ACPOHE Committee members Colette Owen and Pauline Austin, from our Membership team, attended the CSP's 32nd Annual Representative Conference (ARC) in Manchester in June 2023.
Pauline has very kindly written about their experience here.
20th June 2023 - Day 1 at ARC
I arrived at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and read the plaque at the grand entrance telling me that Mr Rolls met Mr Royce here in 1904, and the rest is history! I realised I was somewhere special for my first ARC as one of the ACPOHE professional network representatives.
Observing Physiotherapists from all specialities, professional groups and working environments gathering on one place from all over the country was exciting. I was proud to be part of the action!
Colette and I greeted each other enjoying the fact that the ACPOHE Membership team were meeting in person for the first time!
Seated with coffee in hand the day began, with the agenda of motions worked though and voted upon. It was satisfying to be able to contribute as a professional network representative, listen to both the supportive and against comments and ensuing debates then deciding based on the arguments which way to vote. It was a case of active listening, discussing with Colette and then voting. I enjoyed engaging and contributing.
By the end day one 15 motions were debated and the opportunity to participate in workshops. My chosen workshop was the Global Health work of Physiotherapists and it was interesting to talk with CSP members who had volunteered in low resource or humanitarian settings across the globe and the issues they faced within their workplaces for supported secondments.
Over lunch, the opportunity presented itself to have a chat with Karen Middleton and Ash James and numerous other colleagues over lunch from across the Physiotherapy spectrum. Everyone was friendly and approachable. The networking was invaluable: helping to recognise and learn from each other’s unique views and experiences but also to recognise so much in common too.
21st June 2023 - Day 2 at ARC
On day 2, Colette, representing ACPOHE, spoke in support of DisAbility’s motion for the co-production and delivery of training to CSP members by CSP members who have a DisAbility, in highlighting the Equality Act 2010, reasonable adjustments and their implementation. This is a resource that ACPOHE are collaborating with Disability to create. The motion was passed with a 100 percent “yes” vote.
Attending was a positive enriching experience professionally and personally. I was proud to represent ACPOHE and encourage all members to consider being the professional network representative next year.
Pauline Austin
26 June 2023
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