Club Hub Event 2024 Keynote Speaker Announcement

We are delighted to announce our Club Hub Event 2024 Keynote Speaker, Laura Henry-Allain MBE. She Can’t Even Spell Down: Laura will share her personal and professional story of navigating, Inclusion, Racism, Belonging and Diversity.

Laura Henry-Allain MBE is an award-winning producer, educationalist, keynote speaker and consultant. She is the creator of the well-loved characters JoJo and Gran Gran, which is based on the wonderful relationship that she had with her own grandmother. The series was developed and produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family, and she is the associate producer.

Laura is the vice-president of the British Association for Early Childhood Education and a consultant for several well-known brands as well as children’s media, television and publishing. Her bestselling children’s book, My Skin, Your Skin, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu, explores race and racism, and empowers children to be the best versions of themselves. Laura’s new book, My Family, Your Family, illustrated by Giovana Medeiros, enables children to talk about relatives, love and belonging. Her voluntary work includes mentoring several young people and supporting the Grenfell Memorial Quilt team.

Laura began her career more than 35 years ago as an Early Years teacher and she has worked in the education, care and health sectors with children and their families, organisations and governments on a global level. In 2021, Laura received an MBE for Services to Education as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Nursery World Awards. Her “why” is to inspire families around the world so that they can develop loving,meaningful, and lasting relationships. Laura is the mother of two grown-up sons, one of whom is autistic. This is why she is able to speak from the heart so passionately on all issues relating to children, young people and their families, irrespective of the role that she works in. One of Laura’s key phrases is: ‘Keep on trying and keep on smiling!’

Laura will be joined by Caprice Fox for a Q&A discussion following the keynote.

Caprice Fox is a Black, queer cisgender woman and her pronouns are she/her. She has been a primary school educator in Bristol for the past six years and for the past two years has worked for an organisation, Black Mothers Matter UK, as a group facilitator and content creator as well as delivering EDI sessions for various organisations including the NHS.

She has set up a community hub called Beyond the Mix Families, a space for mixed heritage families to come together and connect, share and have fun.

In addition to this, she is an associate for Representation Matters, delivering EDI workshops to schools and various NHS trusts across the South West.

Alongside this, she runs a successful Instagram page and has worked with the likes of Tonies, M&S, Omio and the Positive Birth Company. She works passionately to support under-represented groups who do not see themselves in the classroom as well as supporting educators to have diverse and inclusive learning environments and ensuring they are being actively anti-racist in their practice!

Kate Paiano – Speaking about the unspoken: addressing systemic racism in the children’s activity sector and what to do next

There will also be a supporting optional workshop, hosted by Kate Paiano (Tiny Travels UK) “Speaking about the unspoken: addressing systemic racism in the children’s activity sector and what to do next”.

This workshop will help children’s activity leaders understand what racism looks like beyond intentional hurtful words. We will explore how systemic racism shapes our society including the way we run our clubs and learn practical tips on how we can create safer, more welcoming and inclusive spaces for all children, their parents and the communities we work in.

Club Hub Event 2024

The Club Hub Event 2024 will take place on Saturday 11th May 2024. 9:45am to 6pm at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Birmingham.

Tickets are £72 and can be booked online now. There will only be 150 tickets on general sale!

The event is designed to help you grow your children’s activity business through a choice of workshops, guest speakers and lots of networking opportunities. The ticket price includes a hot buffet lunch, snacks and drinks.

The award ceremony takes place at the end of the day and there is an evening social event, which can also be booked. Finalists are expected to attend the event and take part in the award ceremony. All finalists are presented with a certificate by their award sponsor and professional photographs will be taken

What do people say about our event?

“What a brilliant event!! Club Hub is not just a platform, it’s an incredible community!” Lea, CocoRio

“Really enjoyed the Club Hub Event 2023. Great atmosphere and met lots of like minded people who share the same passion for providing high quality children’s activities. Highly recommended” Nicola, Jigsaw Arts

“We thoroughly enjoyed our first Club Hub UK event… Tessa and her team were the most amazing hosts before, during and after the event. Thank you for your outstanding hospitality at your amazing event. We look forward to next year!” Pamela, Mula Cake Kids Club CIC