Dr Alex George, former A&E now TV doctor, best-selling author and Youth Mental Health Ambassador for 10 Downing Street, has been confirmed in a stellar line up of keynote speakers. 

The event is expected to draw the attention of hundreds of UK teachers, practitioners and leaders across education, health and sport amid a crisis in children’s health which is being further exacerbated due to a cost-of-living emergency. Dr Alex George will join CEO of the Youth Sport Trust Ali Oliver MBE on stage to discuss how the power of PE, sport and play can improve child mental health. 

Data released by the NHS found that the number of children in England needing treatment for serious mental health problems has risen by 39% in a year and referrals have now alarmingly passed the 1 million mark. The Youth Sport Trust hopes to highlight through the event that a shift in focus is needed from cure to prevention in a bid to tackle the pervading crisis. 

Alongside Dr Alex George, key speakers include Arshay Cooper, rower, Benjamin Franklin award-winning author and protagonist of the critically acclaimed film ‘A Most Beautiful Thing’. Zach Weston, clinician and business leader serving as the CEO for the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) in Ottawa, Canada, will also be speaking. Zach will share international best practice by exploring the principles of Canada’s 24-hour movement model which is helping to improve inactivity. 

Across the rest of the day, a ‘Question Time’ style debate will take place with a star-studded panel to discuss the big questions impacting education, as well as a host of workshops which take a deep dive into how the power of PE, sport and play can be leveraged. The Conference will also have a large number of exhibitor stands and live networking sessions in its exhibition hall which is sponsored by Sports Directory UK. 

The conference is sponsored by Ortus Energy with supporting sponsorship from Complete P.E, Enrich Education, Kingwood and Teach Active. The full agenda can be found at www.youthsporttrust.org/conference-2023-agenda. To book tickets, visit https://www.youthsporttrust.org/conference-2023