"This was excellent training!" Trauma and Change with Expert Citizens Insight Academy, Sept 2025.

Hello one and all,

Today I’ve collated the feedback from my Trauma and Change course that I created, bespoke for Stoke on Trent’s very own, Expert Citizens Insight Academy.  As always, the feedback has been 100% positive.  I’ve recently made some changes to the course and added a new film and removed one task, which now finds itself on my ‘Working with Adults Using Motivational Interviewing’ course.  I really feel that the course flows wonderfully, people loved it before, but for me, I just felt that there were maybe a few too many tasks.  Now, people get time to breath, specially after watching the numerous interviews with Charlotte, Ryan, Ellie, Brent, Phil and Sophia. 

On with the feedback!

"This training deepened my understanding of how to be more mindful and aware of the potential challenges in the lives of the people I support. I learned to pay closer attention to how individuals respond to their circumstances and how trauma can shape those responses. This training has significantly boosted my confidence in working with individuals affected by trauma. I now feel better equipped to approach situations with curiosity and compassion, rather than judgment or assumption.”

“Moving forward, I will apply these insights by:

1.      Taking time to understand the emotional context behind behaviours.

2.      Using evocative questioning to support reflection and healing.

3.      Practicing the 90-second pause to remain grounded and responsive.

4.      Encouraging resilience and self-awareness in those I support. "

“Watching the clips from Sophia, Phil and Ryan gave me a real insight into how service users feel and mistakes/poor practice that have significantly impacted on their lives.”

“I Really enjoyed the course, thought that Steve was very engaging, was lovely to hear the inspiring stories in the course.”

“In as much as I know and understand professional curiosity, this training stood as a refresher and more. It allowed me to critically open my mind to different issues and variety of perspectives. Which is something I hope to constantly look back on in my practice. Individual experiences differ and it’s awarding to approach every individual with a blank slate rather than placing yourself as an expect of other people's lives.”

“Able to take what I have learnt and apply it to supporting residents within the service. Awareness of people’s backgrounds and support and show understanding.”

"This was excellent training it helped me as I have been through trauma and given me awareness how others dealt with it and how they turned the lives around.”

“Ryan’s story what he has been through and his story now how he has changed his life around. "

“Fantastic knowledge conveyed about the subject.”

“This course has been eye opening and links in so much to my job role. I feel much more confident about being able to support my tenants.”

“I have gotten a deep understanding of trauma and its influence on people. The course followed through from childhood to adulthood which I found very helpful and beneficial.”

“Having an awareness of others re trauma and using models. Also, I found the videos of Ryan, Phil, and Sophia very useful. It gives you a true insight of lived experiences and how they have overcome their traumas. I have found all three very inspirational and wish them all the luck.”

“Ryan’s film highlighted trauma experienced which I can refer to understand the types of trauma families experience.”

“This is the first trauma training I’ve attended, and I am more informed about trauma than I was. I will be using this in practice as a social worker.”