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Conference 2026
Togetherness: Relationships for Mental Health
30th Anniversary conference
2026 marks 30 years since the development of the Solihull Approach model. Join us to think about the next 30 years and help shape a future of better mental health.
2nd November 2026
Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham (53 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham, B15 2RS)
Ticket cost includes attendance, freshly prepared conference lunch, on-site parking.
Book your place
Join leaders and grass-roots changemakers across public health, education and community engagement to shape the future of preventative mental health.
We welcome you to join our conference!
In-person conference tickets cost just £95.
Livestream of conference proceedings
Can’t attend our conference in-person? We are delighted to open bookings to watch our conference proceedings via livestream.
Livestream conference tickets cost just £65.
Relationships for Mental Health
For our 30th anniversary event, we’ll be focussing on relationships in and for mental health. We know relationships shape who we are; they shape how our brains develop from as early as pregnancy and throughout our lives.
The relational Solihull Approach model has a long history of transforming lives by strengthening relationships and emotional wellbeing. It integrates key psychological and psychoanalytic theories — containment, reciprocity and behaviour — into a simple yet powerful model that supports emotional development and relational health. Since its earliest applications, wide-ranging studies have demonstrated the positive impact for improved closeness and reduced conflict in relationships over its 30-year history.
One-day conference
Join us as we bring together passionate practitioners with leaders in public health, education and family support, to build on the impact of Togetherness, sharing ideas, expertise and connections to make a difference for our next generation of babies, children and their families.
We look forward to hearing from speakers from across specialisms and communities, all making a difference with evidence-based, relational approaches. We have so much to share and celebrate and have curated a day of lightening talks, case study showcases, research presentations and discussion built around the themes of:
- Understanding the foundations of mental health
- Raising children in a changing world
- Community approaches to emotional health and togetherness in communities
- Building a trauma-informed society
Our speakers
Confirmed speakers so far:
Jonathan Brotherton
Group Chief Executive at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Reflections on the NHS 10 year strategy
Dr Hazel Douglas MBE
Director and Founder of Togetherness
Togetherness and the evidence for relationship-based approaches in mental health
Dr Rebecca Johnson
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Understanding the foundations of emotional wellbeing and raising children in a changing world
Kjartan Valgardsson
CEO of the Icelandic Mental Health Association
Whole system approaches in Iceland’s public health
Dr Davy Evans
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Neonatal Specialist
Understanding relationships, trauma and attachment in neonatal care
Mahek Uttamchandani
Consultant Occupational Therapist and Director of Therapy Services at Stepping Stones Paediatric Therapy Services – Mumbai, India
Togetherness in sensory-based occupational therapy
Dr Beth Hill
Clinical Psychologist, First Steps Early Intervention & Community Psychology Service
Culturally appropriate Togetherness groups for parents in Hackney. Partnership working between professionals from the Orthodox Jewish Community and NHS to improve practice and outcomes for all communities
Berocha de Lange
Therapist and Togetherness Parenting Practitioner – Koach Parenting
Culturally appropriate Togetherness groups for parents in Hackney. Partnership working between professionals from the Orthodox Jewish Community and NHS to improve practice and outcomes for all communities
Kimberley Campbell-Nottage
Team Leader/Parenting Coordinator at BID Services and a member of the deaf community
Relationships and emotional health support for the deaf community
Emma Sandy
CPD, Inclusion and Outreach Lead at St Nicholas School, Canterbury
Supporting the emotional health of school staff, pupils and their families with Togetherness in a special school context
Clare Faulkner
Director of Primary Education at Developing Experts
An evidence-based, relationship-focussed approach to introducing mental health education in Key Stage 1
Victoria White
Curriculum Writer at Developing Experts
An evidence-based, relationship-focussed approach to introducing mental health education in Key Stage 1
Shirley McCaffrey
Social Work Learning and Development Lead
Developing a trauma-informed practice across Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
Martina McCooey
Child Development Interventions Coordinator
Developing a trauma-informed practice across Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
Why attend?
Inspiring, expert speakers
A packed schedule of speakers from across sectors. Find practical tools and ideas to bring relationship focused, reflective approaches to your own local community.
Connect and network
Celebrate our 30th birthday with other Togetherness champions and colleagues shaping emotional health and outcomes for families in the UK and around the world!
Shape a future of ‘togetherness’
Take time to reflect on mental health in our changing world and dynamic society. Come together to help us bring together expertise and experience to make positive change.
Programme for the day
The conference day’s schedule. Timings of individual sessions may be subject to change.
| Timings | Programme |
|---|---|
| 08.45 – 09.15 | Breakfast reception Poster exhibition |
| 09.15 – 10.00 | Welcome Reflections on the NHS 10 year strategy |
| 10.00 – 11.00 | Understanding mental health and relationships 30 years of the Solihull Approach model Embedding ‘togetherness’ in Stockport’s universal, targeted and specialist support offer Whole system approaches in Iceland’s public health |
| 11.00 – 11.30 | Refreshment break and networking |
| 11.30 – 12.45 | Raising children in a changing world Understanding the foundations of emotional wellbeing and raising children in a changing world Relationships and emotional health support for the deaf community An evidence-based, relationship-focussed approach to introducing mental health education in Key Stage 1 |
| 12.45 – 13.15 | Conference lunch and networking |
| 13.15 – 14.40 | Togetherness across the whole community Keynote: Togetherness and the evidence for relationship-based approaches in mental health from Dr Hazel Douglas MBE Panel reflections and Q&A Supporting the emotional health of school staff, pupils and their families with Togetherness in a special school context Culturally appropriate Togetherness groups for parents in Hackney Togetherness in sensory-based occupational therapy |
| 14.40 – 15.00 | Refreshment break and networking |
| 15.00 – 15.40 | Understanding and processing trauma Supporting women, mums and infants in the UK prison system Understanding relationships, trauma and attachment in neonatal care Developing a trauma-informed practice across Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Supporting the UK’s overseas military families with Togetherness |
| 15.40-16.00 | Closing remarks |
Chat with BBC CBeebies Parenting
As part of the day, you can speak to representatives from BBC CBeebies Parenting at their stand. We’re delighted to welcome them to join our conference.
We’ve been working closely with BBC CBeebies Parenting to make accessing parent support simple.
Championing Togetherness in your local area
2nd – 8th November 2026
Wherever you are in the UK or abroad, champion Togetherness and the relationships that protect mental health.
This week marks 30 years since the development of the Solihull Approach model. Your organisation can celebrate Togetherness and support your local community through our communications and events pack.
Take part
Follow us
Keep up to date with everything happening during our celebration week.
- Facebook: @TogethernessNHS
- Instagram: @togetherness_nhs
- TikTok: @togetherness_nhs
- YouTube: @togetherness_nhs
- LinkedIn: @Togetherness-NHS