"Exceeded all expectations." Motivational Interviewing with Expert Citizens Insight Academy
Greetings faithful readers of my blog posts,
I am finally catching up with the all of the feedback and the various courses that I’ve been delivering over June and the beginning of July. It has been a BUSY ole time at Talbot Towers. As always, a massive thank you to Darren, Sam and Jonathan at the Insight Academy for commissioning me in the first place. Stoke is so incredibly lucky to have the Expert Citizens and its Insight Academy. It helps to bring together a raft of professionals from across Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire. Sharing good practice, networking, seeing what is actually happening in Stoke. You can feel the commitment coming from the troops. The various agencies that attended included: Changing Futures, Concrete, Glow, North Staffs NHS, Stoke on Trent City Council and Turning Point.
The Inspiring Change – Motivational Interviewing course is Stoke specific and is a fully practical, hands-on course. I pride myself on creating an inclusive and accepting environment. We have to be able to take onboard other points of view in an arena of acceptance and compassion. One of the learners who attended left me this piece of feedback and it made me rather happy:
“I really enjoyed it, it felt very inclusive and I struggle with anxiety in group settings, but felt comfortable & not judged, and actually enjoyed training for a change – not wanting to fall asleep or unfocused as usually do in other training.”
Can’t say fairer than that! Sometimes being a qualified teacher really means you get a fully rounded understanding of the neds of learners.
Here is what they thought about the training and as I’m sure you can imagine; it is all 100% positive with some lovely comments that have really perked me up!
Would you recommend this training to others and why?
“Absolutely – it’s so good to be on the other end of this, Especially Doctors & Police need this!.”
“Yes, very engaging, knowledgeable & practical implications to work / life.”
“Brilliant & very practical.”
“Would definitely recommend the trainer is brill!”
“Yes, very useful but also enjoyable.”
“Yes – really insightful.”
“Most definitely.”
“Yes, it was a fascinating course and was really well delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed the course.”
“Definitely would, Steven very good how he presents the training with videos, scenarios.”
“Absolutely, Steve helps you to better communicate personally and professionally.”
“Will be putting on new staff on this training, highly recommended!”
“Absolutely, you could use this in everyday life not just with service users / patients. Also, Steven is the most charismatic and entertaining trainer I’ve ever had.”
How will the training you experienced shape your practice in the future?
“I can now focus more on what they are saying and feel like I will be better at active listening & really showing true empathy effectively!”
“Will support work with victim survivors to feel they can & are able to facilitate change, will support my questioning style to be gently curios in a humanistic way within my counselling journey.”
“It will help me to get customers to further engage, and deepen conversations.”
“Will hopefully help me to reflect more and I hope to be able to practice what I have learnt with my customers.”
“Working with our clientele in the community team, the motivational interviewing will be a useful tool in client retention & motivating individuals to implement lifestyle changes.”
“Will really help both with supporting staff and those accessing our community services.”
“In everyday personal and professional life.”
“I think it will help create more meaningful and effective working relationships. I’ve realized that sometimes I inadvertently put “roadblocks” into conversations and this can help me to combat that.”
“I will take the training away and implement it in my role and be very mindful of motivational interviewing.”
“It will help me to communicate better with the people I support.”
“Person centred, MI approach is at the heart of our new project in opening conversation, I am coproduction lead so shall be requesting all staff attend this training.”
“Will help me to explore the service users’ motivations and encourage them to find the answer / solutions they need themselves.”
Do you have any comments / suggestions you would like to add that would influence the design of future courses?
“Perfect balance of laughter & learning, he took time to explain when needed.”
“Good mixture of different learning styles and medias – Thank you.”
“Is excellent.”
“Very good course it all came together well for me at the conclusion of the course.”
“No really enjoyed – Thank you Stephen for your support and for keeping it real!.”
“Fantastic course Steve thank you so much, you deliver knowledge experience and in a fun way for .me to understand and take knowledge away with me.”
“None! 😊.”
“Excellent training 5 stars, very intelligent trainer and talks about any issue.”
“Great session as always interactive and enjoyable.”
“Nope.”