INSIGHT Academy
The INSIGHT Academy is part of the Changing Futures Programme, delivered by Expert Citizens C.I.C. & Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The training we provide is available free of charge to anyone living / and or working in the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Since its inception in August 2022 the INSIGHT Academy has delivered over 255* individual sessions to over 4466* attendees . 157* organisations have benefitted from these sessions include those from the local authority, police, health services, support services, housing providers, volunteers and community organisations.
All our training is co-designed and co-delivered through lived experience. We also offer people with lived experience the chance to become trainers themselves with our train the trainer programme.
(correct as of 16/08/24)
Lived Expertise
Expert Citizens has an extensive national network of contacts with cutting edge systems thinkers and leaders. Many of these bring their own lived experience which we supplement with testimony from local people using co-delivery and local case-based examples.
Our network includes expertise related to:
The implications of legislative change and the current policy landscape for those supporting customers and how to navigate systems; e.g. legal literacy, navigating benefits, and homelessness
Expertise on issues affecting people experiencing multiple needs in context and effective approaches to support; e.g. suicide, self[1]injury, hoarding, loneliness, drug and alcohol addiction, grief and loss
Understanding the root causes of multiple disadvantage to inform empathetic and effective practice; e.g. PIE, trauma informed care, and motivational interviewing
Professional development including wellbeing and resilience in order to maintain capacity; e.g. mental health first aid, building resilience, and emotional wellbeing
INSIGHT Academy Opportunities
Our range of opportunities includes:
Accredited courses: Learning delivered over multiple sessions, the successful completion of which leads to the award of a qualifications (e.g. Level 3 Supervising First Aid for Mental Health, Level 3 Education and Training).
Non-accredited courses: Learning delivered over multiple sessions designed to meet a specific current training need of those supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage (e.g. navigating the benefits system).
Masterclasses: Standalone learning sessions led by local and national experts on key subjects identified as current learning priorities through the Learning Programme’s planning and development process.
Bespoke workshops: Expert Citizens CIC co-design and deliver a wide range of bespoke workshops to meet the specific learning requirements of organisations who work with customers experiencing multiple disadvantage.
Local Partnerships: Expert Citizens will work in partnership and alongside existing learning and development organisational teams and system across social care and health.
Communities of Practice: These multi-agency communities centre on case-based learning to aide reflective practice around a particular theme, such as hospital discharge for those with multiple disadvantage.
Arts based learning: Expert Citizens were central to the development of a performance arts-based learning opportunity in 2020 called In Plain Sight. This powerful play followed the real lived experience testimony of four local people who were all involved in the production. The play won extremely positive reviews for its emotional impact and attracted system leaders including local MPs, Councillors, the Lord Mayor, and Chief Executives of key local stakeholders.
Attendee feedback
“I have learnt a lot about myself & others, I hope that I can implement this training in my future endeavors”
“Provided the basis for conversations when trying to support others as well as help myself”
“Great for connecting with fellow practitioners and sharing ideas / experience”
“It has given me the confidence to apply this approach and guide others to do this also”
“There is a huge co-pro community that I can become a part of, that messy is ok, that its actually quite simple”
“A reminder of the signs and symptoms of various mental health conditions – the “lived experience” videos were very helpful for developing more of an understanding about what it is like to live with these issues”
“Challenge stigma, changing culture within organization”
“Reflecting on my use of terminology and how procedural the current process/system is for people experiencing suicidal thoughts”
“It has validated my existing practice, which I can sometimes feel alone in. Thank you – I was on the verge of quitting so you may never know just how grateful I am to feel like I’m not alone”
“I will hopefully be able to support people so much better, LISTENING & fighting the urge to help! I understand more of the place where many of my clients are coming from. I will hopefully be able to share this learning with my colleagues as well as within my personal life”
“going to a tribunal is stressful so understanding what goes on would benefit anyone going to one”
“To be honest I learned loads! That everyone is different & their journey is their own and no one elses, thank you, to find open & frank training & for allowing free discussion”
“everyone who is working with people should do this training”
“An excellent session and I have already recommended to our team. Packed full of information and first hand experience. The audience were gripped. Such a refreshing change to usual sessions with less content and the obligatory “split into groups” exercises that not many enjoy! Hard hitting, made me stop and think and re-evaluate my work and approach. ”
“insight academy provides so many different training workshops and opportunities and i highly recommend them to everyone”