Identity Matters: The SCiP Alliance Annual Conference 2023
Posted in Views by Katherine Lawrence
We were really delighted to welcome a sold-out audience of 100 allies in Birmingham for a day of learning and growth together, expertly chaired by Lizzie Rodulson, herself a Service child and current SCiP Alliance Board member. The day was a testament to the strength, diversity and collaborative spirit of the Alliance community and I feel proud to be able to offer this reflection before moving on to a new role in the new year.
Feedback highlights how delegates valued the carefully curated agenda, through which they explored the challenges and opportunities for children and young people in Armed Forces families and shared practical ideas and innovative approaches for supporting them to thrive in education and beyond. A highlight of the conference was the diversity of perspectives, with thoughtful input from young people with lived experience and from experts in various fields, providing delegates with the context in which to reflect on the multifaceted issues surrounding Service children's lives and education. Delegates enjoyed networking opportunities in interactive workshops and a lively panel discussion connecting professionals who share a common commitment to improving the educational outcomes and overall welfare of children and young people growing up in Armed Forces families.
As I reflect on the conference, I am inspired by the collective dedication and passion for addressing the unique needs of Service children. This year's SCiP Alliance conference not only served as a forum for knowledge exchange and a powerful mechanism for reflecting on how growing up in an Armed Forces family can shape identity, but also fostered a strengthened sense of community and cross-sector understanding among professionals from across the UK, through meaningful discussions, sharing collaborative initiatives and the free exchange of ideas.
The conference Delegate Brochure and Workshop Presentations are available to download here.
Leaving the Alliance I have helped to build over the past seven years on such a high note is a bittersweet moment in my own professional journey. As I leave in anticipation of interesting new challenges and personal and professional growth at the charity One Small Thing, I look forward to following the ongoing success and growth of the community of professionals that I feel very proud to have been part of.
