A University of Derby Partnership Event
On international Human Rights Day, join the conversation as we explore the world of Oliver Twist comparing it to today’s realities, highlighting the enduring nature of systemic social injustice and child vulnerability.
Some people say Dickens was inspired to write Oliver Twist after reading a pamphlet charting the life of orphan Robert Blincoe who worked in Litton Mill, Derbyshire. This journal revealed the sheer horror of a child’s existence and the cruelty he faced.
Today we condemn the Victorian workhouse system, which treated the poor as a collective mass and often blamed them for their circumstances, but in 2025 a third of children in the UK are living in poverty and in Derby, it’s even higher. What is the reality for these young people today and what do we need to do differently? How do we support children in our community to go beyond survival? We explore some of the challenges and solutions that Derby is finding to promise every child the chance to feel safe in our city and to thrive.
As part of the event there will also be an opportunity to contribute to the development of Derby’s Public Realm Strategy through interactive maps on display.
Sarah Brigham (Artistic Director and CEO, Derby Theatre and Director of Oliver Twist) said: “Oliver Twist is a story of resilience and the human spirit. It’s about a child finding his place in a harsh world and about how a community shapes a child’s life chances for the better and for the worse. It feels especially relevant to be showing this production at Christmas time when disparity of wealth is abundantly clear to all and especially children. I am proud that at Derby Theatre we are doing what we can in our own small way to support young people in need and to be bringing this conversation to the forefront of local discussion in Derby.”
Dr Rhiannon Jones (Head of Civic, University of Derby) said: “Social mobility challenges for young people includes unequal access to resources, such as technology and suitable study spaces, and barriers to opportunities, like extracurricular activities and higher education. Additionally, there are significant hurdles related to mental health, housing and food poverty with lower socio-economic groups often experiencing more anxiety and low self-esteem, and a lack of employment opportunities, which disproportionately affects those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This discussion will look at practical ways the city of Derby is facing these challenges today.”
The panel, chaired by CivicLAB™, has invited experts to examine the way during a time of immense social mobility challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.
Introduction by Sarah Brigham (CEO and AD, Derby Theatre and Director of Oliver Twist).
Panellists include:
- Sarah Brigham (CEO and AD of Derby Theatre and Director of Oliver Twist)
- Baasit Saddiqui (Speaker, Educator, Entrepreneur and TV personality, best know from Channel 4’s Gogglebox)
- Professor Alessio D’Angelo (Professor of Public and Social Policy, University of Derby)
- Gillian Sewell (CEO of YMCA and Founder of the Lewis Sewell Foundation)
- Bethan Wakefield (Future Creative in the CANVAS project, led by Derby’s Cultural Education Partnership)
