I was given the amazing opportunity to attend the New Organising Conference (NOC 2025) at Liverpool Hope University both as a volunteer for the Highfields Centre and as a student about to start my second year studying Politics. The opportunity to attend the conference excited me as it was led by organisers fighting for the community and migrant workers across the UK, this included Au pairs and workers on seasonal Visas. As a student this was a great eye opener into the real world and was a fantastic way to build ideas for my undergraduate dissertation.
During the three day Conference, I had the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions each with a different focus. They were the perfect opportunity to help me understand the struggles of migrant workers and the concerns around our current political climate.
I attended a session with a focus on how workers on seasonal visas face exploitation, the session was led by a PHD student and Members from the Worker Support Centre. It was interesting to hear about their real-life experiences and what finally pushed them to start fighting for workers’ rights. It was particularly interesting to learn about the parties involved and how many are victims of the exploitation.
Another session I attended was a listening and sharing circle led by community organisers. This was an amazing opportunity to listen to those who have been activist and organising for years and taught me what it means to be an activist and fight for the rights for our community and the struggles they face along the way. The discussion circle had a focus on the question ‘what is an elephant in the room in your organising?’ One particular point mentioned that stuck with me was how diversity is often there for show, for employees rather than those that represent the company such as the board of directors rarely represent any diversity. They also talked about how women have had to struggle to pave the way in a way that men have not. This session was truly beneficial and gave me a great insight into the reality of organising.
As part of representing the Highfields Centre, I helped with a session focused on wage theft and how it hurts workers and their families. We collaborated with GM Law Centre, the Work Rights Centre, and Workplace Justice. We discussed the different types of wage theft, like in the garment industry and hospitality. It gave me a much deeper insight into the reality for so many workers, especially migrant workers in those specific jobs.
Overall, my experience at NOC 2025, was a valuable experience and something I will look back on whilst I continue studying my degree. It connected the theories from my lectures to the real-world struggles of people in my community. I feel like I now have a much clearer purpose for my studies and a better understanding of the change I want to be a part of.
Written by: Aaisha Simjee
Year 2 Politics Student – Special interest – Feminism & Human Rights
Place of Study – University of Leicester
