Group Analysis North Annual Barbara Dick Memorial Lecture
Saturday 21 March 2026, 10am—3.10pm – in-person
The 2026 lecture will be presented by Antony Froggett
“Learning from Experience – some reflections on the difficulties of learning in life”
This lecture argues that the organising idea within group analysis might not be therapy (with its connotations of integration or repair) but the capacity to learn and to change through experience. Both Wilfred Bion and Carl Rogers wrote about learning from experience, but what do we mean by ‘experience’ and how does one learn from it? Sometimes we ‘know’ things, but this doesn’t change our behaviour or relationships with others. Like St Paul we are left thinking ‘I do not understand what I do’ (Romans 7:15). Learning is paradoxical. We often feel the most stupid while we are in the process of learning. The more we learn, the less we feel we know.
Following a welcome at 10am, from the Chair of GAN, Fiona Parker, the lecture and questions will be followed by lunch and then there will be a large group which will follow the theme of the lecture. The presentation will end with a brief closing address from the Chair of GAN before the GAN AGM which will run from 3.15pm – 4.15pm. Venue: Mercure Georgian House Hotel, Blackrod, Bolton, BL6 5RU.
Programme for the day
10.00 a.m. – 10.20 a.m. Coffee and registration
10.20 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. Welcome and domestics
10.30 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. Lecture and questions/discussion
12.00 p.m. – 1.15 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1.15 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. Large Group – exploring the theme of the lecture
2.30 p.m. – 2.50 p.m. Break
2.50 p.m. – 3.10 p.m. Plenary
3.15 p.m. – 4.15 p.m. GAN AGM – all welcome
To download the Annual Lecture leaflet please click here
To book a place please call 07792775301, or email bethan@groupanalysisnorth.com
FEES: GAN members £30.00, £75.00 for non-members and £10 for GAN students
