NWR National Conference 2022
“Insatiable Consumption”
Friday 2 to Sunday 4 September 2022
Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne
The theme for the 2022 NWR conference was wide-ranging and the topics reflect this: from conservation to campaigning, singing to sewing and wildlife to waste, something of interest for everyone. We were enlightened, entertained and enthused by our speakers and workshop leaders. And if all that isn’t enough – we were in the centre of the bustling, vibrant and historic city of Newcastle upon Tyne with its fantastic retail opportunities.
The Conference
The conference was held all day Saturday and Sunday morning. On Friday and Sunday afternoons there were optional wrap around events, a quiz was held on Friday evening and a celebratory dinner on the Saturday evening with after dinner speaker NWR Patron Marion Molteno.
Attending for the first time? We aim to make all those attending of the first time very welcome! Many comment how friendly the NWR conference is and how easy it is to meet others. But, we all know that it can be daunting attending an event for the first time so we have a special rendezvous point for ‘first timers’ to meet each other.
Calling all independent members! Independent member and NWR Trustee Gill Wignall is organises an ‘Independents Corner’ for you to meet up with others who are also there on their own.
Speakers
We heard from a diverse range of specially selected speakers with talks about property, conservation, sustainability and fashion, all relating to the theme ‘insatiable consumption’.
Workshops
The workshop sessions provided delegates with an opportunity to get immersed in a variety of subjects in smaller groups.
Wrap around events
Delegates explored Newcastle’s attractions with our wrap around events. They took place on Friday and Sunday afternoons and were optional.
We also listed other places of interest that delegates might like to visit if they are in the area for longer.
Charity book exchange
At NWR conferences, we suggest that everyone brings along a book and takes a different one home with them.
Many of our members enjoy a good read and helping charity so when a member of the conference planning group suggested a charity bookswap we thought this was an excellent idea. So how does it work?
We realise that as many as possible of you will be travelling by rail, and books can be heavy to carry, but you can bring as many books as you like – or can carry! Bring them to the bookswap table as soon as you can after arrival and that way we can quickly build up a decent bank of books. Then come back at any time over the weekend and see if you can find one – or more – books that you’d like to take home in exchange. You can visit the bookswap as many times as you wish. Any books left over at the end of the weekend will go to a charity, the charity chosen for the 2022 conference was Development Direct.
Development Direct is based in Northumberland. The charity cultivates sustainable global partnerships that result in mutual learning and benefits, with a focus on health and education for children, families, and communities. Using peer education local communities and schools help to promote health programmes in the UK and in developing countries. Every penny raised by the charity goes to their work – there are no administrative costs. The charity pays for the education of some children and young adults in Kenya who would otherwise not be able to receive any. Currently 18 youngsters are receiving this help
Comments about the NWR 2021 Conference
I enjoyed my first conference very much. The wrap arounds were great too. It was terrific to meet so many interesting women and I look forward to meeting them in Newcastle next year.
Truly enjoyable conference. Good to catch up with friends and meet new people. Attended on my own for the first time and felt very comfortable. Thank you everyone for all your hard work. Much appreciated.
Walking into hotel breakfast, alone, knowing no one, and people saw me and waved to me to join them – that’s NWR, thank you.
A great conference, welcoming and well organised.
Congratulations to the Conference Committee, Natalie and all the NWR staff for a great conference.
My first day at a conference and I really enjoyed it. All the speakers were excellent and day ran very smoothly