VOT Community Conferences CIC
About this event
LET’S TALK. LET’S LEARN. LET’S CHANGE.
Join national award-winning social work educator, social justice advocate and author Vivian Okeze–Tirado and the community for the 3rd annual community anti-racism conference in Horsham. The conference is brought to you by Community Conferences CIC, a not-for-profit. A powerful and reflective conference designed to support participants in strengthening their knowledge, confidence and practical skills in anti-racist practice.
This is the 3rd annual in-person anti-racism conference to mark UK Black History Month. Bringing diverse individuals and professionals together for a full-day inclusive learning event.
Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026. 11am – 4pm.
Venue – Roffey Millennium Hall, RH12 4DT, Horsham, West Sussex. (20mins walk from Horsham Train Station)
Who is this conference for?
The conference is for members of the community, individuals, people-facing professionals – social workers, health and social care staff, teachers, etc. who are enthusiastic about race equity and curious or eager to acquire knowledge and skills on how to be anti-racist.
Why attend?
This event will equip you with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen your anti-racist practice, navigate challenging conversations with greater confidence, and become an active part of the solution. You will have the opportunity to connect with a growing network of individuals and professionals committed to advancing race equity and inclusion, while taking an important step towards becoming a Race Equality Ambassador. Last year’s conference welcomed more than 80 delegates from across Southeast England, bringing together people from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds. The event received excellent feedback and was featured in a centre-page article in the West Sussex County Times. Ten delegates were presented with medals of recognition as Race Equality Ambassadors for their commitment to advancing race equity, with further awards to be presented this year. Professionals may use attendance as part of their continuing professional development (CPD).
What to expect?
- A full-day learning event hosted by Vivian Okeze–Tirado, a nationally recognised Social Work Leader, Author, EDI, Anti-racism Trainer and Consultant.
- A reflective workshop on anti-racist practice, case studies and discussions
- Professionals will be sharing their stories to educate you.
- Join the network of people building Inclusive, safer, and cohesive communities.
- A network promoting the reclaiming of our shared humanity. Humanity First.
- CPD – Learning – Reflection – Networking – Refreshment
Come! Let us talk, learn, and bring change!
Let us rise by lifting each other; there is room for all.
Who are we?
Vivian Okeze – Tirado is a national award-winning social work educator, social justice advocate, author, and keynote speaker. She is the founder of VOT Training and Consultancy and VOT Community Conferences CIC, a not-for-profit company. Vivian is an innovative leader and changemaker whose mission is to champion cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence towards fairer, more inclusive workplaces and communities. Since September 2023, she has trained over 3,000 social work, social care and people-facing professionals across England, working with local authorities, private organisations and national bodies. She is a passionate, inspiring and energetic keynote speaker who has delivered addresses on prominent national platforms.
VOT Community Conferences is a not-for-profit CIC based in Horsham, founded by Vivian Okeze-Tirado. The CIC has a dedicated community of volunteers who are keen to drive the vision forward as advocates, facilitators, speakers and educators with lived experience and professional expertise. We welcome partnerships with schools, police, NHS, local authorities, faith organisations and community groups etc. We also welcome funding to help us promote this great initiative and scale our educational programmes across communities in England.
Mission – To deliver meaningful and accessible educational workshops and conferences in humanity, inclusion, social justice, and anti-racism across communities to promote safer, more inclusive and cohesive communities.
Building Inclusive – Safer – Cohesive – Communities.
Why: This work feels especially urgent given the growing levels of hate, division, and misinformation affecting our society today.
Vision: A humanitarian society that is fair, inclusive, safer and more cohesive, where every individual is seen, heard, and valued.
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 and passion, we inspire a kinder world” – Vivian Okeze – Tirado.
Registration: All tickets are free. Do not miss this unique opportunity. Tea, coffee, and lunch refreshments will be provided. Register and obtain your ticket as soon as possible.
Venue – Roffey Millennium Hall RH12 4DT, Horsham, West Sussex.
(20mins walk from Horsham Train Station).
For more information, contact: learn@vottraining.co.uk
Website: https://vottraining.co.uk/
See the link to the newspaper article here, which showed great feedback from last year.: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/community/opinion-community-anti-racism-conference-in-horsham-unites-voices-for-change-5356607