University of Chester will attend the 'Where Possible Happens 2026' conference
A university is taking part in a regional conference focused on helping young people take their next steps after leaving school.
By Chester Standard
The University of Chester will take part in the Where Possible Happens 2026 conference at Chester Racecourse on Thursday, 15 October.
Organised by the Petty Pool Trust, the event will examine ways to improve routes into further education, training and employment for young people after they leave school.
The conference will focus particularly on young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as those with additional needs. It will address the national number of young people not in education, employment or training.
The University of Chester is sponsoring the event, with senior leaders taking part in discussions during the day.
Professor Sue O’Brien, head of the university’s School of Education, will chair a panel titled “Prevention Starts Early: Keeping Young People Connected to Education”. The session will explore early intervention and preventing young people from becoming disconnected from education.
She will be joined by Dr Emma Arya-Manesh, a senior researcher at the university and co-director of its Centre for Research into Education, Creativity and Arts through Practice.
Professor O’Brien said the university was proud to support the conference and lead discussions as part of its work to create opportunities and support for children and young people.
The programme will also include speakers from across the region, alongside young people sharing their own experiences and challenges.
Contributors include Oly Newton, founder of LightsOnXP, Jamie Christon, chief executive of Chester Zoo, and Suzie Henderson, creative director at Storyhouse.
The University of Chester’s Careers and Employability Service is funding seven student places at the conference, allowing student perspectives to be included in the discussions.