“I loved every single part of the training." Living with Bipolar Training, Expert Citizens Insight Academy, June 2026

In June of this year, I returned to deliver a one off ‘Living with Bipolar’ course for Expert Citizens Insight Academy.  As lots of you know, I live with Bipolar and like lots of the folks I interviewed, I prefer the ‘manic depression’ moniker as it describes exactly what it is. Some people look at me blankly when I say, ‘Bipolar Affective Disorder.’  I’m not a huge fan of the word disorder either.  “Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life.” And who is going to argue with the dearly departed, Carrie Fisher? This condition (better than disorder) has definitely aided me in many, many ways. The boost to my creativity and the ability to work flat out for weeks on end!  And yes, it has also contributed to my having a more difficult life.  The crashing, the dark clouds then envelop me sometimes. Each time, I get up, I dust myself down and I carry on.    

But hey, we move with the times, eh?  Bipolar it is. 

The course was attended by people from across Stoke on Trent.  This included, Concrete, Combined Health, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Stoke on Trent City Council and beyond.  It was a fun packed day, and we definitely learned from one another. 

I received an email a couple of weeks after the training.  (Yes, I’m late in writing this blog post!) The email was from someone who had attended the course, and she wanted to explain to me how her daughter had recently been diagnosed and how out of everything, attending a day’s training with me helped her more than anything else. Blimey!  The reason? Because she saw a man navigating his condition, holding down a full-time self-employed job and being creative and engaging, no matter his inner mood.  “Steven, you inspired me, I worry that my daughter will just stay at home and not thrive.  I know this isn’t the case now.  She just needs her outlet and yours is obviously training because you are brilliant at it.  Never change Steven.” 

What does the course entail?

Aim: This one-day course has been created with people living with bipolar across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire. Throughout the course, you will learn of their terrific highs and tremendous lows and the way in which people navigate their condition.

Objectives: By the end of the session, you will have:

1.      Explored Bipolar Affective Disorder.

2.      Described what is meant by Cyclothymia.

3.      Discovered the genetics, the biology and the stresses of bipolar.

4.      Recognised the warning signs of depressive episodes and mania.

5.      Discovered why an accurate diagnosis is an important part of living with bipolar.

6.      Explored the ways in which mood swings can be managed and alleviated.

7.      Described the positive outcomes for people managing their condition.

8.      Explored tips to best support your customer who are living with bipolar or Cyclothymia.

Here is a smattering of the feedback from the day: 

“Steve is a very good and an extremely knowledgeable tutor.”

“I loved every single part of the training. Very in depth and working with mental health, this has definitely helped me to understand more about bipolar.”

“I had no knowledge before, so today has certainly given me; a snippet of understanding. Excellent.”

“I didn’t know there were different types of bipolar. I now have more of an understanding of how it affects a person and the signs to look out for.”

"Excellent training as always thank you Steven!”

“The course increased my knowledge around bi-polar and was a vital refresher on the importance of using active listening and motivational interviewing skills "

“I found the worksheets to give to service users such as the ‘mood journals’ really useful.”

“I will be able to use the information I have gathered in my daily role.”