A Month of Energy, Learning & Inspiration
Our Unleash Your Potential events on 18th and 25th November were truly something special, two days filled with connection, curiosity and a real buzz for growth across Nottinghamshire Primary Care. From the moment attendees stepped into the venue, the atmosphere felt warm, open, and full of possibility. Conversations sparked easily, and people arrived ready to make the most of the day.
Across both dates, the energy was electric. Colleagues from across PCNs mingled, swapped ideas, discovered new tools, and reflected on their own development. Workshops were buzzing, the keynote drew the whole room in, and people left each event smiling, some energised, some reflective, all feeling a little more confident about their next steps. It was everything we hoped for and more.
Our NATH team also had the joy of connecting with so many of you. We loved hearing your experiences, answering questions about development pathways, and watching people get excited about apprenticeships, training and workplace support. It’s always a privilege to meet you in person and feel the genuine passion across our workforce.
Workshop & Training Provider Highlights
Each workshop provider brought something unique, from practical skills to mindset shifts, and their stalls became lively hubs of conversation throughout the day. Here’s what each brought to the Unleash experience:
Erica Farmer – Keynote Speaker & “AI for the Average Joe”
Erica’s presence brought a real spark to the room. Her keynote speech and her workshop, AI for the Average Joe, broke down artificial intelligence into accessible, everyday concepts that made the topic feel exciting instead of overwhelming. Delegates described her sessions as inspiring, eye-opening and refreshingly down-to-earth, opening new perspectives on the future of Primary Care.
[I'm going to] try to use AI more for repetitive admin tasks, try Co-pilot, ask manager how to use it and explore policies of using AI in our organisation.
AI workshop attendee
Access Training – Customer Service & Communication Skills
Access Training welcomed attendees to their stall with friendly conversations and plenty of practical advice about career pathways and learning options. Their workshop on Customer Service and Communication Skills focused on developing confidence in patient interactions, navigating challenging situations and building rapport in busy Primary Care environments. Delegates appreciated how relatable, grounded and actionable the session was, with many taking away techniques they could use immediately in their daily roles.
EMA Training – Digital Skills
The EMA team provided a vibrant, hands-on learning space where attendees could explore digital tools, ask questions and experience practical demonstrations. Their Digital Skills workshop was one of the most popular sessions, helping people master essential Word and Excel functions, improve digital confidence and find quicker, smarter ways of working. Many attendees shared that they learned tips they would use every single day, making this workshop a standout for practical value.
I will be a lot quicker and effective with Excel & Word.
Digital Skills workshop attendee
Michele Tuttle – Time Management
Michele delivered an engaging and reflective workshop on Time Management, equipping attendees with tools to prioritise tasks, reduce feelings of overwhelm and work more intentionally. Her session encouraged people to rethink how they structure their day and to adopt small habits that make a big difference. Delegates valued the mix of relatable examples, simple techniques and the space to reflect on what time management means in fast-paced Primary Care settings.
[I will] implement strategies from time management training such as delegating, prioritising and blocking time on the calendar, make time from lunch break.
Time Management workshop attendee
Sarah & Minali – Care Navigation
Sarah and Minali, led a thoughtful and interactive workshop on Care Navigation, helping staff understand patient pathways, community resources and how to confidently guide patients to the right place at the right time. Their session highlighted the importance of the first point of contact and the impact it has on patient experience and system flow. Attendees shared how much they appreciated the clarity, practical scenarios and supportive teaching style.
[I will] be more aware of care navigation and what is available for the patients.
Care Navigation workshop attendee
MBKB – Emotional Intelligence & Behavioural Styles
MBKB offered a reflective and engaging workshop on Emotional Intelligence and Behavioural Styles, giving participants a deeper understanding of how emotions influence communication, teamwork and patient interactions. The session balanced self-awareness, workplace behaviour and practical strategies to support resilience and relationship-building. Delegates found the workshop inclusive, engaging and full of insights that resonated both personally and professionally.
[I will implement] identifying behaviour styles and using that to understand people and their patterns both patients and staff.
Emotional Intelligence & Behavioural Styles workshop attendee
Ginger Training
Ginger Training brought an engaging and professional presence to the event, offering attendees a warm space to explore practical development opportunities. Their stall quickly became a hub for colleagues wanting to strengthen their day-to-day skills, and the Ginger team took time to have meaningful conversations about common workplace challenges and how training can support staff to work smarter, not harder.
Ginger Training’s contribution helped reinforce the broader theme of the event, empowering people with practical skills that make everyday work feel more manageable, more efficient, and more fulfilling.
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University brought a vibrant and welcoming presence to the event. Their stall quickly became a popular stop for colleagues interested in exploring apprenticeships, progression routes and opportunities to advance their clinical or non-clinical careers.
The NTU team spent the day engaging in meaningful conversations, answering questions about career pathways, opportunites. They highlighted flexible learning models, part-time options and degree routes aligned with Primary Care workforce needs, making it easier for staff to picture what’s possible for their future.
Their contribution added real value to the networking space, giving attendees the chance to discover academic routes they may not have previously considered.
Nottingham College
Nottingham College brought great energy to the event with a friendly, interactive stall that encouraged people to stop, chat and explore available training opportunities. Their team took the time to understand attendees’ roles and aspirations, offering guidance on courses ranging from functional skills to vocational programmes that support progression in Primary Care.
They played an important role in strengthening the event’s networking offer, helping colleagues identify development pathways suitable for their experience, interests and future goals. Many attendees left their conversations with the Nottingham College team feeling more informed and confident about the next steps in their personal development journey.
What You Told Us – Feedback From the Day
We received 45 responses across both events, and the feedback was enthusiastic, thoughtful and incredibly appreciated. Here’s what stood out:
Many attendees described the events in two words as informative, motivating, relaxing, inspiring, knowledgeable and organised. Several also highlighted the great venue, relaxed environment and useful networking opportunities. These reflections beautifully capture the balance of learning and connection that the events aimed to provide.
When asked what they enjoyed most, attendees shared overwhelmingly positive experiences. Many praised the workshops, particularly the AI session, Digital Skills, Emotional Intelligence, and Time Management workshops, with several describing them as “brilliant”, “engaging” and “incredibly useful”. Others appreciated the chance to see colleagues they don’t often meet in person, highlighting the value of cross-PCN networking. The keynote session received consistent praise for being inspiring and thought-provoking. Attendees also shared how well organised the days were, noting the welcoming environment, smooth transitions and even the lunch and refreshments, which were a lovely surprise for many!
I would LOVE to do one of these events every year.
Absolutely brilliant. Really valued the event being in person as I feel I get so much more (and learn more) from these types of events.
GREAT EVENT Please provide more sessions for non clinical staff :)
It was the first training that I have been to in a long time that was well paced and extremely engaging. Thank you to the brilliant speakers.
Super organised, well stocked resources and networking opportunities.
I believe that learning at events like this where it is social, interesting, relevant and also we get to choose the topics most needed by us personally is the way forward.
Several respondents said they left with new skills they could use immediately, renewed motivation, and a sense of connection to the wider Primary Care community. This feedback reflects exactly why events like this matter — they create space for growth, reflection and shared learning.
Explore Our Upcoming Events
We have a few more CPD events you can attend before the end of 2025 and a couple planned for the new year. In January 2026 we are taking a short break from delivering our usual number of events so we can focus on our annual plan for 26/27, bringing you quality training that meets your development needs... watch this space!
Got a training need? Chat with us about your development options
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