Imagining Our Working Lives

Experience creative, hands-on activities such as life-mapping, object interviews, and postcards to the future, designed to help you reflect on your own working life and aspirations.

Hear original research findings from projects exploring the life-course and work in Greater Manchester and Northern England.

Connect with others from diverse backgrounds and working experiences, and discover common challenges and opportunities in navigating work and life.

Gain new tools for personal and professional development—whether you’re an individual, a careers advisor, a social enterprise leader, or a policy officer.

Being creative and reflective is not always possible in our busy lives. This workshop will highlight the value of creativity in research methods and approaches to understanding the life-course. We are especially interested in the role of work in people's everyday lives—how it shapes relationships, finances, health and more, and how these are all interconnected. In the session we will explore these themes using creative participatory methods, and we will share some of our emerging findings from ongoing research. The event will offer space for reflection and listening, revealing common threads while helping people to better understand the differences in how others navigate the intersections of life and work.

Dr Amy Barron and Professor Sarah Marie Hall, University of Manchester

Adults (18+)

This event is for adults in Greater Manchester and Northern England who want to reflect on the role of work in their lives, including:

• People with varied working lives—full-time, part-time, flexible, retired, or in transition.
• Careers advisors, employability coordinators, and those supporting others in work and life transitions.
• Social enterprise leaders, policy officers, and community partners interested in the intersections of work, wellbeing, and social change.
• Anyone interested in creative reflection, personal development, or community storytelling.

Places are limited (20 attendees). Register now to secure your spot and join a creative, supportive community exploring the intersections of life and work.