30 Years of the Association of Reflexologists

30 years of excellence in our hands yes while I was doing my training which I finished in 1983 there was already talk of setting up an association so that when it did start those of us who had been there at that time became the original members the reason why it was set up was that they were already beginning to feel the need to become more professional so they could be recognized as proper therapists the association of reflexologists has been supporting informing and inspiring reflexologists for the last 30 years it was set up in 1984 by a group of enthusiastic reflexologists with the ambitious goal of establishing a set standard of training and to promote the positive effects of reflexology right well I actually joined the association in 1985 so it was in its very early years and um I was so impressed by the enthusiasm by the camaraderie by the caring of all the people so it was my privilege to be steering the association through its early years and um then I um got together very powerful board we already had a very good well it wasn't a board in those days it was an executive committee and um so then we set up the um Council and well then you know we started to um build the the regional Network get taking reflexology out into exhibitions um setting up standards for the training of reflexologists and um setting up the whole schools in 1991 a photocopied newsletter first appeared this was quickly upgraded to a printed Journal full of insight and information a year later the publication was given the title of Reflections and it continues to be offered to members today both in printed online download and audio formats in 1993 the first a practition course had been established where students were examined by representatives of the association as well as by the school itself during this decade a radical change took place within the association the organization evolved from being run by volunteers to having its own office based in taon with a small but committed group of Staff the AO practitioner exam became externally moderated which meant the requirement for a high standard of training for the first time lay outside of the schools during the 2000s the ongoing work with both the setting of The National Occupational standards and The Core curriculum for reflexology was begun these documents were part of the requirement for standards during the organization of voluntary regulation and the setting up of the complimentary natural Healthcare Council in 2008 the a has been very involved throughout the process from first discussions to the present day voluntary regulation is important for the safety of the public during the 20 an Advice Line was set up to support reflexologists working on their own and since those first phone calls we have answered thousands of questions and help to assist our members finally a reflexology exam along with aroma therapy and massage was added to the national government framework seminars have been a staple of the aor since its Inception and always Keen to embrace new technologies the first AOL webinars were launched in 2010 allowing more of our members access to introductory courses the webinars also allow our many overseas members to join the community our recent webinar event saw members from Spain Malta Japan and Australia join those from the UK in 2010 the a established several social media communities with two thriving Facebook pages one closed for members only access and one open to promote reflexology and our brand to the General Public the a have supported a staggering 25,000 members over 30 years I wish the whole association and all its members and the staff and the practitioners everybody connected with reology a happy 30th birthday happy birthday yes happy birthday to the a 30 great years and many more to come no matter what you're doing if it's just two of you getting together with a couple of cupcakes uh think how far we come in the past 30 years and look to doing what you are going to do in the next 30 Years so if it's 2 or 20 have a lovely time very happy birthday in all that you doely happy 30th birthday o um it's been absolutely brilliant thank you very much for your help and he to another 30 congratulations and all good wishes from the norfor group of reflexologists on the A's 30th birthday my happy birthday message to the association is from the oldest to the youngest or from the youngest to the oldest member let's all continue to strive to do our good work and and help the uh a move forward a happy birthday 30 years here's to the next 30 wishing the a a very very happy 30th birthday happy 30th birthday yes I'm very lucky to be reflexologist and I want to say a happy 30 Years to all of you um we started a long long time ago and it's absolutely marvelous that reflex is still going 30 years I express my thanks to those innovating Pioneers who founded our inspiring reflexology membership organization that is held in such high esteem and for leading the way So Others May follow so here's to always walking our talk