INSIGHT Academy – Train the trainer programme

Since it launched in 2022 the INSIGHT Academy, part of the Changing Futures programme, has delivered lived experience led training to 1054 people representing 71 different organisations and continues to provide the most up to date content, for free, to organisations based in Stoke-on-Trent who support people in their work.

A unique feature of the academy is our ‘train the trainer’ programme which offers volunteers the chance to complete a qualification to become trainers in their own right, gaining the relevant skills to go out there and use their lived experience to educate and help others both in the workplace and in the wider community.

We are proud to say that we have now had a successful candidate complete the ‘train the trainer’ programme, and a massive congratulation are in order for Steve, who has been busy putting his new found skills to good use. We asked Steve all about his experience which you can read in the short interview below…

“The course I did was AET level 3. What led me to do this was the idea to help train people up with basic skill in construction, which is my background, but also around peer mentoring which is what I’ve been doing as a volunteer with Expert Citizens. I’ve felt a bit stuck lately, and I cant go back on site due to my circumstances at the moment, so as well as helping other people this will also help me as I’ve now got a qualification. I’ve already done a couple of training  sessions, I’ve done some peer mentor training with the volunteers and I’ve helped facilitate a community conversation with Keele University about patient involvement, which I found really rewarding. I think its important for everybody in terms of our wellbeing to be doing something worthwhile, to keep us fit and well. I found it quite tricky in terms of using technology, I was definitely a technophobe, used to working from drawings and with my hands on site but with some support I’ve managed to adapt and think I’ve made a lot of progress with computers from doing this course. It would have been too easy for me to let my inner voice tell me this isn’t for me and to quit but that’s all part of it isn’t it, getting to understand those shadows inside us that come to trip us up is important and the growth aspect of this has been absolutely massive for me. I do a lot of meditation and looking inside myself but I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the coaching and support from the guys at Expert Citizens, it’s been amazing. When I was facilitating the event with Keele University I felt it came quite naturally to me, moving round the room getting involved in the different conversations happening on the different tables, it felt good and I think it went quite well on the whole, I feel quite comfortable and confident in myself now. Going forwards I hope to be able to use what I’ve learnt, like I initially planned, to share my knowledge and skills around construction work, which will hopefully help other people get back into work.”

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To find out more about the INSIGHT Academy and what we can offer to you and your organisation visit: https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/insight-academy/

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