On Wednesday 19 November 2025, the Next Step Cards Team held their annual Better Practice Event.A group of people at a conference looking interested

The team was joined by practitioners from across the UK, as they shared inspirational stories, best practice examples, and recent research that is supporting those working with young people.

An interactive session was also held during the day, as an opportunity for practitioners to refresh their knowledge of Next Step Cards, whilst encouraging them to consider alternative ways of using the cards during conversations.

Adventurer and conservationist, Mitch Hutchcraft, attended the event to speak about Project Limitless, the world’s longest triathlon. Mitch completed the incredible expedition earlier this year as a mission to prove that with the right mindset, even the hardest challenges can be overcome. Mitch said: 

We’re so held back in society by people telling us that something isn’t possible, yet the most extraordinary journeys start from the most ordinary places. My presentation at the Next Step Cards Better Practice event is all about resilience, mindset and the simple steps that we can all take to achieve the impossible.

My aim is for everyone to remember that you, and you alone, define what’s possible. You are the master of your own story, and you should never compare yourself to anyone else. My presentation is all about how setbacks are your power, and with a small shift in perspective, anyone, at any age, can create their own successes.

A photo of the Next Step Cards Team with Mitch Hutchcraft

The nine pillars laid out in Mitch’s presentation are closely aligned with Goal Based Outcomes, a goal setting exercise regularly used with Next Step Cards, and it was brilliant to have Mitch present at the event to showcase this.

The team was thrilled to also host Professor Duncan Law, who gave practitioners a brief introduction to working with goals and the Goal Based Outcomes tool. Following several requests during the event, Duncan has kindly added a section about research evidence on goal based outcomes to his handout. Duncan’s handout is now available to download.

You can watch a short video from the event below.