Resources
We are regularly adding new resources - please keep coming back to see the new material. If you have a resource you would like to share with the VR community, please contact us!!
Discover the latest videos, podcasts and articles from VRA
Non-members and membership exclusive tips, guides and case studies.
The Marvelous Vintage Tea – Pre-vocational Skills Pilot Project
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This inspiring session explored the award-winning Marvelous Vintage Tea pilot project—an initiative that provided students with meaningful vocational learning
Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper
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Overview: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper
IGLOO – what resources are needed and when for sustainable return to work
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The IGLOO framework highlights the need for individual, group, leader, organisational and outside resources to sustain work.
Employing disabled people and people with health conditions
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This guidance provides a summary of information for employers
Global Insights into Vocational Rehabilitation
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A rare opportunity to learn from leading experts in Australia and Canada
Managing Stress for a Healthier, More Productive Life
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April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding the effects of stress and exploring ways to manage it effectively.
Step Up for Wellbeing: Embracing Movement on On Your Feet Britain Day
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With On Your Feet Britain approaching on Thursday, 24 April 2025, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on how integrating physical activity into our daily routines can benefit
Supporting Employment for Individuals with Parkinson’s: A Vocational Rehabilitation Perspective
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Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide.
World Autism Awareness Day
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World Autism Awareness Day was on April 2nd, it’s an opportune moment to deepen our understanding of autism and the challenges faced by autistic individuals.
Supporting Return-to-Work Journeys with Bee Work Ready
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Are you ready to unlock new possibilities for your clients? Join Stuart Miller, Director of SDM Training Services, for an inspiring live webinar on the innovative Bee Work Ready.
Visualise Training and Consultancy Ltd – Shared Resources
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Visualise Training and Consultancy Ltd was established in 2014 by Daniel Williams, who founded the company.
Tinnitus in the Workplace: Breaking the Silence
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It’s Tinnitus Week, and it’s time to start the conversation. Nobody should have to struggle with tinnitus alone, especially at work. Simple changes can make a huge difference, impr
2025 Healthcare Professionals’ Consensus Statement for action on health and work
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Since the last consensus statement between the Academy, the Royal College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Federation in 2019 much has changed, not least the effects of a g
Your Free Employability Toolbox! – On behalf of SDM Training Services
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Whether you’re just starting out, re-entering the workforce, or looking to grow in your career, we’re here to support you with practical, accessible resources designed to make a di
Stress and New Year’s Resolutions
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Stress is an ever-present challenge in the workplace and beyond. This webinar explored the primary causes of work-related stress and provided actionable strategies to help manage i
VRA 30 Year Milestone Conference Round Up
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Thank you to everyone who attended our conference last week. What an amazing day with some fantastic examples of incredible VR practices.
VRA Awards 2024
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We are very excited to be welcoming all of you to Broadway House on the 14th November and celebrating 30 years of the VRA!
New Directions for Government Disability Employment Policy
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The UK’s disability employment gap stands at nearly 30 percentage points, with a 14 per cent pay gap between disabled and non-disabled workers.
Psychological Interventions for Work Outcomes in Chronic Pain
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Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability, with over one-third of sufferers unable to work or facing the risk of work loss.
Pursuing the Power of Nature in Health and Wellbeing
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During this webinar Hawk and Heath described to you the history, science and techniques of Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, a nature therapy with amazing health and wellbeing.
2024 Awards Nominations
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It’s that time of year again where we at the VRA celebrate the world of VR and everything you do to contribute to the constantly evolving industry.
Lessons learnt from Fit Note research with Physiotherapists
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There have been some useful studies looking at the roll out of the Fit Note beyond GPs to other healthcare professionals.
WORK WITH PAIN Research Project
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You are invited to take part in a research project which is being led by Dr Joanna McParland at Glasgow Caledonian University and funded by the National Institute for health.
The impact of an Occupational Therapy led Vocational Rehab clinic in Primary care
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Using Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) funding an Occupational Therapy led service has been developed to provide Vocational Rehabilitation support within Primary Care N
A Great Loss to the VRA
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This has been a month of sad losses for the VR profession and for the VRA in particular.
Networking Remotely. Can we make it work?
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Today was an interactive session, exploring a range of different ways we can increase networking opportunities within the VRA.
Delving into the breadth of VR across different sectors
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WOW!! What an AMAZING day exploring the impact of VR across different industry sectors.
VRA 2024 AGM
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Yesterday we held our annual AGM meeting. We had a fantastic turn out and we very much look forward to what 2024 will bring to our organisation and members.
Facilitating return to work – using worksite assessments to guide return to work planning
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As case managers we may often need to look at whether an individual client can return to work in their previous role.
Disability Employment Charter
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In short, it shows employing disabled people in larger numbers has zero negative performance effects in large firms, and in SMEs is associated with several better performance.
None Of Our Business? How Places of Work Can Help to Improve the Health of the Nation
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None Of Our Business? – How Places of Work Can Help to Improve the Health of the Nation
Joboppo Podcast
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I have spent the past couple of years trying to promote better understanding of Vocational Rehabilitation amongst those not working in the sector, but specifically within the armed
Resources to support VR practice to reduce disability discrimination
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This session was a follow-up to Andy’s November 2022 VRA webinar session on ‘The Equality Act in vocational rehabilitation: Comprehensive in theory but, as yet, restricted in pract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the VR profession: The good, the bad and ugly
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If you work within the vocational rehabilitation, experts, case management and workplace wellbeing space, this webinar will help you get to grips with the uses, benefits and cautio
My journey into the world of Vocational Rehabilitation – by Amanda Mason
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Am I a Vocational Rehabilitation Practitioner? My title at Vitality360 is Career and Employment Consultant and I consider myself primarily a Career Guidance Professional.
And the Winners Are…
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Congratulations to all of our Finalists to the VRA Awards Ceremony yesterday. It was fantastic listening to all that you have achieved in 2023 and the progress that has been made i
VRA Awards 2023
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Yesterday we enjoyed our amazing Awards Ceremony showcasing some fantastic examples of VR Practise in 2023.
“Earlier early intervention – an evidence-based approach to RTW, from an income protection viewpoint” – progress update
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The aim of the research project was to develop a return-to-work “intervention” that could be implemented earlier than our current income protection insurance policy.
VRA Awards 2023 – Finalists Announced
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Finalists have now been announced…
Raising awareness to prevent disability discrimination
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The Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA) is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) among our members, trustees, employees.
The Breadth of VR – Variety of roles and opportunities
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An interactive session to explore how VR is implemented in various settings including: NHS, case management, welfare to work, ergonomics, insurance and private sectors.
Employment Inclusivity – The VR contribution to inclusivity in the workplace
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On Thursday 19th October we held an online multidisciplinary conference which aimed to support and equip practitioners for the changing world of work and explore how equality, dive
OH and VRA working together
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Today we held a panel discussion of Occupational Health, roles and tasks and how this aligns with vocational rehabilitation. A panel discussion with the VRA and OT’s in OH
Using FCE’s to facilitate ‘high risk, poor outcome’ cases
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This presentation uses a case referred by the insurance industry, following his injury sustained in a road traffic accident.
The challenges and benefits to working independently
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This was a networking session for Practitioners to share challenges, support each other, and hopefully start to build supportive networks
Comparing the requirements for ongoing professional certification with registered bodies for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Speech & Language Therapists (SaLTs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs)
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Title of study: Comparing the requirements for ongoing professional certification with registered bodies for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Speech & Language Therapists
AHP’s using the Fit Note – what has changed and how can we use it?
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Legislation changed in July 2022 to enable Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Pharmacists to complete Fit Notes.
Where does Stress end and Mental Illness Begin?
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Stress is NOT a medical condition but a reaction to a situation a person finds themselves in.
Menopause Friendly Company Checklist
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There are more people experiencing menopause at work than ever before.
Better together
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There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly (Buckminster-Fuller, 2014)
Creating a rethink in the design and delivery of workplace health and wellbeing strategy
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Abstract - This paper presents a provocation that challenges the status quo and asks how we could best reframe the picture of workplace health and wellbeing needs.
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Welfare to Work participants & how we are responding to this.
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A led discussion by Andrea Collin around the cost-of-living crisis and how this is being shown in the welfare to work industry and its participants.
VRA Webinar: Beyond Autism – Creating an employability toolkit for autistic people and their employers
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Only 21.7% of autistic adults are in any kind of paid employment (Office of National Statistics, 2021).
Auditing Our Practice: Why Should VR Practitioners Bother?
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Part of the VRA’s regular CPD webinar series, this is an interactive session exploring how and why we audit our practice, and the potential benefits to be gained.
Hearing Loss Needn’t Mean Job Loss
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With the right support, workplace adjustments and assistive technology, people living with hearing loss can enjoy productive and rewarding careers.
VRA Network: Exploring racial inequalities in vocational rehabilitation
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Black people in the UK are less likely than their White counterparts to be in employment and when employed, are more likely to occupy low paid, precarious w
Eye Work With You Too
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The objective of this project was to broaden understanding of the experiences of individuals with vision impairment in accessing the labour market in Northern Ireland.
Are you a veteran? Why ask?
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There are many factors to consider when supporting armed forces veterans or service leavers. Additionally, there is a vast network of support that can assist you to do this.
Living standards for working-age people with disabilities
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The cost of living crisis has shone a harsh light on different groups’ ability to deal with fast- rising prices.
The Equality Act in VR
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The recording of our November 2022 webinar. The Equality Act (EqA) provides the UK legal context for definitions of disability and discrimination.
Talking Toolkit
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This publication from HSE is designed to help employers to support disabled workers and workers with long-term health conditions to get into and stay in work.
Step Ahead Plus: ABI
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This is the recording from our November 2022 Irish Network meeting.
Standards Audit Tool
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The VR Standards (2019) requires members.
RNIB employment support and resources
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In this session for World Sight Day for our Irish Network hosted RNIB who covered the RNIB employment services available in Northern Ireland.
VRA Podcast: Empowering the worker back to work
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This is part of our occasional VR podcast series.
Earlier early intervention – an evidence-based approach to RTW, from an income protection viewpoint
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For our September 2022 webinar, we were delighted to have an update on the exciting return to work research by Swiss Re and the University of Huddersfield that we shared in Spring
Podcast: Workability and recovery whilst working
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This is part of our occasional VR podcast series.
VRA Podcast: A clinicians journey through the pandemic
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This is part of our occasional VR podcast series.
Recognising and responding to the impact of domestic abuse on women
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This online information session provided participants with an opportunity to learn about women’s experience of intimate partner violence and abuse.
Fatigue Management VS Energy Optimisation
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Is energy a finite resource or can you increase capacity for productivity using energy optimisation?
Irish Network – Bodywhys, eating disorders
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Bodywhys provides support, information and understanding to people affected by eating disorders in Ireland.
Impact of substance use disorder
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
Clients with complex presentations
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
Disclosing criminal records
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
General learning difficulties/learning disability
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
Breaking Barriers – Panel discussion
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
Striving to end homelessness
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This presentation was part of our breaking barriers spring conference in May 2022.
Overview of the benefit information resources provided by Turn2us
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For our April CPD webinar we were joined by Turned2us, a UK charity providing information about benefits and their benefits calculator tool.
Aging and Work
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The Centre for Aging Better has published its state of aging report. Some key points in relation to work are.
Health and Wellbeing Survey
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Wellbeing and mental health are beginning to slip down the business agenda, a new report from the CIPD and Simplyhealth.
Menopause and the workplace
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The Women and Equalities Committee of the House of Commons have published the results of the menopause and the workplace survey.
Irish Network: Grief in the Workplace in the Aftermath of Covid19
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The recording of our April 2022 Irish Network event.
Rehabilitation Anywhere online resource for those living with ABI
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Rehabilitation Anywhere is a new online programme from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, providing remote education along with strategies, tips and activities.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Income Protection (IP) insurance
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This recording of our March 2022 webinar will be relevant to Vocational Rehabilitation practitioners looking to expand their services to the IP sector.
Stress Talking Toolkits
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These HSE toolkits were designed to help managers talk with workers as part of their overall approach to preventing and managing work-related stress.
Irish Network: Migraine its not just a headache
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This presentation for our March 2022 Irish Network meeting covered why migraine is more than just a headache but rather a complex neurological disorder with many different facets.
Completing the fit note effectively
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Dr Lara Shemtob updates on the focus on the fit note with additional policy context. She talks about new changes allowing Allied Health Professionals to use fit notes.
Exploring the Reality of Inclusive Return-To-Work
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The ongoing pandemic has reshaped how we live, how we interact, and how we work in ways we couldn’t imagine only 2 years ago.
Cancer and employment survey
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The Institute for Employment Studies has published research on working with cancer.
Managing Stress and Mental Health Risks at work: Tools for Practitioners
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In this webinar, VRA Trustee and Business Psychologist, Alan Bradshaw, discussed a methodology and demonstrated one of a set of tools he developed.
Self-harm
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All professionals working across the health and social care system have a role to play in supporting people who self-harm.
Irish Network: Negotiating return to work in the age of demographic change through industrial relations
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Our February Irish Network provided an overview of key findings from the EU project “Negotiating return to work in the age of demographic change through industrial relations (REWIR
BSRM Guidance on Vocational Rehabilitation
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The British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM) have produced brief guidance on Vocational Rehabilitation. Past Chair of the VRA Dr Andrew Frank and Trustee Joy Reymond both
Supporting staff with long covid
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CIPD warns long COVID remains a pressing concern for employers as it publishes new insights on how organisations can support staff affected.
Vocational Case Management: VRA Webinar
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Many vocational rehabilitation practitioners provide case management but this is not always recognised as an integral part of the role.
Work and Cancer: Irish Network
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Increased cancer survival has prompted focus on optimising quality of life for those living with and beyond cancer, including reintegration into work.
Disabled Workers’ access to flexible working as a reasonable adjustment
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There is a significant demand among disabled workers for flexible working.
Atypical Working
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‘Atypical’ or ‘non-standard’ work usually describes any work that is not full-time, open-ended employment with regular hours.
Flexible Working for Older Workers
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New research has been conducted evaluating a programme to explore how over 50s can access the benefits of flexible working.
Working Minds Toolkit
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Starting the conversation is an important first step towards preventing work-related stress and developing the actions and stress risk assessment employers need to comply.
Video Library
Watch helpful video guides, webinars, conferences and updates from the VRA team, with exclusive member assets.
Podcast Library
Listen to our dedicated podcast insights from the VRA team with featured guests to the podcast. Additional exclusive member extras.
Article Library
Read the most recent articles, case studies and news - from inside and outside the organisation.
Discover Practitioners for specialist VR services
A list of Practitioners to help you with your work. We are regularly adding new verified Practitioners to the site!
Up to date resources for your business
Explore the most recent tips and information aids for you or your organisation from individual guides to dealing with staff.
Information & guides for Individuals
Informative documents/guides to help you support, advice, gain or maintain employment.
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