Greetings one and all,
Last week I returned to train my former colleagues from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the place I loved so much that I worked there twice. Principal Social Worker & Safeguarding Lead, Gina Grimes asked me to create a course that would be beneficial to professionals from across Stoke on Trent Council. Gina wanted training that informed and educated practice with regard to trauma and trauma informed responses.
From there, Expert Citizens Insight Academy allowed me to begin my research and the creation of the course. Several expert citizens gave me their time and also their insights into trauma and the way in which professionals treated them. I know I keep banging on about the wonders of the Insight Academy and I truly mean it. Stoke is so lucky to have such an inspirational learning and development opportunity on it's doorstep. Long may it continue.
The course was created over six months, ‘Blimey! Six months you say!?’ Yes, it really did take that long, not only was that an awful lot of research, it also entailed my interviewing a raft of people from across the City (and beyond) and hearing their stories of trauma and post traumatic growth. The creation of this training opportunity has probably been the most rewarding experience of my professional career so far. I got to meet some truly inspiring people, some of whom are now life-long friends and it is humbling knowing how far they have come in life.
The course highlights the horrific way in which trauma can chip away at a person’s sense of self-worth and also highlights how some people have been able to embrace post traumatic growth and become the people they were always supposed to be. A massive thank you to Charlotte, Ryan, Kerri, Shelley, Mariana, Andy, Ellie and Brett (and the others who would prefer to go under the radar) for being there and opening up to me and sharing their journey. You are making a real difference to people’s lives.
Before I launch into the feedback comments… Let us all have a minute’s silence for poor Jonathan at the Insight Academy who has to collate the feedback from my Trauma and Change courses! I believe it is an arduous task with a happy conclusion (once it is all done and dusted) with lots of lovely impactful comments from the assembled learners.
How will the training you experienced shape your practice in the future?
• It has given me food for thought. Particularly with regards to listening & to framing questions when communicating with clients.
• Better awareness of the above.
• Awareness of how peoples different trauma shapes how they are / how to react and live, help me to have a better understanding.
• I will carry this knowledge into my work place.
• Listen more, & be more understanding.
• I will use the existing connections and self esteem cycle in practice as well as having a general awareness of trauma.
• This training reminded me of why I love helping people. Its very hard to remain positive when there are so many services needed, not enough funding, But its been very inspirational = empowering thank you!
• Reword how we gather info with open ended questions.
• Greater understanding around trauma how this can manifest in people and how better to help them.
• I will take into my practice the open questions and the way I see people.
• I will try + spend the time listening more to clients + allowing more time for them to share their story.
• More awareness of why someone may say or do or behave in certain ways.
• A lot, it has really made me think about how a persons situation can impact upon them, also to not make assumptions.
• It will help as I am working with a number oof adults who do drink & use drugs its about connecting appropriately.
• How I respond & react to vulnerable adults.
• I am already an empathetic and compassionate person but the training has validated how important it is to be human and to listen to others, not judge and how that alone can impact positively on others and help to build trusting relationships.
• Always to think beyond the surface of what you see, but that people who go through trauma are from all different backgrounds.
• Makes me more aware of how to approach situation with people.
• As above be more mindful in my role as senior when working others on the tram about how their traumas have affected them.
• Make use of the different questioning styles.
On completion of the training session has your confidence in the topic increased?
Yes 20/20
Was the trainer knowledgeable and able to answer your questions?
Yes 20/20
Would you recommend this training to others and why?
• Yes, it would / could help people to have a better understanding, becoming more empathetic / compassionate – becoming a more effective worker.
• Yes good quality + interesting.
• Yes very informative and easy going – I loved real life perspective / stories throughout
• Steven is a great trainer as always, he makes it very enjoyable and always makes me laugh, he is never boring.
• Yes it been amazing, interesting.
• Yes Very informative of the lived experience approach, embedded learning.
• The training was very interesting + engaging best training day by far, trainer was fun + engaging.
• Yes it was very interesting how people deal with situations.
• Yes, extremely enjoyable and insightful. Lived experience stories were very inspiring.
• Yes, very informative and very enjoyable, very inspiring and can give you a different outlook on life and your practice.
• Yes – 100% Very gripping! Particularly found Charlottes story gripping at the end given that she came from a privileged life – not what we’d expect from someone with trauma.
• Yes! It was fantastic, Steve makes the day interesting & interactive and engaging.
• It has been brilliant training, very informative.
• I would recommend this session because listening to the stories of Ryan & Charlotte they can change with the right support.
• I would recommend this training to others because in addition to raising awareness of the subject matter it prompts participants on their thoughts about others and their responses.
• Absolutely – I think there is so much judgement in the world and this is a really eye opening session.
• Yes, it makes you stop and think and reflect on your practice, how you can make others feel the way you ask questions.
• Steven is always very informative his training is always helpful & not like most training where it can be quite boring – this seriously wasn’t.
• 100% - Very interactive, good use of videos, exercises, thought provoking tasks, Steven has a good sense of humour and you come away from his training feeling listened to, not lectured at.
• Yes. Makes you more aware of trauma and how it impacts on each individual differently.
• Excellent material – written / visual.
• Steven is brilliant!! Very funny.
• Everything was spot on.
• Ryan & Charlotte – Thank you for sharing your stories! Steven – Inspiring
• Nothing, it was perfect!
• Speakers on videos excellent explaining about their lives, Steven was very good on putting training across.
• Steve has been brilliant, making the topic interesting and very informative.
• The training was very interested it was very interactive.
• I think its excellent.
• This is the best training I have received in the last 11 years working at the city council. Absolutely brilliant trainer – relatable + informative + able to relate to real life experiences.
• It was amazing, thank you Steven you should stand up too 😊.
• Carry on the good work!
• Steve – great trainer, adds humour to keep his audience engaged. Very knowledgeable Ryan + Charlotte – Truly inspirational!