Centre research officer delivers keynote at Oxfordshire Virtual School Conference
Rees Centre research officer Priya Tah attended the Oxfordshire Virtual School Conference on 27th June to give one of three keynotes delivered that day.
The conference theme was Nurturing a Strong Sense of Identity and Belonging in Care-experienced Children.
Priya shared information about research projects carried out at the Rees Centre to raise the profile amongst schools and local authority staff in attendance (including designated teachers and inclusion leads from Oxfordshire primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, Post-16 providers and providers of alternative education).
Care experienced young people from Youth Voice opened the event thinking about what impacts identity and belonging. The two other keynotes were given by Dr Lisa Cherry (previous Rees Centre PhD student), who gave a talk on Nurturing Belonging; and Professor Amanda Kirby who discussed Untangling Neurodiversity, Attachment and Trauma – Making Sense of Complexity.
Priya attended a workshop with the Mandala Theatre, which took a creative approach to supporting children and young people feel loved, proud and like they truly belong. Youth Voice provided the expertise in this workshop and later presented the work they had created to the room of delegates.
The day ended with a panel discussion with Lisa, Amanda and Priya and those in attendance were given the chance to take home one of a number of raffle prizes. It was a great end to an enjoyable and informative day, organised by Clare Pike and Laura East from Oxfordshire virtual school.
