VRA Conference 2025 Draws Full House for Sector-Shaping Dialogue and Recognition

VRA Conference 2025 Draws Full House for Sector-Shaping Dialogue and Recognition

Westminster played host to a sold-out VRA Conference last week, as professionals from across the vocational rehabilitation sector gathered for a day of insight, collaboration, and celebration. Held at Broadway House, the event marked a pivotal moment for the field, with a programme designed to challenge assumptions, share evidence, and honour excellence.

The day opened with informal networking over coffee, setting a warm tone for what would become a dynamic and thought-provoking agenda. Johnny Timpson welcomed attendees with a call to action, urging the sector to take bold steps in shaping the future of vocational rehabilitation.

The morning’s panel discussion, chaired by Julie Denning, tackled three pressing themes: the need to clarify vocational rehabilitation’s identity amid overlapping roles and terminology; the challenge of shifting employer attitudes and embedding meaningful workplace health cultures; and the complexities of delivering effective workplace adjustments. With contributions from Laura Rogers, Katherine Moxham, and Diane Lightfoot, the session explored how VR practitioners can navigate policy, employer expectations, and the Healthy Working Lifecycle to deliver impactful, balanced support.

After a short break, Professor Jo Yarker led an interactive workshop focused on building an evidence-based vocational rehabilitation community. Drawing on the ENGAGE Project, Yarker guided attendees through real-world scenarios, encouraging collaborative thinking around what constitutes evidence, how it can be embedded into practice, and how practitioners can contribute to shaping future research.

A catered lunch provided time for continued conversation, punctuated by a surprise interview with guest Dan Riddle, hosted by Zofia. The afternoon resumed with a trustee-led case study workshop facilitated by Bev Knopps, where attendees explored ethical dilemmas and decision-making through a governance lens.

The VRA Awards Ceremony, hosted by Tahnee and Zofia, was a standout moment. Ron Wheatcroft was named VR Champion 2025 for his transformative impact on the field, having elevated vocational rehabilitation to national prominence through policy influence, research, and practitioner engagement. Swiss Re and HSBC received Project of the Year for their innovative metabolic health intervention integrating VR into disability insurance claims. Aviva’s Vocational Rehabilitation Team was honoured as Team of the Year for their proactive, client-centred approach and exemplary collaboration.

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Closing reflections from Johnny Timpson challenged attendees to consider their next steps in advancing the sector. Final conversations continued into the evening, with open networking in the elegant surroundings of Broadway House.

The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors Swiss Re, Legal & General, Phelps Ltd, and Irwin Mitchell, whose commitment to inclusive practice and sector development was evident throughout the day.

Tickets for next year’s VRA Conference are available for pre-order HERE.

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