Members had the chance to network, share ideas and speak to members of our board at our free Making Connections in Scotland.

The day-long event was held at the Hilton Glasgow, and included an opportunity for members to talk about their work and projects in a two-minute platform.

Antonia Higgins, a counsellor based in Falkirk, posted on Twitter: “Impressed by @BACP #MakingConnections event in Glasgow today. Excellent presentations this morning. #CounsellingChangesLives”

The day began with welcomes from our governors Natalie Bailey and Moira Sibbald.

Award winner

Mia Zielinska, winner of this year’s PCCS Books Student Award for her research project The Talking Booth: An invitation to get personal in public, was the first speaker.

Her talk explored her professional past and why she became a counsellor; how her desire for connection gave rise to her research project and its impact on her and others.

Jamie Smith, lecturer in counselling at Glasgow Clyde University, focused on how personal views or feelings regarding suicide can potentially impact our confidence to practise safely and competently when managing risk.

Our research fellow Gemma Ryan presented on Making Research For You, about how we use research to benefit our members and clients to enhance the standing of the counselling professions.

Gemma Fay and Katie Flavell, of our professional conduct department, introduced the new professional conduct procedure before members took the floor for their two-minute presentations.

Networking

There was the chance to network and speak to colleagues, members and BACP staff, to share ideas and meet people with similar interests.

The day concluded with a presentation by Andrew Smith, of therAPP UK, who talked about therapeutic recovery for children.

Satinder Panesar is a Glasgow-based counsellor, chair of our Healthcare Division and a member of our Older People Expert Reference Group.

She posted on Twitter: “Great networking event with some incredible people!”

The next Making Connections event takes place in Llandudno on Tuesday, September 3 and is free to members.

Bookings are now open. Find our more information or book a place.