NACC Training & Development Forum 2019

NACC Training & Development Forum 2019: supporting care caterers in continued challenging times

The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Training & Development Forum returns to the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, on 9-11 October 2019.

As care caterers continue to be challenged by political and economic instability, the unique training event is more relevant and essential than ever.

With a clear objective to inform, update, support and inspire care catering professionals, the dynamic interactive event offers new perspectives, ideas and solutions on the latest innovations, challenges and guidelines to boost a business’ catering provision.

Delegates will enjoy and benefit from a diverse programme featuring a mix of relevant and uplifting speakers, training workshops, live culinary demonstrations, one-to-one supplier meetings and supplier exhibition.

Connecting with like-minded colleagues to share ideas and best practice and discuss the pressing issues is a valuable and popular part of the forum. Across the two-day schedule, there will be plenty of opportunities for delegates to interact during frequent networking and entertainment opportunities.

The expert keynote speakers set to inform and inspire include Mike Padgham, Owner of Saint Cecilia’s Services Ltd and Chair of the Independent Care Group, Vic Rayner, Executive Director of the National Care Forum and Caroline Bovey, Chair of the British Dietetic Association. The hot topics up for discussion include meeting increasing nutritional needs and managing dietary requirements on decreasing budgets, future proofing care against a backdrop of changing communities and expectations, social care updates, and the impact the ongoing uncertainty in UK politics could have on the care sector.

Training workshops:

With a choice of four practical, interactive workshops, delegates will gain essential guidance and insight to enhance their catering provision.

If I get dementia, will they serve me meat or wheat? Amanda Woodvine, Chief Executive, Vegetarian for Life, will focus on catering well and inclusively for people with different allergies, intolerances and religious or philosophical beliefs. This workshop will help delegates develop best practice and be mindful of the law when catering for specific dietary beliefs.
Developing pureed snacks, including afternoon tea, according to IDDSI requirements. The workshop by Rachael Masters, Senior Specialist Dietician, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, will include a presentation of preparing pureed snacks and developing an afternoon tea that is suitable for people in a care environment.
Do your residents always receive the correct level of support to drink and eat? If not, why not? Naomi Campbell RGN, Independent Hydration Nurse Consultant, Hydration Care Consultancy Ltd, will give an introduction to the new Hydration Care assessment tool ROC (reliance on carer), helping everyone understand the level and type of support a person needs from a carer to drink and eat as best they can and the associated risk of dehydration and poor food intake.
Good nutrition and hydration in dementia: solutions to provide person-centred nutritional care. Jane Murphy, Professor, Bournemouth University, will give an interactive session on providing good nutritional care for people with dementia. Jane will outline her research-informed framework and share a toolkit of resources.

Live Cookery Demonstrations:

A series of culinary demonstrations will inspire delegates with new recipes and techniques tailored for the needs of those in care settings, including:

Care Chef of the Year 2019, Martin McKee
Hydration and Nutrition snack time ideas to IDDSI level 3 & 4 – Jamie Clews, Key Account Manager, Robot Coupe
Enhancing flavour in healthcare – Sam Rain, Development Chef, HB Ingredients and Preston Walker, Director, Oak House Residential Home
Waste not, want not – Wayne Wright, Development Chef, Bidfood
Our Passion. Your Creation. Inspiration for your menus – Robin Dudley, Business Development Chef, Essential Cuisine

NACC Awards 2019:

A highlight of the NACC Training & Development Forum, The NACC Awards 2019 winners will be announced and celebrated at a glittering gala dinner on the evening of Thursday 10 October.

The coveted awards that recognise dedication, innovation, excellence and outstanding contributions in care catering include: Care Establishment of the Year; Meals on Wheels Award; Catering Team of the Year; Catering Manager of the Year; Our Care Catering Hero; Region of the Year; Pam Rhodes Outstanding Achievement Award; and National Chairman’s Award.

Neel Radia, national chair of the NACC, said: “The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) Training & Development Forum has never been so relevant or essential. As the UK's older population continues to grow, putting greater demand on the care sector, care caterers continue to be challenged by economic and political instability. Our forum offers vital support to care catering professionals. It gives them the opportunity to come together in the spirit of learning new skills, ideas and perspectives to take back to their workplace, and to engage with like-minded colleagues to share experiences and best practice.

“Our exciting and packed forum programme has been carefully designed to help navigate the varied challenges of catering for the elderly, vulnerable and young in care environments. From dementia and end of life care through to ongoing legislative changes, such as allergen awareness and the new International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), delegates will benefit from knowledge, guidance, support and camaraderie that will help them prepare for and embrace these changes.”