Polio survivors and experts unite at successful Health and Wellbeing Conference
6th July 2026
The British Polio Fellowship’s Health and Wellbeing Conference brought together polio survivors, carers, healthcare professionals, and researchers for a full day of learning, connection, and shared experience at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel in Elstree, Hertfordshire on Saturday 4 July.
Offered free to the British Polio Fellowship (BPF) polio community, the event drew delegates from across the UK for one goal: helping polio survivors live healthier, more independent lives.
Registration opened at 9am, with delegates welcomed over refreshments before the day’s sessions got underway. The morning began with an expert panel exploring the Optimal Clinical Pathway for polio survivors, giving the audience an opportunity to hear directly from the core development team, Mark Ishwood, BPF Patron and Member of the Senedd for the North Wales (2003 – 2026) and Trustee, Sue Brown.
A particularly moving highlight came in the “Lived Experience” session, when Patron, Kamran Malik and Moz Copestake shared their own personal polio experiences.
The conference offered two rounds of breakout sessions, allowing delegates to choose the topics most relevant to them.
In the first block, attendees could opt for a session on emotional wellbeing led by polio survivor, Hansa Khimji, or join Dr Gracie Dowling-Mardon, a GP, for practical advice on talking to your doctor about polio.
Following a buffet lunch and networking break, the second round of breakouts covered diet, healthy eating and wellbeing with Senior Specialist Dietitian Angela Reddy of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, or home adaptation for safety and independence, presented by Amanda Lawrence and Malcolm Rose of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s care and assessment services.
The afternoon turned toward research and forward planning. Dr Ao Wang, a Research Associate at Newcastle University, presented emerging findings on motor unit MRI in polio, exploring the journey “from electrical stimulation to voluntary recruitment.” This work offers a glimpse into the evolving science behind polio-related muscle function.
The day closed with a panel discussion on the future of services for polio survivors, giving attendees the opportunity to hear from and question Kripen Dhrona, Trustee Frances Quinn, Kamran Malik, and Ambassador Anne Wafula-Strike. Closing remarks and an informal networking session brought the conference to a close at 5pm.
Speaking after the event, Kripen Dhrona, Chief Executive of the British Polio Fellowship, said: “Days like this remind us exactly why we do what we do. Bringing polio survivors together with clinicians and researchers under one roof creates something you simply can’t replicate in a leaflet or a phone call: real conversations, real answers, and a real sense of community. I want to thank every speaker, delegate and member of my team who made today possible, and I’m already looking forward to building on it next year.”
Feedback from attendees captured the spirit of the day, confirming once again the value of the British Polio Fellowship bringing its polio community together in person.