Conference Roundup: National Conference 2026, Nottingham
- Claire McManus
- May 5
- 4 min read
By Susan Arslan, UKATA National Conference Organiser
A conference gives us space to grow - learning new ideas, stretching perspectives and exchanging knowledge. It’s also a chance to reconnect, meet new people, and take time for reflection alongside the simple pleasures of good conversation, food, music, and rest. National Conference 2026 in Nottingham embodied all of this and more.
Held over the weekend of 24–26 April, the conference welcomed close to 280 delegates from across the UK and beyond. From the moment early arrivals joined pre-conference activities, there was a strong sense of openness, curiosity, and community.
Opening the Conference
Before the main programme began, delegates were able to take part in a range of pre-conference activities designed to ease people into the weekend. These included daily yoga sessions, a Truth Mandala, and a hosted Connections session, which was particularly helpful for those attending for the first time or coming on their own.
The conference was formally opened by UKATA Chair of Trustees, Sally Trevaskis, who welcomed attendees and hosted the keynote speaker for the day.
Keynotes: Challenging and Expanding Perspectives
This year’s keynote programme offered depth, challenge, and inspiration:
Jonathan Lake opened with Emerging from Emergency, inviting delegates to reflect on resilience and transformation in times of uncertainty.
Victoria Baskerville and Dr. Dwight Turner delivered a powerful and thought-provoking session on Decolonising Knowledge, Practice and Connecting Minds: An Intersectional Pathway, encouraging critical reflection on inclusivity and practice.
The Eco Collective closed the keynote series with Weaving the Threads: Ecological Knowledge, Practice and Connection, highlighting the relationship between ecological awareness and TA practice.
Together, these sessions created a rich thematic thread across the weekend, inking personal, social, and environmental awareness.
Workshops: Breadth, Depth, and Engagement
The heart of the conference lay in its workshops. With 47 workshop leaders delivering 32 sessions, delegates could choose from 80 hours of learning across a wide spectrum of topics.
Sessions ranged from clinical practice and supervision to organisational applications, personal development, and emerging areas of interest within transactional analysis. The diversity of material reflected both the evolving landscape of TA and the expertise within the community.
Behind the scenes, the Workshop Scientific Committee, led by Chdel Cooke, had played a crucial role in shaping this programme, reviewing submissions and ensuring both quality and variety of content was made available.
Recognising Achievement and Contribution
A highlight of the weekend was the UKATA Medals Ceremony, thoughtfully organised and hosted by Bev Gibbons (with great behind-the-scenes help from our Membership Officer, Nelli Poulou-Jensen). This year’s ceremony was expanded to include recognition of all exam successes since the 2025 conference, making it an especially inclusive and celebratory occasion.
Testimonials were read by nominators, adding a personal dimension to the awards, before welcoming this year’s medal recipients to the stage:
Jayakara Beverley Ellis
Lyn Hayward
Susie Hewitt
Sally Trevaskis
Nikky Worrall
In addition, achievements across CTA and TSTA exams, as well as EATA and IBOC qualifications and TA Diplomas, were acknowledged and celebrated.
Bev Gibbons and Adrienne Lee also used the occasion to highlight the importance of TSTA-qualified members stepping forward as examiners, supporting future candidates. In a moving moment, Bev was presented with a bouquet in recognition of her seven years of dedicated service as Local Exam Supervisor.
Association Matters and Future Thinking
The UKATA AGM, led by Sally Trevaskis (UKATA Chair), provided members with updates on the association’s ongoing development and created space for dialogue, ideas, and suggestions from the community. Jon Levett, UKCP CEO, gave a helpful presentation on the future regulation of counsellors and psychotherapists.
The weekend concluded with the UKATA Future Ideas Lab, a workshop to begin co-designing UKATA’s future strategy with the TA community, facilitated by Katy Jones (UKATA Trustee). This collaborative session captured the energy of the conference, inviting participants to contribute to the future direction of UKATA and the wider TA community.
Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Community Spaces
The Expo Corridor served as a vibrant hub throughout the weekend, where delegates connected with sponsors and exhibitors representing a wide range of TA training institutes, collectives, and professional services.
We extend sincere thanks to all our sponsors for their support, which played a vital role in the success of the event. Delegates were able to connect with exhibitors throughout the weekend in the Expo Corridor, including:
The Berne Institute, Northside Training, Physis Scotland, TA East London Institute, the EO TA Collective, The Wyvern Institute of Psychotherapy and Counselling, PAC Online, Functional Fluency, Intact Academy, the Transactional Analysis Podcast, and Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute.
Additional contributors enhanced the overall conference experience:
The Connections Group, led by Lyn Hayward and supported by Seb Hutchings (UKATA Trustee), continued to provide invaluable support to first-time attendees and those attending alone.
The EventWell© Sensory Calm Room offered a much-needed retreat, allowing delegates to rest, recharge, and regulate during busy conference days.
Our returning bookseller, John Tuffney from Bookmark, once again curated an extensive selection of discounted titles, offering a valuable resource for continued learning.
Social Programme: Energy and Celebration
Beyond the learning spaces, the social programme brought vibrancy and connection:
Friday evening featured the lively rhythms of the Nottingham Samba Collective
Saturday night saw delegates gather for the gala dinner, followed by an energetic ceilidh with Kelly’s Heroes, celebrating Nottingham’s rich folk and Irish music traditions
These moments of shared enjoyment were an essential part of the conference experience, strengthening community bonds and creating lasting memories.
Final Reflections
For me personally, it has been a privilege to witness the warmth, engagement, and appreciation that characterised this year’s conference. To play a role in bringing the event together, and to do so for a final time in this capacity, has been deeply meaningful.
There is a real sense that Conference 2026 ended on a high, with renewed energy and inspiration carried forward by all who attended.
With Thanks
This event would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many individuals. In particular, heartfelt thanks go to:
Kerryn Bell (Managing Director), Claire McManus (Office and Committee Support) and Nelli Poulou-Jensen (Membership Officer) in the UKATA Office for their tireless behind-the-scenes work;
Katy Jones (UKATA Trustee) for her work on the UKATA Stand and at the UKATA strategy workshop;
Harprit Sekhon (UKATA Trustee) for her warm welcome with attendees at the sign in desk and onsite;
Collette Colver (Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute) for invaluable onsite support.
Looking Ahead
Further reflections and feedback will be shared via UKATA social media, the website news section, and upcoming newsletters.
Save the Date for next year’s conference: 23–25 April 2027 – Peterborough
