ConnectFutures

A Response to the August 2024 Violent Riots from ConnectFutures. ?? https://lnkd.in/eMk5sFwR

???????? Our colleagues Malik Harrison and Savannah H. attended the 2nd annual UK-Germany Counter Terrorism & Counter Violent Extremism (CT/CVE) Conference at the British Embassy in #Berlin. ?? They had the opportunity to connect with policymakers, law enforcement officers, and fellow practitioners working in CT/CVE across the UK and Germany- from Bremen to Luton. ?? The conference was a valuable space to discuss emerging trends, share insights, and exchange best practices on reducing risk and addressing ideological threats. ?? They also shared key findings from our work at ConnectFutures, highlighting the concerns raised by the young people we engage with and the challenges adults working with youth are facing on the ground. And of course, they couldn’t miss the chance to see how an authentic German market compares to Birmingham’s own! ???? Overall this was a fantastic opportunity to learn, collaborate, and strengthen international approaches to countering violent extremism. ?? Click here to learn more about your programs for youth: https://buff.ly/y2DIPuH #CounterTerrorism #CounterExtremism #Policy #UKGermany #Collaboration #ConnectFutures

?? The rise of toxic online narratives is shaping the views of young men across the world. How can educators, parents, and professionals step in early to counter harmful ideologies? ?? "It’s far easier to intervene early than it is to offer an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff." – Charlotte Forster, our Associate Facilitator, shares a powerful perspective from her experience in New Zealand classrooms. This captures the blog’s core message about the importance of proactive intervention in countering online misogyny. ?? The manosphere is influencing young minds—how can we challenge harmful narratives before they take root? ?? Educators and parents play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking and resilience against online extremism. ?? Discover practical strategies to engage young men in meaningful conversations and positive role modeling. ?? Read the full blog here: https://buff.ly/3D8Uo3c

??Breakout rooms aren’t just a feature—they’re where the real learning happens. ?? When professionals step away from passive listening and into interactive discussions, that’s when ideas click. That’s when experiences get shared. That’s when learning actually sticks. ??That’s exactly why we design our Neurodiversity in the Workplace workshops to be engaging, immersive, and conversation-driven. And it makes a difference. ??We love hearing that our participants, like Luke from Balance Care, appreciate our approach to making learning practical, engaging, and rooted in real-world scenarios. ?? Ready to bring this kind of experience to your team? Click here to learn more: https://buff.ly/45vRSNZ

?? Creating a truly inclusive workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer. But too often, neurodivergent employees face barriers that prevent them from thriving. So, how can managers step up? Our Neurodiversity Inclusion in the Workplace for Managers workshop is designed to help leaders: ?? Understand how neurodivergence (dyslexia, autism, ADHD, etc.) impacts work experiences. ?? Improve workplace support systems for neurodivergent colleagues. ??? Explore the language of neurodiversity & why it matters. ? Gain practical, tailored steps to foster inclusion. ?? Develop confidence in supporting diverse workplace needs. ?? Apply best practices in policy, operations, and ED&I strategies. Inclusive teams = stronger teams. ?? Learn more about the workshop here:: https://buff.ly/3KwXE8z

?? Round 2: Our #Neurodiversity and Inclusion Lead, Alistair Barfield, recently returned to ABP UK in Solihull to deliver our NEURODIVERSITY | CREATING INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS workshop! ?? This interactive session helps colleagues understand and support individuals with #dyslexia, #autism, #ADHD, and other spectrum conditions. Designed specifically for organisations, it provides practical strategies to foster #neuroinclusivity in the workplace. ?? What participants gain: ? A deeper understanding of what ‘neurodiversity’ means—and why the language we use matters. ? Practical steps to create a more inclusive work environment. ? Greater confidence in recognising and responding to different neurodivergent needs. ?? Whether you need a quick, insightful session over lunch or an in-depth workshop as part of your team-building activities, we customise our content to fit your organisation’s goals. cc Michael Paul Stephens Carys Evans #neurodiversity #workplace ?? Learn more about the workshop here: https://buff.ly/4ayNzDD

?? 65% of managers say they don’t know enough about neurodiversity, and 30% don’t believe that workplace adjustments actually work (Birkbeck's Research Centre for Neurodiversity at Work ). This highlights a major challenge: employees don’t feel safe enough to disclose their needs, but without disclosure, managers struggle to offer the right support. We can break this cycle by: ?? Educating managers on neurodiversity in the workplace ?? Building trust so employees feel safe to disclose ?? Ensuring reasonable adjustments are not just available but effective Understanding neurodiversity isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s about real inclusion that benefits everyone. That’s why we support managers in recognising different forms of neurodiversity and applying practical steps and best practices that work for their teams. How is your organization making workplace inclusion a reality? ?? Click here to learn more about NEURODIVERSITY | INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE FOR MANAGERS: https://buff.ly/3KwXE8z

?? Haven’t had a chance to check out our latest blog yet? ?? Let’s?unpack?Charlotte Forster’s insights in?“Countering the Manosphere: Supporting Young Men Against Toxic Online Narratives – A New Zealand Teacher’s Perspective.” ?? Misogynistic online communities are spreading fast, seeping into student conversations—even among those who are usually critical thinkers. ? The concern? ?? These toxic ideologies risk becoming normalised, shaping attitudes both inside and outside the classroom. ?? Research highlights schools as critical spaces for challenging and disrupting misogynistic radicalisation. ?So, how can educators take action? ?? Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dkU2AmdE Please like and share with your network: Isabella Pirlogea Sadia Hussain-Savuk Pedro Concei??o Ilaria Mariotti Zhaoxi Meng Joana Santos Silva Andrew Crabtree John Marrett Balbir Sohal Syed Naqui Viv Brosnahan Lorna Ponambalum BSc PGCE Charlotte Hetherington MSc MBA FCMI

?? We love hearing the impact our workshops have—like Sandra, a dedicated #socialworker, putting her learning into action! ?? Our workshops are just the start. While time is limited, we provide ongoing resources to help professionals deepen their understanding and apply practical solutions in their work. ???We offer a range of workshops for professionals, blending academic expertise, real-world experience, and community insights to promote equality and challenge hate. More than just discussion, we focus on actionable strategies that create real change. ?? Click here to learn more about our professionals workshop: https://lnkd.in/esQ-vDZF Please like and share with your network: Chamila Liyanage Sallie Allen Assoc CIPD Vinathe Sharma-Brymer Gabriel Khili Edit Schlaffer Tereza Balikova Jacob Bannerman Thafar Maaitah, Ph.D, MSyI,F.ISRM, F.SPA @ Andrew Stopps Sofia Mahmood MBE Bomki Aimé Abeda Mulla

?? We’ve started on Media Literacy in East #Birmingham …A huge thank you to Asha Rage /Director of Dream Chasers Youth Club for giving Malik Harrison the opportunity to speak with parents about the importance of #onlinesafety, tackling #misinformation, and helping #youngpeople navigate the digital world with confidence. ?? It’s not always easy for parents to keep up with the online world, but having the right tools and conversations can make a huge difference. This workshop was made possible by Ofcom aims to make sure that children, young people, and their parents have the essential skills they need to navigate content safely and flourish online. ?? Click here to find out more about our workshops for communities: https://lnkd.in/esQ-vDZF Please like and share with your network: Nettes (Netz) Derbyshire Louise Bourne Shirley-anne Bimpong Jade Amah Kraig Gaynor (BA Hons, MSc, Lvl 7 CMI) Rami Tekle Dylan Wright Yasin Erkul Amanda Gurruchaga Monika Shifotoka Matteo Bergamini MBE Mala Mathew Fay Lant Pauline Roche Claire Levens Tim Bidey Waqar Ahmed MBE Tara Verrell Raj Mack