We’re delighted to have the NHS Natural Health School’s Gwyn Featonby and Sarah Grant joining us as speakers at the 2019 FHT Conference on Friday 29 November at The King’s Fund, London.

Gwyn and Sarah are members of the award-winning team that head up the NHS Natural Health School, based at Harrogate District Hospital, Harrogate and District Foundation Trust (HDFT). It is the first NHS-approved and owned complementary therapy school to be run by NHS employees, and was developed to create a self-sustaining model of care for cancer patients, delivered by therapists trained to the highest standards.

In their presentation, Gwyn and Sarah will explain to delegates how they went about improving the hospital’s existing therapy service, as well as the hard work and determination that went into setting up the school. They will touch on how they evaluate the service, the training provided to their students, along with how the model supports patients, therapists, medical staff and the Trust alike.

Find out more and book your place at the 2019 FHT Conference

Read an article about the NHS Natural Health School (first published in International Therapist, issue 127)

In the reading room: Senior lecturer and therapist, Dr Fiona Holland, looks at what language used in marketing materials says about body image (First published in International Therapist, Issue 118, Autumn 2016.)

Fiona says, ‘I’ve spent many years researching body image, body shaming, body esteem and well-being and feel strongly that to be equitable and ethical, all professions should adopt a philosophy where everyone is equally welcomed and treated with respect regardless of age, gender, size, shape, health status, race, socioeconomic status, religious belief, ability and appearance.’

Learn more about body image at the 2019 FHTConference

A senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Derby, Fiona supports students in modules and research projects that link with health and wellbeing. Fiona qualified as a massage therapist in 1997 and ran her own massage and wellbeing practice in the USA. Her research interests include behaviour change, body esteem, breast cancer and body image, and the benefits of wellbeing interventions on psychological health.

Fiona will give an overview of the impact of negative body image across different populations and outline the benefits of developing and maintaining body esteem. She will outline ways therapists can reinforce positive body image and esteem and will give delegates practical guidance in how to do this. Fiona will encourage delegates to consider creating a pro-esteem environment to benefit wellbeing and promote healthier self-talk and body-supportive behaviours.

Find out more and book your place

New in the reading room: Sarah Catlow and Lance Doggart discuss the treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of tennis injuries (first published in International Therapist issue 129, Summer 2019).

Read the article

Are we spending too much time on our smartphones? Do we need a break from them to spend quality time with loved ones, read a good book, or appreciate the wonders of the natural world? Our digital detox starts at 5pm today. Have a great weekend, enjoy some downtime, and we look forward to catching up with you all on Monday!

In the reading room: Kelly De Souza, MFHT, discusses a series of projects she has set up within her local hospice to improve staff and patient wellbeing (First published in International Therapist, issue 128, Spring 2019) #worldwellbeingweek #wellbeingweek

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