Spaces of Belonging – SPPA Gathering 2026

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The gathering explores how social pedagogy can serve as a unifying practice framework across the lifespan, strengthening relational practice, creativity, participation, and human dignity in diverse settings.

It takes place from 2-3 September 2026. On-site accommodation is available from 1 September.

  • If you are an SPPA member, log in to the membership website and access your profile to find the access code that reveals the discounted tickets for members.
  • Limited on-site accommodation is available, which can be booked with the ticket to attend the gathering.

Getting there

  • Address: Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, Eynsham Road, Farmoor, OX2 9NJ.
  • Transport: For arrival by public transport, travel to Oxford railway station, then take a 15-minute bus ride and a short walk. For international arrivals, the nearest airports are Heathrow and Gloucestershire, both ca. 1 hour from the site.

Contact

  • If you have any questions, please contact: conference@sppa-uk.org
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The preliminary programme

View the preliminary programme below or download it here.

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Explore the subthemes for this year’s gathering!

Contributions to the gathering in the form of presentations, workshops, creative demonstrations, or practice-based reflections seek to illuminate, question, or expand the role of social pedagogy within and across different fields across one or more of the following themes:

Explorations of storytelling, performance, visual arts, music, or craft-based practice that foster expression, participation, or human connection.

Practice that brings together social pedagogy and eco-social perspectives through outdoor learning, nature-based activities, or environmental stewardship, fostering connection, resilience, and ecological responsibility.

Approaches involving therapy animals, care farms, equine-assisted learning, or other forms of relational practice with animals.

Innovative models of community-led organisations or enterprises that foster participation, shared responsibility, and collective flourishing.

Examples of practice that meaningfully integrate social pedagogy with restorative practice, trauma-informed approaches, youth work, education, social work, therapeutic models, or other disciplines.