A day hosted by Metabolic Support to bring the Inherited Metabolic Disorder community together for a day of connection and learning.

Metabolic Support’s 2026 Annual Community Conference will take place across two days, with an in-person conference day in Birmingham followed by an Online webinar launch day.

Join other families and people living with Inherited Metabolic Disorders at our 2026 Annual Community Conference. This event is an opportunity to build friendships and connections across the IMD community, share experiences and knowledge, and enjoy a safe space to ask questions and learn from others.

Saturday 14th November 2026 | Central Birmingham, UK

Our in-person conference day is all about creating community connections, bringing people together to build stronger relationships with others who understand life with an IMD.

This year, we will be offering more IMD-specific communities the opportunity to meet up. Our wonderful Community Lead, Sarah, is working with community groups to help shape this programme of events. Please get in touch with Sarah if your community group would like to get involved.

Agenda: Day One

09:30

Registration and Refreshments

10:00 – 10:30

Welcome and Opening Remarks Team, Trustees & Community Members Photo

10:30 – 12:00

Topic Tables Visit 3 different tables to hear from guest speakers – with plenty of time for conversations and questions. Please grab a brew as you go!

• The Cost of Rare & Your Rights

• Carers Corner

• Research Ready

• Travelling with an IMD

• Transition (Parents & Caregivers)

12:00 – 12:45 (Parallel Sessions)

• Low Protein Cooking Demonstration and Chat with Chef Derek! Get ready to learn more about Low Protein cooking, watch and listen to Chef Derek and get some new recipe ideas!

• Who’s who in our community Ever wanted to give something back? This is the perfect place – share a skill, a story or a fundraising idea! Come and have an informal chat with the team, find out who we are, and discover how together we can make our community even stronger. (A great alternative if you’re not joining the low protein cooking session!)

12:45 – 13:30

Lunch

1:30 – 1:45

Kids Talk Back! It’s time to hear from our younger community members as we get them up on stage to ask: What they would like for their future selves & What is it really like living with an IMD.

1:45 – 2:30

Access to Treatments – How it all works and why it matters. Learn more about how treatments are developed, brought to market & commissioned within the NHS services and what is in the pipeline for the IMD community.

1:30 – 2:30 (Parallel Session)

Young adults with an IMD: 16–30’s What does it actually feel like to navigate Uni, relationships, travel and life all while managing an IMD? This session starts with expert advice and guidance from healthcare professionals, before opening up into an honest conversation with young adults who’ve been exactly where you are. Ask the questions you’ve never felt able to ask and leave feeling more ready for whatever comes next. (The second half of this session is just for 16–30’s — closed to parents and carers.)

2:30 – 2:45

Break

2:45 – 3:45

The Knowledge Exchange Ever wished you could sit in a room full of experts and ask them anything? Now you can. Our panel of Consultants, Dieticians, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Psychologist. You’ll have the chance to submit your questions ahead of the day, so nothing gets left unsaid. (Example questions – What does a clinical psychologist do? What happens if I can’t access my medication?)

3:45 – 4:00

Closing Remarks

Sunday 15th November 2026 | Online Webinars

On Sunday, the conference with an International offering continues online the official launch of our webinar series.

This new series will offer informative and insightful webinars for patients, carers, guardians and people living with an IMD, as well as healthcare professionals, researchers and industry professionals.

The webinar programme will bring together IMD-specific communities and healthcare professionals from around the world to share knowledge, explore lived experience, and encourage meaningful discussion around inherited metabolic disorders. Topics will also include a focus on IMD-specific discussions, research, policy, support and advocacy.

Delegates booking an online ticket or a 2 Day Event Pass will have access to the webinar content for one month after the event, giving you the flexibility to watch or re-watch the sessions on our website in your own time.

The Studio, Central Birmingham on Saturday 14 November (In-person)

The venue is accessible with an accessible bathroom. Birmingham New Street Station is the closest station with just a 2 minute walk to the venue, but Snow Hill and Moor Street are also within a walkable distance. There are two carparks around a 10 minute walk from The Studio: NCP High Street (postcode B4 7LN) and NCP New Street (postcode B5 4AN)