Leanne looks back on her experience, takeaways and learnings from the EASPD Conference.
In October, Leanne, Operations Manager in Highland, travelled to Turin, Italy, to attend the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) Conference. The Conference theme, “Empowering families, enabling self-determination: rethinking support at every life stage,” examined the critical intersections between family life and disability services. Over two days of speakers, seminars, and networking events, the conference explored how family policies across Europe shape caregiving responsibilities and how support services can collaborate more effectively with families to promote self-determination and well-being. Discussions highlighted strengths-based alliances between services and families with a focus on key life transitions, and the needs of caregivers and persons with disabilities as they age.
Leanne was supported to attend the conference through Carr Gomm’s International Collaborations Global Ambassador programme. The programme, which is open to staff of all levels of the organisation, allows individuals to participate in international exchanges, conferences and study visits to expand their knowledge and skills, and bring valuable learning back to Carr Gomm.
Leanne shares her experience of the trip below, along with her key learnings and takeaways from the EASPD conference:
“Attending the EASPD conference in Turin this October was both inspiring and motivating, offering fresh perspectives on how we support individuals and families. The theme, “Empowering families, enabling self-determination: Rethinking support at every life stage,” aligns closely with our values at Carr Gomm, and it was a privilege to represent our organisation.
Travelling alone pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to connect more with others. I engaged in conversations I might have missed and met some truly lovely people. It was great to hear about the work being done by organisations from Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia, each bringing unique approaches to supporting individuals and families.
One of the standout sessions for me was the workshop “Who cares for the young carers.” It highlighted the challenges young carers face and offered practical insights into how we can better support them in our communities. I was especially proud to see Scotland’s legislation around young carers recognised as a positive example, demonstrating how policy can play a vital role in identifying carers and ensuring they receive the support they need.
Beyond the sessions, the opportunity to share experiences and learn from others was invaluable. I left Turin feeling inspired and motivated to strengthen our support systems and advocate for people to make choices and have control over their lives at every stage.
For anyone working in social care, disability services, or community support, I highly recommend exploring EASPD’s work. The conference was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we learn, reflect, and collaborate.” – Leanne, Global Ambassador
We wish to express our thanks to EASPD for providing a travel grant, which made this opportunity possible.
Look out for more collaborations with EASPD and more international learning trips from our Global Ambassador over the coming months. These initiatives will not only broaden our horizons but also strengthen our commitment to learning and growth within our community and further afield.
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