#NACC2026
Join us on 14 - 15 October 2026 at Hilton St George's Park, Burton Upon Trent
The Future of Care Catering
Starts Here
6 Engaging presentations that challenge perspectives
From elite sport to exceptional care: building high-performing teams under pressure
Sports Pychologist
What can care home leaders learn from the psychology behind Premier League success and international sport?
Drawing on his work with Brentford FC, former England manager Gareth Southgate, elite athletes and high-performing teams, leading sports psychologist Michael Caulfield will explore the principles that unite successful teams - whether they're competing on the world stage or delivering outstanding care every day.
Through powerful stories from the dressing room and practical insights from years spent working alongside some of sport's most respected leaders, Michael will examine the challenges today's care home managers face: inspiring buy-in across diverse teams, developing confident leaders, nurturing talent, and creating a culture where individuals put collective success ahead of personal agendas.
The session will also explore how organisations can equip newly promoted managers with the leadership skills they need, encourage experienced professionals to embrace continuous learning, and sustain high performance through periods of change, staff turnover and increasing operational pressures.
This engaging and thought-provoking conversation will demonstrate that while the environments may differ, the foundations of high-performing teams remain the same - clear purpose, trust, effective communication and leadership that enables people to thrive.
If AI can’t find you, you don’t exist: the new reality for care providers
AI is already changing how families choose care providers - but not in the way most organisations expect. Instead of browsing websites, the next generation is turning to AI platforms to ask direct questions such as, “What’s the best care home near me?”
These platforms generate instant recommendations based on fragmented data across the internet - including reviews, listings, content, and reputation signals - not just your website.
This creates what is known as your AI Shadow: the version of your organisation that AI presents to the world.In this session, Sachin Parmar will explore how AI is already shaping decisions in the care sector, why many providers are unknowingly being misrepresented, and the practical steps you can take to influence your AI Shadow - ensuring your organisation is accurately positioned, trusted, and chosen.
This is not about future trends. It is about what is happening now - and how to remain visible in a rapidly changing landscape.
Beyond the rota: what care teams carry, and what leaders can do about it
In this session, Sarah opens with a candid keynote on what mental health at work really feels like, drawing on lived experience and real stories to show how life outside work shows up inside it. She then chairs a lively panel conversation exploring the human life cycle at work, leaving attendees with practical, honest insight they can act on the moment they leave the room.
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Different minds at the table: understanding neurodiversity in care
AuDHD Speaker, Comedian and Coach
Care settings thrive on understanding people, yet many professionals lack confidence in supporting neurodivergent colleagues, residents and families.
In this engaging keynote, autistic ADHD speaker and comedian Suzi Payton combines lived experience, humour and practical insight to challenge misconceptions about autism and ADHD.
Delegates will leave with a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, greater confidence in recognising and discussing neurodivergence, and practical ways to create more inclusive, supportive care environments where both staff and those receiving care can flourish.
A Canadian Perspective on Care Catering - What can we learn?
Director of Quality, Nutrition and Food Service, Seasons Care Dietitian Network - Canada
Direcotr of New Developments and Special Projects, Seasons Care Dietitian Network - Canada
Stacey Scaman and Twinkle Patel bring an international perspective to the NACC Forum, sharing how Canada's Nursing Home sector (known as Long Term Care in Canada) is transforming nutrition and food service.
Drawing on over 40 years of combined experience, they will explore the legislation related to food and nutrition standards, quality frameworks that shape Canadian nutrition practice, and examine emerging challenges including workforce pressures, rising costs, resident expectations and innovation.
Delegates will leave with strategies, fresh ideas and insights to strengthen care catering in an evolving Seniors Care sector.
Hospices today: services, challenges, and the role of palliative care
This presentation provides an overview of Hospice UK and the role hospices play in supporting people with life-limiting illnesses. It explores the purpose of palliative care, the services hospices provide to patients and families and the current challenges facing the sector, including funding pressures, staffing shortages and increasing demand. The presentation also examines what is currently happening within UK hospices and how these changes are shaping the future of end-of-life care.
Beyond Compliance: Natasha’s Law and the Future of Food Allergy Safety
Beyond Compliance: Natasha’s Law and the Future of Food Allergy Safety
Food allergy safety is not just about compliance - it’s about protecting lives. This powerful and essential masterclass brings together Tanya and Nadim Laperouse, whose tireless campaigning following the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha led to one of the most significant changes in UK food safety legislation.
Delegates will gain a clearer understanding of current expectations, emerging challenges and where greater consistency and vigilance are still needed. Tanya and Nadim will also share insight into the wider movement for change, highlighting how awareness, education and continued advocacy are shaping the future of allergen safety.
Since 2021, Natasha’s Law has transformed allergen labelling for pre-packed foods for direct sale, closing a critical gap and improving safety for millions of people living with food allergies. But legislation is only part of the story. This session will provide a vital update on how the law is working in practice, the progress made across the sector and the ongoing work to drive further improvements in food safety and transparency.
Are you up to date on allergen safety? You will leave fully up to date, with strengthened confidence in your approach to compliance and a renewed commitment to ensuring allergen safety is embedded into everyday practice - not just as a requirement, but as a responsibility.
Wild Meat - Field to Fork
This session will give you a better understanding of our countryside, how best to support it and how to utilise wild meat within your menus.
4 Educational Masterclasses
The case for plant-rich foods and how to get it right
Discover how plant-rich diets can play a vital role in improving health outcomes, supporting sustainability and enhancing food provision in care settings.
Led by Tanya Haffner RD, this practical masterclass explores the evidence behind plant-rich nutrition and provides clear guidance on how to implement it successfully.
Delegates will learn how to meet BDA nutrition and hydration standards, create appealing and balanced dishes and use behavioural strategies such as choice architecture to encourage healthier, more sustainable choices.
This session offers a powerful combination of insight and practical application, equipping attendees with the tools and confidence to drive meaningful change within their organisations.
Managing blood sugars in care homes
This Interactive workshop displays Care Uks approach to managing blood sugars and the importance of doing so for all residents whilst breaking some of the myth around “diabetic diets”. The workshop will look at different food groups, have games and tasters to demonstrate how to best manage blood sugars for resident wellbeing without singling out any individuals with diabetes and taking a whole home approach
Elevating care through food with a variety of Cookery Demonstrations
“our of hours” IDDSI
In this engaging and highly practical session, delegates will gain valuable insight into how to create dishes that balance nutrition, flavour and cost-efficiency - all within the real-world constraints of care catering.
Drawing on her competition-winning experience and her role as a development chef, Ilona will share techniques for maximising flavour, working with seasonal ingredients and adapting meals to suit a wide range of needs, including texture-modified diets and dementia-friendly dining.
More than just a demonstration, this is a chance to see how simple ideas - done exceptionally well - can transform everyday menus.
Attendees will leave inspired, with practical tips, fresh ideas and renewed confidence to elevate their own food offer -creating meals that residents not only need, but genuinely look forward to.
The Versatility of JimJams in Care Catering
Creating healthier, great tasting recipes from snacks through to dessert.
Founder, JimJams
Discover how JimJams No Added Sugar, Nut Free chocolate products can bring versatility to care menus. Kevin will demonstrate a range of simple, cost-effective recipe ideas, from snacking to desserts and IDDSI friendly options, designed to enhance resident enjoyment, encourage greater food intake and support person-centred catering.
