Since 2016, the NHS APA has been proud to host conferences that have created opportunities for people to network, learn and collaborate on the topic of addiction and stigma. The impact of these events has been profound; facilitating important conversations and allowing the sharing of knowledge and best practices.
This year, in order to support the long-term growth of the NHS APA, which currently includes 18 NHS trusts across England, we have made the decision not to hold the annual conference for 2024. This decision, though difficult, is driven by our commitment to make a positive difference in the addictions sector and our ongoing work in challenging the stigma against people who experience addiction. Through this pause we aim to channel our efforts and resources into developing a robust strategy that will drive positive change and strengthen our collective impact.
We acknowledge that this decision may come as a disappointment to many who have come to look forward to our annual conference. This pause is not taken lightly and we are grateful for the understanding of our supporters as we focus on our long-term objectives, something we hope to share more of in the near future. We are committed to returning with an even more impactful and engaging event, and we are excited about the future possibilities that our strategic focus will unlock.
Our Chair, Danny Hames, commented:
The NHS APA annual conference has now been running for seven years with growing engagement and vibrancy, and these large-scale events will remain an important part of our offer to the treatment sector and the people we serve. However, in the spirit of Glastonbury Festival, we feel that this year is the right time to take a “fallow year” – to pause, and to take some time to reflect on our work over recent years and ensure our foundations for the future are strong and sustainable.
It feels like an opportune moment to thank all the sponsors, speakers, organisers and attendees at these conferences over the last 7 years. They are a real highlight for me each year and your contributions are very significant. We look forward to returning next year with renewed vigour, purpose, and collective ambition.
In the meantime, we encourage you to stay connected with the NHS APA. Please sign up for our mailing list, follow our social media channels, and visit our website for updates on our ongoing initiatives, campaign work and future plans.