I had the privilege of attending the New Organising Conference (NOC 2025) at Liverpool Hope University as Deputy Head of the Highfields Centre, earlier this month. The conference brought together organisers, campaigners and community leaders from across the UK to share ideas, experiences and strategies for building stronger and fairer communities.
At Highfields Centre, our work is rooted in supporting young people, migrant communities and low-paid workers. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to both learn from others and contribute to national conversations around the issues that matter to our communities here in Leicester.
One of the highlights of the conference was leading a session on wage theft, in collaboration with GM Law Centre, the Work Rights Centre and Workplace Justice. We discussed how wage theft continues to impact workers in industries such as hospitality, care and manufacturing. I also shared the work of the Fashion Advice Bureau Leicester, a grassroot project built to support garment workers who experience exploitation and underpayment. Their work plays a vital role in helping workers access advice, understand their rights and take action against their employers.
Another key session focused on climate change, where we explored how to build greener workplaces, cities and communities. This conversation was particularly relevant for urban centres like Leicester, where environmental challenges often overlap with housing inequality, poor working conditions and public health issues. It was encouraging to hear how organisers across the country are beginning to place climate justice at the heart of their community work.
We were also proud to be joined at the conference by one of our young volunteers, Aaisha – A former T_level placement student, now a Politics undergraduate student preparing to enter her second year. Their participation was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. It was clear how valuable this opportunity was for their personal and academic development.
One session that stood out for both of us was a listening and sharing circle led by experienced community organisers. The group tackled the question, ‘What is the elephant in the room in your organising?’ The discussion highlighted how diversity is often superficial, especially at leadership level, where boards and senior roles still lack true representation. There were also honest reflections on the gendered challenges that women face in activism and organising spaces. These are important conversations that we need to continue having within our own organisations and networks.
Attending NOC 2025 was not only informative, but also a timely reminder of the importance of intergenerational organising. It reinforced our belief that young people are not just future leaders, but active contributors in shaping the present. At Highfields, we are proud to create opportunities for young people to learn, lead and grow, and we are committed to ensuring their voices are embedded in everything we do. This experience has strengthened our resolve to continue building alliances, supporting grassroots action and standing in solidarity with all those fighting for justice across the UK.
