Derby to hold culture cares conference

Published: 16 May 2025
Reporter: Steve Orme

Championing change: Fatima Whitbread

Olympian Fatima Whitbread will speak on why it is important for people in the arts and the care system to work more closely together when Derby Theatre hosts its third Culture Cares conference.

Former javelin world record holder Whitbread, who spent her first 14 years living in institutions before being adopted, said, “the care system can feel institutional, often reactive rather than empowering. The arts offer a completely different environment: imaginative, expressive and transformative. Bringing these worlds together helps make sure care-experienced young people aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving.”

Caroline Barth, creative learning director at Derby Theatre, added, “no matter what sector you come from the day will be inspiring, informative and packed with great ideas We’re all responsible for supporting care-experienced young people, so this conference will bring amazing people together to make change happen.”

The conference will be held on Wednesday 2 July from 10AM until 5PM. Further details are available at the Derby Theatre web site.

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