Useful Conversations

Communication that counts

Consultancy and Solution Focused Training Services

QUOTES FROM COMMISSIONERS and COURSE PARTICIPANTS

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS 

Solution Focused Training

Greg and Andrew supported us in the early stages of our department using a solution focused approach. They provided us with an excellent overview of solution focused principles and interactive managers sessions which gave managers the opportunity to practice the techniques. This has allowed us to begin to roll this out across our teams.

Some comments from managers included:

“Excellent introduction to solution focused working I now want to try this with my team.”

“I really like the way we practised together. This has now given me the confidence to give it a go.”

Danielle Swainston, Assistant Director, Children's Services, Hartlepool Borough Council 

“Useful Conversations has twice won tenders to provide SBFT training to addiction treatment professionals on our behalf; evaluations have been very positive, as has informal feedback from participants. On this basis, I would have no hesitation in recommending this training to others.”

Davis Turkington – Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordinator
Eastern Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordination Team (N. Ireland)

“Greg has delivered SFBT training to both staff and managers within Touchstone and feedback has always been very good. For this reason, Touchstone commissioned a series of follow up training days to consolidate the learning and test out staff’s practical application of SFBT across services. As a result, our work with service users has become much more positive and colleagues feel more confident about the range of techniques now at their disposal to support vulnerable people in crisis. From a management perspective, it is now the norm to use SFBT within supervision and appraisal and all Touchstone staff report that this has proved enormously beneficial to relationships at work as well as to their personal effectiveness.”
Alison Lowe – Chief Executive
Touchstone Leeds

“Greg’s Solution Focused training course has been very popular with our foster carers. It offers an excellent balance of theory and practice and carers comment that Greg has a good understanding of their role. Other professionals have begun to comment positively on carers using Solution Focused techniques with children and young people. The training has always been well planned and delivered and we will continue to offer this as part of our core training.”
Sheila McKeand – Foster Care Development Officer
Bradford MDC

"Greg ran a course for all of the BizFizz Enterprise Coaches working for Bradford Kickstart. These coaches are full-time business support professionals, and there was a lot of coaching and client experience in the group. Greg's approach was exceptional and he delivered a day's training that was well received and beneficial to all. 

I would heartily recommend Greg both as a coach to me, and as a trainer to my colleagues and me. If you have the chance to engage him on a project or to help as a coach for you or your organisation, he is a great person to approach." 

Andrew Gibson - Enterprise Coach
Bradford Kickstart

"When I return from any training I always ask myself  ‘how useful was it in practical terms to my day to day practice. Unequivocally I can pay tribute to the Solution Focused training that Greg delivered. It was relevant, practical, hands on and fun. Myself and immediate colleagues were able come away and discuss how we would use our learning in practice and we were immediately able to identify several key areas. We brought the learning to our wider management team to examine how we structured and ran our monthly meetings. We also looked at how we could bring the learning into our supervision with staff to provide them with more ownership of case work and personal development issues. On a day to day basis in other meetings I have felt “freed up” from the problem focused situation and been able to deliver  far more optimistic chairing and leadership. 

The bottom line is that the SF method is not complicated or bound up with jargon. Its usable and adaptable and relevant to both work and home life…"

Mark Atherton – Operational Manager (Acting)
Leeds Youth Offending Service

QUOTES FROM PARTICIPANTS ON TRAINING DAYS

All quotes below are taken the evaluation forms completed by participants at the end of training days provided by Greg over the past four years:

Developing staff skills and knowledge

"It helped me develop my listening skills and to see clients have the skills and knowledge to find solutions"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Learnt new tools of working and confident of using these tools with some clients"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

"Workshop really built on skills I use and increased my level of confidence in using these skills"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

“I really enjoyed this course. It was brilliant to be able to come on training and leave with a new skill you can look forward to practicing at home. All carers should do it”
(Foster Carer)

"I feel that following the training I am more confident to utilise this approach more within my clinical area.."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Evoked a lot of other thoughts questions about how I do things – self reflection."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"An interesting outlook on another technique to help with my practice which also throws another light on someone who after 32 years of learning is reaching burnout and cynicism at times. A change can be re-motivated in me. Thank you – a solution not a problem. Eh!"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

Content of Course

"The content is down to earth and applicable to real life situations"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

"Enjoyed the activities and practice"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Variety of group work discussion video and PowerPoint. Good use of breaks throughout the day."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Doing the exercises, putting skills into practice"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

"Realising that we already do some of this as a matter of course. However it has been brilliant to learn more and use this more effectively."
(Foster Carer)

"Understanding how to use the model in practice and role play / feedback"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Learning how to adapt the questions to different situations"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"This is the most informative training I have attended recently. The skills / beliefs in these techniques were evident from the trainer’s enthusiasm and ability to engage with the group. Well done!"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

Trainer skills

"I found the trainer to be very helpful and made me feel at ease during the three days which enabled me to learn more."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Trainer constantly recapping – very important"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"The leader demonstrated experience and commitment to the approach and used lots of examples which were most helpful"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Motivating and enthusiastic speaker – evidenced – in passion for subject."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"The presenter was very clear interesting and enthusiastic. He was also a good listener and very approachable."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Trainer was flexible to group needs."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Friendly, relaxed, engaging and professionally delivered. Inspiring trainer who made the training easy to understand and accessible. Was delivered at a comfortable pace."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Prompts and guidance from trainer and his ability to engage and explain clearly"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

Other

"Fabulous, so grateful to have had this opportunity."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Rewarding"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course Thanks. V. enjoyable and inspiring"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Enjoyable, thought provoking and definitely practical."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Well taught. Thanks."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Thank you. It was a worthwhile use of time."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Thoroughly enjoyed three days 3 days training – I feel scaling questions will be very beneficial particularly when managers audit our performance."
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"Really enjoyed the training. Trainer was energetic and positive and made the information very accessible. Learnt a lot and improved in confidence. Will use my new skills in my daily work and personal life. Would recommend course for anyone. About time we all started to focus on the positives!!"
(Substance Misuse Worker)

"To be made part of basic training for all carers"
(Foster Carer)

"Good for my own mental health and reason to continue working with people(!)"
(Mental Health Support Worker)

"Best course I’ve been on for a very long time"
(Foster Carer)

"Recommend this course to others"
(Mental Health Support Worker)