Abingdon & Witney College proudly hosted its second annual ‘Together for Better Futures’ conference last month, building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event. This year’s two-day event welcomed nearly 100 attendees, including students, families, carers, professionals, and organisations from across Oxfordshire and beyond, all united in their commitment to improving the lives of adults with learning differences (ALD).

Organised by the College’s dedicated teaching team behind its acclaimed short courses for adults with learning differences, the conference served as a vital platform for collaboration, advocacy, and innovation in a sector facing increasing financial and systemic pressures.

“Services for people with additional learning needs are under great threat from funding cuts,” said Lee Humber, one of the event organisers. “This event is our response – to bring people together, to share, to learn, and to act.”

Empowering and supporting

The first day featured sessions focused on independence, wellbeing, and community safety. Speakers from organisations such as Yellow Submarine, Community Connect, Style Acre, Oxford Employment, Thames Valley Police, Oxford United in the Community, and South Central Ambulance Service shared insights and strategies for supporting adults with learning differences in living fulfilling, independent lives.

With a wide range of organisations hosting display tables and a wide range of service providers contributing to sessions and discussions, it was a inspiring and interactive day.

Campaigns and campaigning

The second day shifted focus to national advocacy, with presentations from Inclusion Barnet, My Life My Choice, and the National Unpaid Carers Union. Discussions explored the importance of campaigning, the challenges faced by the ALD community, and how collective action can drive meaningful change.

Key themes included:

• Raising community awareness about living with learning differences
• The need for regular multi-agency collaboration
• The College’s emerging role as a hub for information, training, and leadership in the sector

A growing movement

Lee Humber, one of the event’s organisers from Abingdon & Witney College, reflected on the success of the conference:

“It’s been a great success; I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to establish this conference as the one to attend, if you are involved in the ALD community in Oxfordshire.”

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the event’s inclusive atmosphere, practical insights, and opportunities for networking. The conference has not only grown in size and scope but is increasingly being recognised as a leading forum for shaping the future of ALD services both locally and nationally.

As the challenges facing adults with learning differences continue to evolve, ‘Together for Better Futures’ stands as a beacon of hope, collaboration, and action.