Workshops

"I wanted my staff to realise how important meaningful conversation and listening is, especially for person-centred and relationship-centred care.

The workshops have provided a really helpful springboard to improving their standards and we are already seeing the results." Barchester Care Home Manager

REAL Communication Workshops Options

We offer highly interactive and experiential REAL Communication Workshops (Reminiscence, Empathic Engagement and Active Listening) for care and nursing staff and voluntary visitors. There are three options, from a three-day experience, a one-day workshop or half day overview.

The workshops help supplement people's conversation skills with older people and those with dementia, using active listening, enquiry and reminiscence, with Many Happy Returns Chatterbox cards as the triggers. 

The workshops provide rich, fulfilling and measurable 'user-centric' learning experiences to help people learn and understand better, with tools that help them can take their learning back into the workplace with ease.

The workshops naturally lead to further activities, such as life history gathering and other themed projects. Participants evaluate the sessions and their part in them, to measure learning outcomes. 

Some workshop comments:

"The workshops have given me skills for all of my life that I never had before - and no one can ever take away." Senior nurse.

"I feel that I have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to suffer with dementia now" Care assistant.

"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." Senior carer.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the workshops and thought they were very valuable. The group participation was excellent." Teacher.

"I am really excited about developing my work further as a result of the Many Happy Returns project" Activity co-ordinator.

"Apart from the residents, even my wife has benefited from my doing the workshops... she says I listen to her more now!" Senior carer.

We offer three options:

Option One

The three workshops last 6 hours each 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. Feedback and discussion are built into every part of the day. 

Participants work in changing pairs for some workshop sections and complete evaluation forms after each workshop. Individual packs of support notes provide guidance and suggestions for simple "homework" tasks between sessions. For example, participants might be asked to keep simple diary notes of their ongoing experiences to share with the group.

Workshop One

The workshop considers reminiscence as theory, as an activity and in practice, along with 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 and 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

Direct experience of reminiscence is at the centre of this workshop - and how it can be applied to countless 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

Our one-day workshops are very popular, focusing on empathising and enquiry and reminiscence; and conversation as therapeutic activites. The workshop is divided into three segments.

Participants work in changing pairs for some of the workshop sections and are asked to complete evaluation forms to monitor their progress. We place great importance on feedback and discussion and these are built into every part of the day.

Subjects and practice include:

Reminiscence theory; reminiscence as therapy vs. reminiscence as a therapeutic activity; intergenerational exercises including Many Happy Returns Chatterbox cards; compassion and empathy; enquiry, engagement, active listening and other techniques; reminiscence for relationships between team members; applying reminiscence to other activities to achieve more connected relationships; family involvement. 

Pre- and post-workshop evaluation forms are compared to not learning outcomes. 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 summary of reminiscence and conversation as a therapeutic activity. Activities include reminiscence theory and reminiscing as a practice using the Many Happy Returns Chatterbox 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

Abbeyfield

Age Concern

Barchester Homes Isleworth

Barchester Homes Merton

Barchester Homes Sydenham

Barchester Homes Wimbledon

Brookside School

Elgin Close Day Centre

Four Ways Residential Home

Greensleeves Trust

Haldane House

National Care Forum

Poplar Farm Day Centre

Randell House Residential Home

The Stroke Association

Ticehurst Nursing Home

Upalong Residential Home