Welcome to the 1st International Safewards Conference

“International Mutual Help Meeting: Networking and Collaboration”

Are you a “Safewards” person?

Do you believe that psychiatric care can be both safe and supportive – for patients, staff, and families alike? Do you value kindness, mutual respect, and teamwork in building ward cultures that reduce conflict and coercion?

If your answer is YES, then you belong here.

On 9–10 November 2026, the beautiful city of Prague, Czech Republic, will host the very first International Safewards Conference.

For more than ten years, Safewards has inspired people across the globe, changing the way wards are run and showing that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Now it’s time to bring those stories together, celebrate successes, and look forward to the future.

We are honoured that Professor Emeritus Len Bowers, the founder of Safewards, will open our gathering. Over two days you can look forward to inspiring keynote lectures, interactive workshops, scientific presentations, and – just as important – informal conversations, mutual support, and new friendships.

This is more than a conference. It is a meeting of hearts and minds, a chance to connect with people who share the same hopes for safer, more compassionate mental health care.

Welcome to the 1st International Safewards Conference – Prague 2026!

We’re delighted to invite you to beautiful Prague for the very first global Safewards gathering. This is our chance to swap stories, share ideas, and learn from each other about making psychiatric care safer and kinder for everyone.

Over two days, we’ll connect, be inspired, and hopefully enjoy a little fun along the way.

We feel privileged to host this special event and will do our very best to make it a success.

Tomas Petr and Lenka Brezinova

Czech Republic
Centre for Mental Health Care Development