Free Spirits Live 2026: A One-Day Virtual Conference for People Who Help Others Learn

If your work involves helping people learn, grow, think differently, or do their work better, this one’s for you.

On March 4, 2026, Free Spirits Live returns as a full-day virtual conference (9:30am–4pm) bringing together coaches, trainers, facilitators, consultants, and educators from around the world. It’s an online event designed for people who care deeply about learning, but don’t necessarily see themselves as “traditional L&D”.

Because not all learning happens in corporate training rooms.

Free Spirits Live 4 March 2026

Free Spirits Live is back for a second year. The conference is all about real-world practice. It’s for people who design workshops, run programmes, coach individuals, lead teams, build communities, and facilitate meaningful change. People who want to sharpen their skills, refresh their thinking, and connect with others doing similar work – without the buzzwords, hierarchy, or corporate fluff.

Founded By Freelance Trainer Kim Ellis

The event is curated by the queen L&D Free Spirits Kim Ellis. ChatGPT describes her as:

“Kim is a straight-talking Yorkshire force of nature who helps L&D freelancers build brilliant businesses without the fluff, the faff, or losing their sense of fun.”

She has a has a real talent for bringing together generous, thoughtful speakers who actually do the work. Expect a mix of practical sessions, reflective conversations, and ideas you can take straight back into your own practice.

My Canva Skills Lab

I’m delighted to be part of the 2026 lineup, delivering another fast, fun, and practical Canva session. The topic will be voted on by the delegates in the Slack Community.

My focus will be on helping people who teach, coach, and facilitate communicate more clearly and confidently through visuals – without spending hours faffing or feeling like they need to be designers.

Canva can be a powerful tool for learning professionals, but only if it feels accessible and supportive rather than overwhelming. That’s where I come in.

What I Love About Free Spirits

What I really love about Free Spirits Live is the tone. It’s professional, but human. Thoughtful, but not heavy. There’s space for curiosity, experimentation, and honest conversation about what it’s really like to work in learning and development-adjacent roles in today’s world.

The conference runs entirely online, so you can join from anywhere. No travel, no logistics headaches — just a day set aside to focus on your own development and connect with like-minded people.

Cost, Logistics and Details 

If you’re a coach, trainer, facilitator, consultant, or educator who:

• helps others learn for a living

• wants fresh ideas without corporate jargon

• enjoys practical sessions you can actually use

• values community and shared experience

then Free Spirits Live is well worth your time.

Tickets are £100 for the full day, (£25 for Free Spirits Members*) which is exceptional value for the quality of speakers, ideas, and connection on offer.

4 March 2026 from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (UK Time).

Takes place on Zoom

Please note: You don’t need to label yourself as “L&D” to belong here. If learning is part of your work, you’ll be in good company. Everyone is welcome!

Hello, if we’ve not met

I’m Thea Newcomb, Scotland’s first Canva Verified Expert and trainer. I work with businesses owners and individuals, teams to help them use Canva more confidently, with less swearing, saving time and money.

I’m especially interested in how visuals support learning, communication, and clarity, without requiring design skills or hours of faffing. My sessions are practical, friendly, and focused on helping people actually use what they learn.

I was delighted to be part of the first Free Spirits Live conference last year, where my Canva session turned out to be one of the most well-attended on the day. I’m really looking forward to returning for the 2026 event.

NOTE: For Free Spirit members, I now delivery Canva Clinics each month and I offer 90 minutes for the price of 60 in their members only L&D insider deals.