The Link Centre Social Responsibility Conference

‘Belonging’ – Where did I come from and where am I going?

Join us for the second annual Link Centre Social Responsibility Conference on 12th July 2025. This year’s theme invites us to explore social responsibility through the lens of Belonging. Drawing on the rich knowledge and diverse experiences within our training cohort, we will come together for a day of thought-provoking discussions, workshops and community-building.

The day will open with an insightful panel discussion on the concept of Belonging followed by a range of interactive workshops led by trainees, tutors and guest speakers. .

Schedule:

• 08:45 – 09:10 Registration and light breakfast
• 09:10 – 09:30 Welcome and introductions by the Social Responsibility Committee Members
• 09:30 – 11:00 Panel discussion on Belonging with Will Daniel-Braham, Geoff Hoping and Nada Khader
• 11:00-11:30 Break
• 11:30 – 13:00 Workshop 1 
  • 1a: Understanding and working with neurodivergence in the therapy room with Gen Nugent and Dan Pearson
  • 1b: “Let’s Get Drunk and Be Somebody” Alcohol and Belonging with Katy Jones
  • 1c: “I was lost, then found, now I’m lost again…” – Understanding and supporting clients with Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) with Elyse Lake and Kayley Lawrence
  • 1d: How do we do Belonging? A Neuro Linguistic Programming workshop with Mel Yea
• 13:00-14:15 Lunch
• 14:15 – 15:45 Workshop 2
  • 2a: Empowering Change: Tackling systemic violence against women in clinical settings with Jazz Rehal and Althea Cribb
  • 2b: The importance of cultural competency in therapy with Carole Carter (they/them) and Michele Okuda (she/her)
  • 2c: ‘Belonging in Practice- co-creating kinship in relationship’–  with Maria St Hilaire
  • 2d: Sex and Belonging with Liz Beresford and Alan Wardle
• 15:45-16:15 Break
• 16:45-17:00 – Workshop 3 
  • 3a: Tai Chi/Qigong workshop with Robert Bowley
  • 3b: How does being a spiritually aware therapist enable greater ‘Belonging’? with Olivia Shone
  • 3c: Singing circle with Dr Rachel Hopping
  • 3d: The wisdom of oppression with Nada Khader
• 17:00-17:30 Closing remarks from the Social Responsibility Committee members

Further details on how to book into the workshops will be sent out by May.

What past attendees said about our 2024 Conference:

Cost: Earlybird tickets are £110 until 1st May 2025. All profits will be added to the Link Centre Learners’ Access Fund to support trainees through their training.

Venue: AgriFood Centre, Plumpton College, Wales Lane Farm, Plumpton, Sussex, BN7 3AE (Car park map)

Attendees: Should be qualified or trainee counsellors or psychotherapists.

Certificate: Attendees will receive a Link Centre Certificate of Attendance for 8.5 hours.

Catering: We will provide a light breakfast, lunch, afternoon cake and refreshments throughout the day. Dietary requirements will be accommodated where possible, and the menu options will be shared closer to the event.