The Mental Health in Education Conference 2027

Our wonderful speakers

I am delighted that we will be joined by a fantastic group of speakers who will share their knowledge, personal experiences and passion for supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Hope and Neurodiversity – Sarah Henry and Mick Lambert

9:30am – 10:00am

I am delighted to be joined by Mick Lambert, Neurodiversity Lead for Yorkshire and the Humber within Health in Justice and Clinical Lead Nurse for Practice Plus Group.

With more than 25 years of nursing experience, Mick brings a wealth of knowledge from his work supporting people across a wide range of settings.

Together, we will explore the relationship between neurodiversity and mental health, the challenges individuals may experience and the support and strategies available to help people manage their wellbeing.

I will also be sharing my own personal experience of receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, exploring the impact it has had on me and why I believe that, with understanding and the right support, anything is possible.

Hope in Nature – Sara Kendrick

10:00am – 10:20am

Nature has so much to teach us about looking after ourselves, particularly when it comes to the importance of rest, sleep and recovery.

Sara Kendrick will lead an interactive session exploring how the changing seasons can help us better understand our own mental health and wellbeing.

Making the most of the beautiful countryside surrounding Denroyd Farm, Sara will introduce techniques such as grounding and reconnecting with nature.

Bare feet are entirely optional!

Hope – The Mission to Reach That One Man – Luke Ambler

10:20am – 11:00am

We are incredibly pleased to welcome Luke Ambler, Co-Founder and Chair of Trustees of Andy’s Man Club and founder of Ambler Training Group.

Luke has dedicated himself to improving men’s mental health and helping to create safe spaces where people can talk openly without fear of judgement.

Following his Pride of Britain Award in 2026, Luke will join me for a live Q&A exploring what gives him and his team hope, the importance of reaching people who may be struggling and how we can all cultivate hope in our own lives.

Hope in Saving Lives – Joanna Johnson

11:20am – 11:50am

I am delighted to welcome Joanna Johnson back to our conference for a second year.

Joanna is Training Manager at Grassroots Suicide Prevention, a national charity dedicated to preventing suicide through education, connection and campaigning.

Joanna will introduce the Stay Alive app and explore how accessible resources, greater awareness and the right conversations can help save lives.

Suicide prevention is such an important subject, and I am grateful that Joanna will once again be sharing her knowledge and experience with us.

Hope Through Music – Henry Bateman and John Gillard

11:50am – 12:20pm

Music has a wonderful ability to bring people together, help us express emotions and provide comfort during difficult times.

Henry Bateman, Music Therapist, will be joined by John Gillard, Vice Principal at Wellspring Academy Trust, to explore the relationship between music, mental health and hope.

This session will offer a different perspective on how we can support emotional wellbeing and create meaningful connections through music.

Co-regulation in 2027 – Building Mental Wealth for the Future – Vanessa Sokal

12:20pm – 12:45pm

Vanessa Sokal, Senior Mental Health Lead at St John’s School in Leatherhead, Surrey, will explore the importance of co-regulation in supporting children and young people’s emotional wellbeing.

Co-regulation is something we all engage in, often without realising it, but understanding its importance can make a real difference to how we support others.

Vanessa will look at how everyday interactions and relationships can help young people develop emotional literacy, build resilience and feel more hopeful about their futures.

She will also explore how schools and organisations can create emotionally supportive environments where everyone feels understood and valued.

The Kindness Advantage – Ali Carruthers-Illingworth

1:45pm – 2:45pm

I am delighted to welcome Ali Carruthers-Illingworth from Purple Pebble People, who will be exploring something that I believe is at the heart of everything we do: kindness.

In a world where people are facing increasing pressures and uncertainty, kindness can sometimes be overlooked as a way of creating positive change.

Ali will challenge the idea that kindness is a weakness, exploring how it can strengthen relationships, build trust, encourage honest conversations and create environments where people feel they belong.

This thought-provoking session will consider how everyday interactions, leadership and organisational culture can help create hope, improve wellbeing and remind people of what is possible.

Holding the Helper: Caring Through Change – James Parkes

3:00pm – 3:30pm

Those who spend their working lives supporting others also need opportunities to feel supported themselves.

James Parkes from JP Consulting will explore the importance of looking after the people who care for others, particularly during periods of change.

James is a freelance consultant who works with charities, councils and foundations across suicide prevention and safeguarding, having previously worked with PAPYRUS.

This session will provide an opportunity to reflect on the pressures experienced by professionals working in caring and supporting roles, and why their own wellbeing must remain a priority.

Systemic School Wellbeing – Laura Buzzing

3:30pm – 4:15pm

We are delighted to welcome Laura Buzzing, Senior Lecturer in Counselling Psychology, who will be sharing findings from her doctoral research into mental health and wellbeing within secondary schools.

Laura’s research explores how school staff understand their own mental health and how those beliefs and experiences can influence the way they respond to pupils experiencing distress.

This promises to be a fascinating session, encouraging us to think more deeply about the relationship between staff wellbeing and the support available to children and young people.

Conference Close – Sarah Henry and Hope in House Music!

4:15pm – 4:45pm

What better way to end a day exploring hope, connection and wellbeing than with a little music?

For anyone who would like to stay, we will be finishing the conference with an optional session of old-school house classics.

An opportunity to dance, celebrate and end the day on a positive note!

Sharing good practice: The Whole School Approach to Mental Health

Available throughout the day, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Alongside our speaker sessions, we will also be encouraging delegates to share their experiences and ideas through our Whole School Approach to Mental Health practice-sharing stations.

There will be eight thought stations around the room, each focusing on one of the eight principles of a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

These stations will provide an opportunity to share examples of good practice, learn from others and consider how we can continue improving mental health across the whole school community.

Eight thought stations. Eight principles. Your ideas. Your good practice. One vision. One hope. Better mental health for the whole school community.