VRA conference 2026 recap - vocational rehabilitation through every work transition
Even a heatwave couldn't stop the annual VRA conference from happening!
The Vocational Rehabilitation Association's annual conference took place on 25 June 2026 at Broadway House in London, with many delegates also joining online due to the heatwave, Kysalis included.
While team members Katie and Leigh were set to head to London, the weather and travel guidelines kept them at the Krysalis head office where they joined the conference from afar via Zoom.
The conference explored how vocational rehabilitation supports people across the different transitions that shape working life, from entering employment to returning after illness, managing health changes, and preparing for retirement.
Important discussions
Opening the conference, Johnny Timpson - VRA patron - encouraged delegates to talk about vocational rehabilitation and to use social media to help raise its profile. His message was clear: the more the sector speaks about the value of vocational rehabilitation, the more widely it will be understood.
In a changing world of work, this visibility matters. Krysalis is always keen to discuss vocational rehabilitation, as it enables people to participate in meaningful work, remain in employment where possible, and access the right support at the right time, irrespective of their illness or injury.
The conference programme reflected the whole of vocational rehabilitation practice - sessions considered key points across the working lifespan, including young people entering employment, people returning after career breaks or health challenges, men's health, menopause, and retirement.
Early intervention is key. 
Deputy Chief Executive at RAND Europe, Christian van Stolk
Van Stolk spoke about supportnig young people into work, revealing a striking statistic that 60% of 16- to 24-year-olds have never had a job. This highlights the need for employers, educators, and clinicians to work together so that young people are not left behind at the start of their working lives.
Another powerful session focused on lived experience came from occupational therapist Sara Grimshaw and brain injury survivor Jake Cooper, who sustained serious injuries in a road traffic collision at age 22.
Jake's experience highlighted the complex relationship between trauma, identity, recovery, and work. It was clear after his accident that he couldn't return to his previous job as an electrician, but through vocational rehabilitation with an OT, using practical tools and individualised support, Jake was able to begin a career as a self-employed personal trainer. He now trains others with similar injuries, building confidence and community in a role that is now meaningful to him.
Positive reminders
Other sessions focused on workplace support around prostate cancer, menopause, return-to-work pathways, and retirement as an occupational transition. Together, these topics showed how vocational rehabilitation can contribute to healthier, more inclusive workplaces by helping people stay connected to work through periods of change.
For people living with brain injury, neurological conditions, or serious illness, work can be closely linked to independence, purpose, routine, self-esteem, and social connection. These sessions are a reminder of the positive effect vocational rehabilitation has when it is person-centred.
Thank you to the VRA for adapting quickly so that delegates could access the day both in person and online.
For the Krysalis team, joining virtually still offered valuable insight into the current conversations shaping vocational rehabilitation, and we are always glad to raise the flag for such an important practice.
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