A new training course specifically designed around communicating with the people we support has been described as ‘the best ever’ by participants.
Swanton commissioned provider Total Communication to develop a bespoke three-day course to teach a variety of communication options.
Working closely with experts in different methods of communication, the team pulled together an exceptional training experience which has been creating a buzz.
According to Head of Learning and Development Kat Walsh, the training is just step one of getting the best outcomes for the people supported nationwide.
Kat explained: “Everything we do is focused on making the lives of the people we support as meaningful as possible – and communication is the key to unlocking their full potential.
“We knew our new communications training needed to work in Swanton services across the nation, but to have a bespoke, person-centred approach.
“It was incredibly gratifying to see the positive response to the training, which will now be implemented in the services, with its impact evaluated every three months.
“After a year, we’ll be able to look at how these new skills and methods of communicating have worked for the people we support.”
The training incorporated at a range of different communication styles and how to use them to connect with the people supported at each service.
During the sessions, the managers were able to learn skills that they can roll out to their teams in the services.
Kat said: “This is where the magic will happen – as each manager is able to adapt the communications training to work with the people supported in their service.
“It’s going to be amazing to see how giving people a choice on how they communicate with their support teams enhances their lives.
“The feedback we’re getting is amazing already, and I can’t wait to see how things develop.”
Following the three-day training event with Total Communication, the attendees sent in their feedback.
One said: “The people we support will have staff being in their world instead of us trying to make them be in our world.”
Another added: “Probably the best training I have attended.”
Meanwhile, another participant said: “The training has made me realise how frustrating it is to not be able to communicate properly.”
Most importantly, there were several comments about how much the trainers ‘wanted to make a difference in people’s lives’, were ‘passionate and committed’, and provided ‘lightbulb moments’.
