Two-day Festival Pass

Festival of Optimism - Two-Day Festival Pass 

Through inspiring talks, practical workshops, exhibitions and hands-on local experiences, we're bringing together residents, organisers, creatives, social innovators, businesses, funders and policymakers to explore how we can build fairer, greener and more hopeful communities.

Across the three days, the Festival moves from inspiration to action to experience:

• Day 1: Ideas and Inspiration (Margate) showcases innovative ideas and practical examples through inspiring speakers, thematic sessions and participant-led conversations.

• Day 2: Insights into action (Ramsgate) helps people develop their own ideas further, overcome challenges and devise practical next steps for taking action.
• Day 3: Get involved takes the Festival out our communities through local tours, hands-on activities, creative and wellbeing experiences, before finishing with a shared celebration.
  

A delicious vegan and gluten free lunch is included, as well as ample networking opportunities.  Plus a free ticket to Optimissimo on Friday 2nd Oct at Margate Arts Club!

The Programme

Highlights from Thurs 1st and Fri 2nd Oct

HEAR FROM OUR KEY NOTE SPEAKERS:

Rob Hopkins on how to fall in love with the future: a time traveller’s guide to changing the world.

Clare Inkster and Sam Furness on the science of optimism.

DAY 1 - OPTIMISM IN ACTION - LIGHTNING TALKS:

Christian McGuire local venue owner and youth employment programmer for Behind The Bass, on how creative venues can give back to their communities, with Thriving Communities: the role of entertainment venues in a thriving economy. 

Daisy Norwood founder of Youth Climate & Community group, on climate action and connecting young people with nature, with Greener Futures: engaging the next generation and integrating their experiences.

Jemma Channing local artist also working at Arts Council England, with Healthier Lives: creativity as infrastructure for health and wellbeing, sharing the creative health work ACE have funded in Thanet and how its supporting people’s health. 

Amy Redmond founder of Margate Pride, with Kinder Communities: Margate Pride's 10 years of optimism. 

DAY 1 - THEMATIC LABS: 

On registration, you will be invited to choose which THEMATIC LAB you would like to join. 

1. Healthier Lives - Peace of mind: Talking therapies and mindfulness with older people. Hosted by Jemma Channing, with Vanessa Wood (Age UK), and Lorraine Williams (Mindful Thanet).

2. Kinder Communities - What can the power of collective action and care look like under a feminist lens? With Sarah Hutchinson (Beyond the Page), and Charlotte Fischer (Love and Power).

4. A Place to Call Home - Common ground: how creativity, land and collaboration can create social impact. Hosted by Dan Chilcott (Margate Creative Land Trust), with Beth Boorman (Community Land Trust Network), and Natasha Batorijs (Joy Land Urbanism).

5. Thriving Local Places - From neglected spaces to thriving places: how communities can lead local renewal. Hosted by Aleema Shivji, with Hazel Sheffield (journalist and author of Frontierlands), Victoria Williams (People Dem Collective), and Naomi Rubbra (Footwork Trust).

5. Thriving Local Places - Changing the story: local media as a force for good. With Anna Patton (journalist), Georgina Wilson-Powell (Don’t Miss Margate), David Floyd (Social Spider/Barnet Post), and Lila Allen (Ramsgate Recorder). 

DAY 2 - THEMATIC LABS: 

1. Healthier Lives - Better together: the power of partnership working in improving health and wellbeing.
Hosted by Katie Pope (Social Enterprise Kent), and Andrea Murphy (Active Kent and Medway). 

3. Greener Futures - Power in our hands: could community-owned energy create a fairer, greener Thanet? Hosted by Jessica Rose (Co-Relate), with Bridget Burrows (Kent Community Energy). 

6. Good Food for All - Food for thought: how to eat better amid rising costs and varying supplies. Hosted by Mariette Castellino with Sharon Goodyear (Good Food For All), and Jo Barker (Future Food Forests). 

THEMATIC LABS EXPLAINED

This is not another panel discussion.

Each two-hour Lab brings together local experience with ideas from further afield to spark conversation, connection and action.

You’ll help shape the discussion, explore how ideas could work locally and identify one practical next step.

• Healthier Lives – innovating approaches to health, wellbeing and social care
• Kinder Communities – celebrating people and organisations that strengthen communities
• Greener futures – showcasing practical environmental solutions
• Good Food for All – more resilient local food systems
• Thriving places – championing local economies where businesses and organisations work together
• A place to call home – new approaches to housing that create secure inclusive and sustainable communities

The two-day Festival Pass gives you:

• Full conference access: enjoy both days of our cornerstone conference, with talks, workshops and networking. Lunch provided both days.
• Selected fringe events: gain entry to selected fringe events, including 'The Margate We Dream Of' and the Optimissmo party at Margate Arts Club.

NB: Day 3 experiences are not included in the Pass, and must be booked seperately (due to differing capacity of participating partners)

About our pricing tiers:

Our Community tier is for those who would like to attend but have limited resources (e.g. students, freelancers, small community groups). No proof required. Normal price is £50. 

Our Standard Tier tickets are for anyone receiving support from their employer or who feel they can afford it. Normal price is £100.