Bristol Alliance, 13th May 09

First, a personal view of the day from Arthur: We had day long meeting, to which over 30 people turned up - and a number of people who are known to sympathise were unable to come. The morning focused on NICE gudelines, IAPT and the impact of PCT recommisioning in three different local PCTs. The afternoon was devoted to the impact of regulation and the choice we as counsellors and psychotherapists face about how we respond.

People were undoubtedly stirred up and energised. We were able to suggest that people who want to get further involved don't reinvent the wheel but plug into the wider Alliance network. There was considerable interest in further meeting(s). Professional Full Disclosure (PFD) received some very favourable comments from experienced practitioners, who hadn't yet heard of the work that the local group has been doing on this.

Something that is becoming apparent to me is that many practitioners only gradually take on board the importance of taking a stand on the issue of regulation. We are in a consciousness raising period and have to keep working at people within our local networks.


Els: I agree - I find that many practitioners are working very hard to earn a crust and do not necessarily have a lot of spare time and energy to engage with what is happening. Often people assume that it has nothing to do with them (or that it is inevitable) - I think this view is particularly prevalent amongst those in private practice, However, when people's awareness is raised and they become aware of the fact that HPC regulation will affect them too - they become energised. I feel in Bristol we now have a base from which to launch further events.

Sussex Alliance, 9 May 09

Congratulations! "Sussex Alliance" was born this afternoon (9 May 09) after a successful mini-conference over 4 hours this Sat pm.

Richard, Guy, myself and Andy spoke to a gathering of 25 with Tim also in attendance holding a strong admin side.

A few individuals would like to plug in to Alliance subgroups.

Suffice to say at this stage, there was a powerful sense of concern for the issues, a very healthy discussion and exploration and hopefully the beginnings of a local snowballing effect.

Thanks for the good wishes to those who sent
Best
Kevin B

Andy: Yes, it was a good afternoon and I'm now convinced this coal face work with practitioners is vital. Many coming from knowing nothing (some not having heard of the Alliance...) asking us why they haven't been consulted or why BACP isn't representing them etc. Lot of fear, exasperation and negativity but group moved towards activism by the end. They want to plan more events I think with groups they are connected to. Got a few signatories for the BACP letter as well.

Cheers to Richard, Guy, Kevin and Tim - I think we did well. I was chuffed with the responses to my first public speech on regulation. Might brave it again sometime.

Nicky: I just wanted to thank you all for Saturday so far we have had great feed back. Also some reasons why people did not attend, mostly people who believe regulation will not impact on their work at all. I would like to pass this on to Alliance as it would be good to be able to back up my concerns with them. So Again Thank You All very much

Someone at the event said: I have found reading the Janet’s accounts of HPC proceedings, whilst potentially depressing, incredibly helpful in being better able to articulate why it is that regulation does *not* serve to protect the public. The reality of regulation means having to draw up standards, which leads, precisely, to standardisation, which means that only those qualities which can be measured can be considered; the higher qualities of human care, consideration and love cannot be included. We might wish that regulation meant something different; the reality is that it can only harm people; and that includes everyone – both practitioners and their clients. If this is already true for doctors, nurses and hospital workers, then it must be doubly true for counsellors and psychotherapists.