The event brings together freelancers, contractors, consultants and micro-business owners for a full day of practical insights, peer connection and business-building strategies – designed to help them thrive in self-employment.

With the freelance landscape evolving, the conference aims to offer something that many self-employed practitioners say they’re missing: visibility, connection and practical support that goes beyond the usual vague advice.

L&D Free Spirits Founder Kim Ellis, said: "When I first started out, I had to figure out a heck of a lot on my own – it was lonely, and I didn’t always know where to turn. Your network is everything when you’re self-employed, and that’s why I’ve created Free Spirits LIVE. It’s the kind of event I wish I’d had back then – bringing self-employed folk together like never before."

The main conference day runs on Zoom from 9:30am to 4:00pm BST, featuring keynotes, dedicated talks, interactive skills labs and themed breakout rooms. Delegates also get access to a“conference village” hosted on Slack from 22 September to 13 October – three weeks of ongoing community connection, reflection spaces, peer discussions and networking.

Free Spirits LIVE! is open to anyone working independently in the world of L&D, including freelancers, consultants, contractors and small business owners. It also supports those considering the leap into self-employment.