Thrive Brunch 2026
Join parents, mentors, educators, professionals and young people for honest conversations before, during and beyond university, careers and life’s next chapter
Thrive Brunch 2026
Let’s Meet In Person
Welcome
Life’s biggest transitions often come with excitement, uncertainty and important decisions.
Whether a young person is preparing for college, university, an apprenticeship, higher education through another route or life beyond education, the right conversations can make all the difference.
Thrive Brunch 2026 brings together young people, parents, carers, mentors, educators and professionals for practical conversations that inspire confidence, build resilience and prepare the next generation to thrive.
This Year’s Theme
- BEFORE UNI: Preparing for the Transition.
- DURING UNI: Thriving Through the Journey.
- BEYOND UNI: Stepping Into What’s Next.
Together we’ll explore the opportunities, challenges and support needed at every stage of the journey.
Who Should Attend?
This event is for:
- Parents and carers
- Young people aged 11+
- College students
- University students
- Apprentices
- Recent graduates
- Mentors
- Educators
- Youth leaders
- Anyone passionate about helping the next generation thrive
What to Expect
✔ Inspiring guest speakers
✔ Interactive conversations
✔ Career mentoring
✔ Practical life insights
✔ Networking across generations
✔ Refreshments and brunch
✔ A welcoming community
Make It a Thrive Weekend!
Thursday 27 August
🎬 Movie Night & Meet & Mingle
Connect with speakers, volunteers, parents, mentors and young people before the main event.
Sunday 30 August
🎳 Bowling & Bonding
Celebrate the weekend with fun, laughter and meaningful connections.
About Your Thrive Haven
Helping People Thrive Through Life’s Transitions.
Your Thrive Haven exists to create opportunities that equip individuals, strengthen families and build thriving communities. Through conversations, learning experiences and meaningful connections, we help people navigate life’s defining transitions with confidence, purpose and hope.
Reserve Your Place
Places are limited to encourage meaningful conversations and interaction. We’d love to welcome you.
Meet the Thrive Brunch 2026 Panelists & Speakers
Before Uni. During Uni. Beyond Uni
Keji Shekete
Senior Business Analyst Industry: Banking Tech. International student who completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the UK and successfully navigated the journey from university into a thriving professional career in banking. Passionate about helping students make the most of their university experience and prepare confidently for life beyond graduation.
Deji Emmanuel
With over 25 years of experience in technology,,business leadership, and digital transformation. As CEO of Bluesky Citadel, he has led initiatives that equip young people with practical digital skills, industry mentorship, and pathways into employment. At the Thrive Brunch, he will share insights on life after university, exploring career growth, lifelong learning, and how young people can position themselves to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Pst Fola Omotunde
Founder & Principal Career Coach, Career Clinic Net: Fola is the Founder and Principal Career Coach at Career Clinic Net, with over 20 years of experience helping individuals navigate career transitions and unlock new opportunities. Alongside leading Career Clinic Net, she works as a Senior Transformation Consultant within the NHS and is passionate about equipping people with the clarity, confidence, and strategies needed to build fulfilling and successful careers.
At the Thrive Brunch, she will share practical guidance on transitioning from university into the workplace, building career confidence, navigating career changes, and positioning yourself for long-term professional success
Kemi Sodeke
A qualified accountant and experienced finance professional who is passionate about helping people make confident financial decisions. As a mother of two, she is intentionally raising financially aware children and enjoys equipping young people and families with practical money skills for every stage of life.
Sam Daramola
Technology Leader, Cybersecurity & AI Professional Industry Tech: A technology leader with expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and business analysis. Passionate about mentoring the next generation and helping young people make informed decisions about education, careers, and the future of work. As a father of three adult children, he brings valuable lived experience supporting young people from post-GCSE choices through university and into successful careers.
Fola Adekola
Fola Adekola is an Assistant Headteacher with over 20 years in education and school leadership, specialising in inclusion and transition planning. She has guided hundreds of young people and their families through pivotal school transitions — and lived it personally too, as a mother of two: a daughter now a Law graduate from UCL, and a son currently navigating his A-levels.
Fola is a former Director of Inclusion, holder of the National Award for SEN Coordination and currently completing a Doctorate in Education at UCL. She brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work, and is passionate about ensuring every young person, whatever their starting point, is equipped to move forward with confidence.
Patricia Emmanuel
Patricia is a technology and digital professional, mentor and community builder with over 20 years of professional experience. Her career began in education before evolving across technology, cybersecurity, leadership and people development. As the Visioneer behind Your Thrive Haven and Experience Curator of Thrive Brunch, she brings together people, perspectives and opportunities to create meaningful spaces that help young people and families navigate life’s transitions with greater clarity and confidence. Through Thrive Brunch, she creates experiences where people can Connect • Learn • Thrive’
Bayo Adesanya
Bayo is an accomplished business leader, strategist and transformation professional with over 20 years of experience across the UK and Africa. His career spans strategy, digital transformation, organisational performance and leadership, including senior executive experience and advisory work with organisations navigating growth and change. As CEO of A3O Ltd, Bayo works with leaders and organisations to turn vision into strategy, strengthen performance and deliver meaningful transformation. At the Thrive Brunch, he will facilitate the Before Uni, During Uni and After Uni panel discussions, helping to draw out the lived experiences, perspectives and practical insights of our panellists for young people and families.
Bukola Babalola
Bukola Babalola – is a healthcare & wellbeing leader, entrepreneur and people-focused professional with experience spanning nursing, care management and team leadership in the UK. She currently serves as an Acting Home Manager, where she brings together compassion, organisation and a strong commitment to supporting both people and teams. Beyond her professional career, She is passionate about hospitality, mentoring and creating environments where people feel welcomed, valued and cared for. She also enjoys cooking, fashion and bringing warmth and joy wherever she serves. At the Thrive Brunch, she leads our Hospitality Experience, helping to create the warm, thoughtful and welcoming atmosphere that makes every guest feel at home.
Eniola Salaudeen
Eniola is passionate about helping young people use AI and digital tools to learn new skills, create content, and explore freelance opportunities.
At Thrive Brunch 2026, Eniola will share practical ways to use AI for content creation, freelancing, and personal growth.
Toyyib Adewale Adelodun
Toyyib Adelodun is a career coach, mentor and speaker who helps young people and professionals navigate career decisions, build confidence, communicate their value and access global opportunities.
With a career spanning construction, engineering, project management and digital marketing, Toyyib brings a unique blend of lived experience, cross-industry perspective and practical career insights.
His work in early careers includes collaborating with Deloitte on programmes supporting young people to explore career pathways, apprenticeships and opportunities within professional services.Toyyib has built a community of over 1.9 million people across digital platforms, where he shares practical guidance on careers, education, communication, resilience, visibility and social mobility, helping people better understand their options and position themselves for opportunity.
One day. One table.
A space where wisdom creates opportunities. Let’s help our next generations walk into Uni strong, anchored, and supported.
