Welcome to News and Events

Welcome to the News and Events page here at Mark Gray Associates. Now you can find courses and events that we will be attending, hosting or participating in.

Mark Gray Associates Ltd to cease trading in late July 2026

Mark Gray Associates will be closing down at the end of July after twenty one years of trading. It has not been an easy decision but  I will  be continuing as Mark Gray Training and Consultancy Services shortly. As a sole trader. Please continue to book courses as usual.

Changing the business model has two advantages it reduces the need to charge VAT and gives me more flexibility to  pay tax as part of my personal income, rather than through the business as well. Which means essentially I can afford to trade as a part time trader. I will honour all the limited companies commitments up to October this year.

Then the business will be fully wound up. The web site will close and a new domain and site will be set up in the next couple of months whilst I make the transition.

I’d firstly like to thank all my customers and partners for your loyalty and custom as I move towards retiring fully in future.

New Article Published In learning Disability Practice May 2026

Mark’s latest article on Emergency Preparedness and Support for Autistic people during Conflict: implications for Nurses. 

Was published today 7th May 2026 In Learning Disability Practice  this is the fourth article Mark has published in the Journal since 2012. Baaed on his recent experiences in Ukraine in 2024 it discusses the need for better preparation by Learning Disability and Mental Health Nurses to keep vulnerable people safe in the event of a potential conflict or war footing.

Demand means I wont be retiring just yet

I hit the magic 65 on the 7th March.  I had planned to retire . However, many people have asked where can they get CPD for their VRS roles that I provide.

The answer is unless we train an apprentice I don’t think all the courses will be available. So I’m revamping and extending the 2026 Course programme to ensure that many of you can get a final bite of the cherry before these courses go for good.

Please book early and chat if your local authority or NHS trust would prefer a bespoke in house training course.

To go to the  new course dates Click here Face to Face and on line Courses and Training 2026

Finishing  up our  Consultancy Partnership in Complex Care at Home

Mark Gray Associates teamed up with Caremark Nottinghamshire to develop Complex Care at home services in August 2025. This was an exciting venture for both parties.  With over ten years of  us working in partnership with Home Care Direct based in Derbyshire.  This new partnership is now drawing to an end in January 2026. The complex care  service is now up and running with two customers started at the end of 2025.

If you would like to find out more contact Caremark Nottinghamshire on 01623259779

If you would like support in setting up services why not contact us like Caremark have you wont regret it!

Other News Highlights for Mark Gray Associates 

SME Lead Learning Disabilities Nursing for ACER UK

Mark is  completing another year  continuing within  his new role as the SME lead in Learning Disabilities Nursing. This is for ACER UK working with the NMC.

This is final year of our consultancy which started in 2023 and  shortly finishes in 2026. This year the focus moves to developing OCSE’s for the overseas nursing programmes as well as completing more work on Learning Disabilities Examination Questions.

New Chair of Professional Standards

Mark is the New Chair of Professional Standards & Ethics Committee of the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network RWPN 

Mark took on the role in October 2024 and is looking forward to working with the Committee and management team over the next couple of years as it grows its membership and body of work.

 

Gemma Bromley Joins our Team of Associates

Gemma Bromley of Sight Scotland  joins us as a co- trainer on Brain Injury & sight Loss. The author of Half a Head which details her incredible recovery from serious brain injury to her current life today. Gemma made her debut with us online with the New Zealand Workshops in November 2024 and will be joining us on some of our on line and Face to face events in 2025. We are really looking forward to her involvement on these courses.

She brings a personal look at the challenges faced by people with severe head injuries and the on going issues that she still faces day to day. As well as detailing her own sight loss experiences both as a person who has experienced it but as professional working in the field with people who have sight loss and complex needs.

Case Management services Pages

Because we are  committed to shouting a bit more about our less publicised work with Individual clients and families and we now pleased to have permission to share our success stories. Mark Gray Associates are proud to introduce you to our new updated Case Management and Personalised Services Pages , to visit them and find out more  Click here