Spirit of Safewards

Beyond the official scientific programme, we would like to bring the spirit of Safewards into the conference itself.
Our aim is to create small opportunities for connection, inspiration, and lived experience of the Safewards values – kindness, collaboration, and hope.

You can look forward to voluntary activities that will enrich the atmosphere of the conference and reflect the heart of Safewards in a light and engaging way.

Silent Auction – Share the Spirit of Safewards

The Silent Auction is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, generosity, and collaborative spirit of the international Safewards community.

We warmly invite all conference participants to donate an item connected to Safewards, mental health care, recovery, or compassionate practice. Your contribution might be a book, artwork, handmade item, educational resource, local specialty, or any unique object with a Safewards story behind it.

As an example, a signed copy of the book Safewards by Michael Löhr, Michael Schulz, and Andreas Nienaber will be among the auction items.

Throughout the conference, auction items will be displayed and participants will be able to place their bids quietly and at their own pace. At the end of the auction, the highest bidder for each item will take it home, while all proceeds will be donated to a charitable cause supporting mental health.

Whether you bring something simple or something extraordinary, every donation helps make a difference. Together, we can extend the Safewards philosophy beyond our wards and into the wider community – through kindness, generosity, and shared purpose.

Bring an item. Place a bid. Support a good cause.

If you would like to contribute an item, please bring it with you to the conference. Further practical information will be available at the registration desk

Calm Down Methods Gallery

Bring an idea. Share an experience. Inspire others.

As part of the 1st International Safewards Conference, we invite all delegates to contribute to a collaborative exhibition showcasing Calm Down Methods used in mental health services around the world.
Whether your team has created a calming box, sensory tool, relaxation resource, visual aid, comfort item, mindfulness exercise, or any other innovative approach that helps people regulate distress, we would love you to share it.

How to participate?

• Bring a physical example, photograph, or brief description of your Calm Down Methods.
• Display your contribution in our dedicated Calm Down Methods Gallery throughout the conference.
• Include name of your organization, country and contact so colleagues can learn from your experience.
• During networking breaks, delegates will have the opportunity to explore the gallery, exchange ideas, and discuss how these techniques are used in different settings.

Let’s create an inspiring display of ideas that demonstrates how small interventions can make a meaningful difference to patients‘ experiences.
We look forward to seeing your contributions and learning from one another!

The Participants section

is inspired by the Safewards intervention Know Each Other.

It is designed to help participants connect before and during the conference by sharing selected information such as their organisation, country, interests, favourite books, music and films, and a quote they have chosen to share.

Please note that only participants with a completed registration, including payment, who also gave their consent to share this information during registration are listed in this section.