VRA Annual Conference

Step into a Day of Transition, Transformation, and Translating Insight into Practice

The VRA’s 2026 Conference is more than an event — it’s a movement.
A full‑day, immersive summit designed to explore the transitions that shape working lives and the vocational rehabilitation practice that supports them.

Across interactive discussions and workshops, we’ll examine the pivotal moments where people need VR the most: entering the workforce, navigating midlife change, returning after illness or family leave, managing men’s health and menopause, and transitioning into later‑life work and retirement.

This is a day built for practitioners who want to transform practice, translate insight into action, and strengthen the transfer of knowledge across the entire work‑and‑health ecosystem.

If you support people through work transitions — this is your day.

Why Attend?

Because the world of work is changing — and so are the people in it.

Delegates will leave:

• Better informed about the latest evidence, tools, and approaches
• More influential in shaping employer conversations and workplace culture
• More confident in supporting clients through complex transitions
• Better equipped to design VR plans that lead to sustained work outcomes
• More connected to a cross‑sector network of VR, OH, OT, HR, case management, and rehabilitation professionals

This is your opportunity to elevate your practice, strengthen your impact, and join a community committed to improving work and health outcomes across the lifespan.

Who Should Attend?

This summit is designed for professionals who support individuals through work‑related transitions, including:

• Vocational Rehabilitation Practitioners
• Occupational Health Professionals
• Occupational Therapists
• Case Managers (BABICM, CMSUK, independent)
• HR and People Professionals
• Employment Advisors and Coaches
• Psychologists working in work, health, or behaviour change
• Insurers and Rehabilitation Providers
• Employers committed to inclusive work practices
• Students and early‑career professionals entering VR or OH

If your work touches any part of the return‑to‑work, stay‑at‑work, or career transition journey — you belong in this room.

What’s Included

A full programme of interactive discussions and workshops — each blending expert insight with meaningful, practical activities designed to deepen understanding and strengthen your practice.

Supporting Young People Into Work

Christian Van Stolk — Deputy Chief Executive, RAND Europe

Christian brings decades of expertise in workplace health, wellbeing, and employment support. His work spans:

• Leading NHS staff wellbeing initiatives

• Developing evidence for workplace health interventions

• Supporting employment for people with common mental health conditions

• Advising major employers, UK government, European institutions, OECD, and the World Bank

He also oversaw RAND’s involvement in Britain’s Healthiest Workplace (Vitality Health) and Asia’s Healthiest Workplace (AIA). A PhD graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Christian is a fellow of both the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Society of the Arts, and serves on multiple UK government expert panels on occupational and mental health.

Career Change & Midlife Transitions: Re‑Connexion: Rewriting My Story

With Sara Grimshaw & Jake Cooper

A powerful, dual‑perspective session exploring identity, resilience, and rebuilding life after disruption.

Jake’s Story

At 21, Jake survived a catastrophic road traffic collision that left him facing years of physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery — including PTSD, anxiety, fatigue, and memory challenges. Refusing to be defined by trauma, he committed to rehabilitation and rebuilt his identity with determination and purpose.

Today, Jake supports others through Rehabilitate Therapy Ltd and leads Re‑Connexion Personal Training and Rehabilitation, empowering people with life‑changing injuries to regain confidence, strength, and self‑belief.

Sara’s Expertise

With 28 years of experience across orthopaedic, neurological, and polytrauma rehabilitation, Sara brings deep clinical knowledge and a truly client‑centred approach. Her career includes:

• Senior Associate OT at Rehabilitate Therapy Ltd

• Clinical Professional Lead shaping therapy delivery models

• One of the NHS’s inaugural case managers

• International service development, including establishing an OT department in Abu Dhabi

Sara is passionate about mentoring the next generation of OTs and championing occupation‑based, meaningful, values‑led practice.

Supporting returners back to sustainable work after extended career breaks for caring, health or other reasons

Speakers: Karen Danker (Career Returners) and Natalie Desty (STEM Returners)

Karen Danker is an accredited Executive Coach and Head of Coaching & Community at Career Returners. She supports mid-to-senior professionals to navigate career transitions, rebuild confidence and return to sustainable work after extended breaks. Karen has helped deliver programmes enabling thousands of returners to successfully relaunch their careers across sectors including financial services, law, technology, telecoms and the public sector.

Natalie Desty is the Founder and Director of STEM Returners, an award-winning programme creating supported routes back into STEM careers for professionals returning after a career break. Working with employers across the UK, Natalie champions inclusive hiring and practical returner programmes that unlock experienced talent. She is also the driving force behind The STEM Returners Index, which shares evidence-based insights into the barriers returners face and the actions organisations can take to improve outcomes.

Men’s Health and Work Transitions

Polina Filep, Senior Specialist Nurse, Prostate Cancer UK & Heather Groarke, Specialist Nurse Prostate Cancer

Heather Groarke and Polina Filep bring deep clinical expertise from their roles as Specialist Nurses at Prostate Cancer UK. Heather offers national support to men navigating symptoms, diagnosis, treatment decisions and life after prostate cancer, with particular focus on survivorship and sexual rehabilitation. Polina combines frontline clinical experience with organisational leadership, helping shape how the nurse voice informs services, communications and strategy. Together, they offer clear, evidence‑based insight into what men and their families need at every stage of the prostate cancer journey..

Supporting Menopause at Work: An Occupational Therapy Whole‑Person Approach

Tracey Allport — Women’s Health OT, Therapeutic & Leadership Coach

Tracey is an award‑winning clinician with over 30 years’ experience and a Postgraduate Certificate in Menopause Medicine. As Specialist Lead for Menopause within the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ Healthy Ageing Community Forum, she blends:

• Occupational therapy

• Complementary therapies

• Leadership and therapeutic coaching

Known for her warmth, humour, and deep empathy, Tracey equips organisations and individuals with the knowledge and tools to support menopausal wellbeing and workplace retention through a whole‑person lens.

Retirement as an Occupational Transition: Supporting Choice, Control & Wellbeing

Emma Shears BSc (Hons), MSc — Founder, OT is FAB

With 25+ years’ experience in major life and career transitions, Emma specialises in supporting senior leaders navigating the shift from high‑performance careers into retirement. Her background includes:

• MSc in Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Case Management

• Clinical practice in acquired brain injury and stroke

• Expertise in occupational science and neuroscience

Emma’s approach helps individuals protect mental health, sustain purpose, and design fulfilling futures beyond corporate life. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with what matters and step confidently into their next chapter.

Walk Away With Tools You Can Use Immediately

Every session is designed to translate insight into practice — giving you practical frameworks, strategies, and resources to strengthen your work with clients, teams, and organisations.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Our 2026 conference is one of our most forward‑thinking and collaborative events yet — and we’re inviting corporate partners to be part of it.

Sponsorship offers a powerful platform to connect with leaders across the VR sector, contribute to the transfer of knowledge, and position your organisation at the heart of innovation in work and health.

If your organisation is ready to champion progress and support the professionals driving real change, we’d love to explore partnership options with you.

Proposed Agenda:

9:15 – 9:45 | Arrival & Registration

9:45 – 10:00 | Opening Remarks - VRA Chair - Julie

10:00 – 10.45 | Supporting Young People into Work

Speaker: Christian Van Stolk - RAND Representative

☕ 10:45 – 11:00 | Coffee Break

11:00 – 11:45 | Career Change & Midlife Transitions

Speaker: Sara Grimshaw, OT/Service Development Lead, and her client Jake

12:45 – 12:30 | Men’s Health and Work Transitions

Speaker: Polina Filep, Senior Specialist Nurse, Prostate Cancer UK & Heather Groarke, Specialist Nurse Prostate Cancer 

🍽️ 12:30-1:30 | Lunch & Networking

1:30 - 2:15 | Returning to Work After Family Leave

Karen Danker, Career Returners and Natalie Desty from Stem Returners  

☕ 2:15 - 2:30 | Coffee Break

2:30 - 3:15 | Supporting Menopause at Work: An Occupational Therapy Whole-Person Approach 

Tracey Allport - Women’s Health Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist - MOTH TLC

3:15 - 4:00 | Retirement & Later-Life Transitions

Emma Shears BSc (Hons) MSc

4:00 - 4:20 - Awards Launch

4:20 - 4:45 - Closing Remarks

4:45 - 6:00 - Networking and Drinks