26 Oct 2021
More than 100 vets and nurses attended the 2021 StreetVet Conference in London, which featured a packed programme of CPD, interactive sessions and a surprise appearance from patron Clare Balding.
Joshua Silverwood
Job Title
The StreetVet conference made a triumphant return to the live format with more than 100 vets and nurses attending the annual volunteer gathering.
Held in London at 3 Pancras Square on 22 October, the event featured a packed day of CPD featuring workshops and seminars and concluded with a surprise appearance from award-winning broadcaster and StreetVet patron Clare Balding.
Hosted by Ebony Escalona and Rory Cowlam, around 80 volunteers attended in person, with another 50 volunteers taking part via a bespoke online events platform.
Both audiences found plenty to enjoy in a programme featuring Vicky Lipscomb from the RVC, Vetlife’s Rosie Allister and Nick Edwards from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Dean Lester Coleman Volunteer of the Year Awards, which were won by Becky Castle and Sarah Matthews.
A lively interactive media training session featuring actors from The Veterinary Defence Society and a presentation from the developers of a new well-being platform The Kite Program also featured.
StreetVet has been provided with its own version of The Kite Program’s well-being app, which was launched at the conference and offers mindfulness, guidance and well-being advice to help support the mental health of volunteers.
StreetVet is a national charity, aimed at providing care for the animals of those experiencing homelessness, and now offers support in 16 cities across the UK.
The charity was founded in 2016 by vets Jade Statt and Sam Joseph – both of whom attended the conference and fielded questions from delegates during a panel discussion in the afternoon.
Jade Statt said: “The purpose of our annual conference is to thank each and everyone of our volunteers and supporters for making the service we provide possible, and to celebrate their contribution.
“By bringing like-minded compassionate people aligned in their ethos and values together, positive energy is created and passions reignited. StreetVet conference is, without a doubt, my favourite event of any year.”
