Workshops
How to make your communications REAL
Workshops
We offer highly interactive and experiential REAL Communication Workshops (Reminiscence, Enquiry and Active Listening) for care and nursing staff and voluntary visitors, that have been developed to supplement people's skills and to help care staff get more from conversation with older people, using active listening, enquiry and reminiscence, with Many Happy Returns cards as the triggers.
The workshops provide rich, fulfilling and measurable 'user-centric' learning experiences to help people learn and understand better – and are also designed to lead to further associated reminiscence projects. The sessions are evaluated throughout to measure people's learning outcomes.
Some workshop comments:
" I wanted my staff to realise how important meaningful conversation and listening is, especially for person-centred care. The workshops have provided a really helpful springboard to improving their standards and we are already seeing the results."
"I feel that I have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to suffer with dementia now"
"I find that I listen more intently to what people are saying now – so often, conversations are 'lightweight'... the workshops have helped me to get to know the people I care for and work with better now."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and thought they were very valuable. The group participation was excellent."
"I am really excited about developing my work further as a result of the Many Happy Returns project"
"Apart from the residents, even my wife has benefited from my doing the workshops... she says I listen to her more now!"
We offer three options:
Option One
The three workshops last 6 hours each, (including a one-hour break for lunch) and include supporting materials and fun 'homework' assignments. The workshops are run at ten-day intervals to give participants opportunities to absorb and practice what they glean from the sessions. The three sessions give participants an in-depth experience of reminiscence, empathising, enquiry and conversation as a therapeutic activity.
A fourth, optional session one month later may be added to discuss learning outcomes and any matters arising from participants' experiences after the workshops. Feedback and discussion are built into each part of the day. Participants work in changing pairs for some of the workshop sections and complete evaluation forms after each workshop. Individual packs of background support notes are provided and simple "homework" tasks are established for participants between sessions - for example, they are asked to keep simple diary notes of their experiences to share with the group.
Workshop One
The workshop considers reminiscence as theory, as an activity and in practice. The "whys", "whats" and "hows" of reminiscence and its therapeutic value in older people's care. How reminiscence theory has developed and how different memories work.
Intergenerational issues.
Workshop Two
The workshop explores empathising and old age ailments: participants consider not only the chronic and acute physical disabilities connected with old age but also the social, mental and spiritual issues. Enquiry and Active listening: participants consider how conversations work and the different stresses that affect them. Participants experience how relationships can be transformed when people engage more effectively.
Workshop Three
The workshop provides direct experience of reminiscence and how it can be applied to other activities to help build more meaningful relationships and nurture carers' confidence. Issues connected with bereavement and family relationships are also covered.
Cost £950 + expenses. (Additional session £150 + expenses)
Option Two
A one-day workshop that focuses on reminiscence, empathising, enquiry and conversation as a therapeutic activity. The eight-hour workshop is divided into three segments lasting approximately 1.5 hours which include the following:
Reminiscence theory, activity and memory; reminiscence as therapy vs. reminiscence as a therapeutic activityntergenerational issues including Many Happy Returns cards; compassion and empathy; enquiry, engagement, active listening and other techniques; training in reminiscence for relationships between team members; applying reminiscence to other activities to achieve more connected relationships; family involvement. Participants work in changing pairs for some of the workshop sections and are asked to complete evaluation forms for each section. Feedback and discussion are built into each part of the day as is a lunch period of 45 minutes.
A pack of notes is provided to support the experience. Suggestions for translating learning into practical applications in day-to-day work are also included.
Cost £500 + expenses
Option Three
An overview workshop lasting 3 hours gives participants an overview of reminiscence and conversation as a therapeutic activity. Activities include reminiscence theory and reminiscing as a practice using the Many Happy Returns cards. Participants work in pairs for some of the workshop. An evaluation form is included at the close of the session and participants receive notes to support the experience.
Cost £260 + expenses
Please contact us for further information.
Workshop clients include
Age Concern
Barchester Homes Merton
Barchester Homes Sydenham
Barchester Homes Wimbledon
Brookside School
Greensleeves Trust
National Care Forum
Poplar Farm Day Centre
Randell House Residential Home
The Stroke Association
