The 2025 Nidotherapy Workshop was held at the NIDUS-UK Advice and Training Centre between 25th and 27th September, 2025. 30 people attended. Reports were presented about the development of nidotherapy in the UK (Horton Rehabilitation Services), US, India, Sweden, Australia and Denmark, and how its management had expanded from the most severely ill to the relatively mild application in those with personality difficulty. A significant part of the programme was devoted to examination of the Valdo Calocane case of the murder of two Nottingham University students and a caretaker, and a consensus report was send to the Calocane Inquiry Team after the meeting. It emphasized the need for a good personal focused assessment and continuity in mental health services. This point was emphasised by Professor Tim Kendall in describing the early results of the Neighbourhood Pilot studies in six centres in England.

 

The first results of the Nottinghamshire Environmental Village Project were also presented. These showed a strong relationship between environmental satisfaction and social function, social inclusion and quality of life, but further details the effects of nidotherapy were still awaited. An illustrated account of a highly original rehabilitation service based on a barge in the River Thames showed that nidotherapy could be practised in every setting and without the need for the formal assessment of suitability and risk. A harrowing account followed of a patient in London who had been sidelined from care for reasons of personality disorder, despite this being unacceptable in NICE guidelines.

 

Presentations on Galenic syndromes, sleep and personality, and diagnostic reluctance in child psychiatry were given on the final day, ending with a clarion presentation by Patricia Casey on how to engage with the media. We also had the luxury of a concert aria with Victoria and Matt to allow all to unwind and a dinner at the Staunton Arms where there was a curious drumming of feet.