Exciting new training opportunities from Attend

Mental Health First Aid Training

Attend East are pleased to be able to offer you free places on our Mental Health First Aid Training Course. The training teaches people to spot the symptoms of mental health issues, offer initial help and guide a person towards support, it also teaches attendees to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis - and even potentially stop a crisis from happening.

The training is a 2 day course and attendees are expected to attend both days.

The dates for the training are 11th & 12th January 2018 and the 25th & 26th January 2018. Both training events will take place in Southend-on-Sea,  at the West Leigh Baptist Church, SS9 2AJ. The training runs from 9.30 to 4.30 and lunch is provided. You may also be able to claim travel expenses.

To book your place or get further information please contact Debbie.baverstock@attend.org.uk,. If this is something you do not want to take advantage of then please do feel free to forward the invitation to anyone you think may be interested.
 

Attend West Midlands will be holding some free training events in the next few months.

This is really exciting news. The work in the region has been quite low key for a number of years, as funding has been tight. However,  Attend West Midlands has received a grant from Awards for All to provide governance training and support for Attend groups in the West Midlands.

Many of you have been in existence since before the foundation of the NHS. In the West Midlands region we have approximately 2,600 volunteers and 13,208 supporters from the wider community. The average age of all the Trustees is nearly 80.

The aim of the pilot project is to support the legacy of our member groups being around for another 60 years.

The key issues the project will address are opportunities for :
• a review of the groups existing constitutions
• how to recruit trustees, and where to find them
• roles and responsibilities of trustees
• policies, procedures and risk assessment
• creating a vision, mission and business plan

The training will be free, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.

The dates for the training events are Friday 2nd February 2018 at the Learning Centre, St Georges Hospital, Stafford and Wednesday 7th February 2018 at Evolve, Birmingham.

Please share this information with all of your trustees. 

Please email or telephone Lilian Owens with the details if you are interested in taking part in this training or if you would like any more information. Her contact details are lilian123owens@gmail.com mobile 07941702795.

Lilian is very much looking forward to hearing from your League and to working with you over the next twelve months.

Action Learning: Building Solutions Together

We are pleased to announce four ATTEND Action Learning groups funded by the BIG Lottery, starting soon at our head office in Cavendish Square, London for 4 hours once a month over 5 months.

Action Learning is a type of group coaching, which can be used to find solutions to organisational dilemmas in many situations such as managing others, starting or running a project, being involved in running a shop – in fact, anything which involves working with other people.

Each group is limited to 6 people and will be led by an experienced facilitator. Being part of the Action Learning programme gives you the chance to share experiences and exchange knowledge with other people within the ATTEND family in a friendly and informal setting as well as working on any topics you choose which are connected to your particular work. You will also have the opportunity to:

 Explore ways of recruiting, motivating, managing and retaining volunteers
 Use the group ‘thinking space’ to air ideas and options
 Gain confidence in progressing your plans and goals
 Develop your coaching skills.

To learn more about what happens in an Action Learning programme, follow these links

Testimonials

This is what participants say..

“My experience has been really positive - in addition to really enjoying the group sessions and the opportunity to meet other professionals facing similar challenges, I found the overall structure of the Action Learning a really insightful and powerful experience. There was no aspect of it I didn’t enjoy - I really got a huge amount out of the experience.”
“Great being able to take the time to talk over an issue with my peers, at length. Don’t always get the chance!”
Attendance at every session is part of the commitment to ensure that the group works well.
Currently there is a limited number of places available and if you cannot be offered a place, there will be a waiting list for the next programme.

For an application form, please contact Debbie on Debbie.baverstock@attend.org.uk, or if you have questions or would like more information about the programme you can contact Lynne (email lynne@wearecal.org.uk or call 07770 642885)

Limited travel bursaries are available – please ask Debbie if you would like to apply.

Please note: groups are initially for ATTEND members in London, the South East, East and East Midlands up to Bedfordshire.

For those interested in progressing their Action Learning Skills, there is also an opportunity to be trained as an Action Learning Facilitator on our ILM recognised course in early 2018 (please contact Lynne above for more details).