The National Rural Conference 2025

Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!

Agenda of Rural Health Conference 2017

 
































































Arrival and registration - Tea and coffee available



11:00 am



Keynote talk


Cllr Izzi Seccombe - Leader of Warwickshire County Council and Chair of the LGA Community Well-Being Board – Welcome and Setting the Scene



11:30 am



Keynote talk


Professor Martin Powell, Professor of Health and Social Policy, University of Birmingham - Health and health policy in rural areas: a view through the urban lens



11:50 am


Lunch and Networking 12:20 pm

Plenary Session: Preventive Measures and Health Outcomes: How to Stimulate Positive Behaviours


1) Alison Marshall - Professor of Health Technology and Innovation, and Director at the Cumbrian Centre for Health Technologies - Leading Change in a Rural Context: Perspectives from Cumbria


2) Professor Rod Thomson - Director of Public Health at Shropshire Council - Rural Health and Equalities: Identification and Action


3) Dave Worsell - Managing Director, Granicus (Europe) - Citizen engagement strategies that support change in the public sector


1:20 pm

Workshop Sessions 
(Please pick two from the four listed below)


'Changing more lives through collaboration' 


Choice A  - Professor Chris Bridle - Institute of Health University of Lincoln - Coordination and collaboration strategies across higher education focused on delivering health outcomes


Choice B  - Nikki Silver - CEO of LIVES - The role of the third sector in addressing rural health inequalities


'Changing behaviour one message at a time'


Choice C  - Matt Bukowski - Director of Social Care Strategies Ltd - The role of "GrandCare" in helping vulnerable people to live independently in rural areas


Choice D  - Beth Bowmer - Bedford Borough Council – Informing, Engaging and Encouraging Citizens into Action


* Please make your preference known on the booking form. Delegates will be allocated to workshops taking these choices into account.


2:10 -
3:00 pm
Workshop 1 2:10 pm
Workshop 2 2:35 pm
Networking break
3:00 pm
Debate:

A range of speaking participants


3:30 pm
Closing words - Councillor Cecilia Motley Chair of the Rural Services Network
3:50 pm
Close of Day 4:00 pm