A welcome message from Andy Rhodes, OBE QPM, Service Director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, reflecting on this year's conference theme, the current reform landscape and the opportunity to turn national ambition into meaningful change for the policing workforce.
Welcome to the 2026 conference from Andy Rhodes OBE QPM
Welcome to the 2026 National Police Wellbeing Service Conference and Awards.
This year’s theme, 'From strategy to reality', feels particularly timely. Policing is entering a significant period of reform and, within that, there is a stronger national focus on the health and wellbeing of our workforce than we have ever seen before. The direction is clear: greater consistency, stronger standards, better prevention and earlier intervention, and support that reflects the realities of working in policing.
That gives us a real opportunity – but national ambition on its own will not improve somebody’s working life. Strategies, standards, investment and services only matter if they translate into something meaningful for the officer, member of staff or volunteer experiencing policing every day.
For me, that is what 'From strategy to reality' is about. It means using evidence to understand where the greatest risks and pressures are. It means being clearer about what people should be able to expect wherever they work, while recognising the importance of effective local delivery. It means supporting people earlier, not waiting until they reach crisis. And it means making sure that the services and resources we create are trusted, accessible and genuinely useful to the people they are intended for.
Across these two days, we will move deliberately from the big national picture towards that individual experience. We will look at reform, leadership, occupational health, workforce evidence, prevention and recovery, but we will also hear directly about the human difference good support can make. Just as importantly, we want to hear from you. The experience and insight in this room will help us understand what is working, where the gaps remain and what we need to do differently together.
We have made significant progress, but this next phase has to be about delivery and impact. My hope is that you leave this conference with new ideas, stronger connections and a clearer sense of the part each of us can play in turning national ambition into meaningful change for our people.
Thank you for being here, for contributing openly, and for the work you continue to do across policing.
Andy Rhodes OBE QPM
Service Director
National Police Wellbeing Service
Back to conference hub
For more information about the Oscar Kilo conference and awards, go back to hub homepage