FHT Training Congress Success

What a wonderful event! And such amazing feedback from everyone who attended. It really was a privilege to be invited to be part of the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) 50th Anniversary Training Congress and Exhibition. Here are a few personal highlights from the weekend.

Celebrating being a member of the FHT

The FHT Members’ Lounge was the venue for a drinks reception with uplifting speeches by John French, Chairman of FHT and Jennifer Wayte, President of FHT. Their words made us all feel very proud to be members of the FHT and created a sense of team spirit which is so necessary in our field. As an added bonus we heard about members who are working with Olympic teams and even had the chance to hold the Olympic torch.

Meeting the staff at FHT

With their lime green polo shirts, the FHT staff were always on hand and happy to answer any questions. So often, they are simply names on a letter or in the International Therapist magazine but now we can put faces and smiles to the names. When I asked one member of staff how she felt about the weekend she said she is planning to work even harder on behalf of FHT members because she was so impressed by the dedication and commitment of all the therapists attending. Below are just two people who deserve a big pat on the back, Marketing Executives, Jade Rimmell and Kiah Tulloch.

Sharing ideas with local support group co-ordinators

Toni McGloin, joint co-ordinator at the Chichester Local FHT Support Group, and I were delighted to be invited to a workshop led by Jon Critoph, Outreach Manager, and to meet other local FHT group co-ordinators from all over the country. We heard some good ideas for speakers, shared some tips and experiences including a great way of introducing each by sitting in birthday order. And it’s always fun to meet up with our closest group at Waterlooville and plan ideas for workshops or meetings which we can run together in the future.

Meeting fellow therapists

It was a joy to be able to meet with past students such as Louise Davies and discover how her therapy business is moving forward.

And to be able to say ‘hello’ in person to therapists like Mariette Lobo who I was so pleased to meet after several years of communication through social media.

Delivering my Positive Touch for Children seminar

Since writing my book Healing Touch for Children, using creative touch with children is one of the favourite topics and it is always such fun to run an interactive session where we can all pretend to be six again and experience the benefits of positive touch for children. We all laughed as we enjoyed working with story massage and drawing on each other’s backs.

Sharing Advanced Indian Head Massage Techniques

My workshop was fully booked with enthusiastic Indian Head Massage therapists, which was rewarding. We discussed how Indian Head Massage techniques can be so varied and taught in different ways. The time flew by and everyone agreed that they are had learnt many new techniques and developed more confidence in using their skills in this wonderful therapy. At the invitation of one of the therapists, I am planning to run a similar workshop in their part of the country.

Chatting to other FHT course providers

As well as seminars and lectures, there was an exhibition with some special show offers on products and courses. How lucky we were to have so many companies in one area – mind you, it still took me several hours to walk around the exhibition. I enjoyed long and very interesting discussions with the representatives from Jing Advanced Massage Training Institute, Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council and Ayurveda Pura, as well as talking to Nikke Ariff about the benefits of facial reflexology.

FHT Accredited training courses

If you are interested in attending my FHT accredited short courses in Positive Touch for Children or Advanced Indian Head Massage Techniques then please contact me.