Taking time to unplug

So, I’m home and back at work after Comms Unplugged. This was my third time attending this unique communications and wellbeing event.

As always, in the run up to Comms Unplugged, I found it quite hard to describe. I tend to default to calling it a communications festival. But this definition doesn’t quite work and leads to people assuming you’re drinking and dancing the whole time. If only.

It’s not quite a retreat either. While you do unplug – take a break from your social channels and work emails, there’s not a ban on electronic devices.  

In actual fact, you can log CPD points with both the CIPR and PRCA for the event, which makes it more like training or a conference. But in a field.

Maybe, we’ll leave the badge to one side!

Once again, I soaked up my three days at Unplugged. I left it feeling relaxed and refreshed, benefitting from connections old and new, and having learned a new trick or two.  

There are so many things to take away from Unplugged each year, but a couple of highlights for me this year were:

Lauren Castle’s session on being inspired by inclusion. As the name suggests, this session helped make inclusion a topic we should embrace not fear. Lauren set the scene brilliantly, and then introduced some fab activities to help us consider inclusion through a different lens.  

I was particularly impressed by Lauren’s simple explanation of intersectionality. This is a word that people often find thorny and a topic which people consider gnarly. Lauren showed why this needn’t be the case.

Kevin McNamara, CEO of Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust, gave us a brilliant insight into the work of a CEO, and how communications can help aid this. We then considered how communications teams could support CEOs and how CEOs could help support their comms teams.  

It was pleasing to see that the communicators and Kevin had a similar view. I found Kevin’s simple, clear style a breath of fresh air – fitting given we were in a tent in a field. His desire for clarity, calmness, credibility, consistency and a willingness to challenge made complete sense.  

It was an insight to hear from Peter Fleming. He’s a former council leader of 18 years, until the 2023 local elections. He said some similar things to Kevin and helped us understand the role of a council leader.

If the above isn’t enough, then I’d add sunrise swims, great food and drink, mindfulness sessions and exploring the Dorset scenery to the list of things that make Comms Unplugged a must visit event for the communicator looking to expand their knowledge and broaden their horizons.  

Hearing from your peers about their relatable issues and challenges is reassuring. And the advice to leave the things you can’t control and the issues weighing you down at the doorstep, is worth remembering. This time-poor human completely agrees.  

Thanks to Sally Northeast, Georgia Turner and Darren Caveney for organising the event. Thanks also to the sponsors who make it affordable.