“Impeccable training." Trauma and Change with Insight Academy, Feb 2024

Greetings one and all,

I’ve finally gotten around to collating the feedback from the Trauma course that I created bespoke for various agencies that work across Stoke on Trent via Expert Citizens Insight Academy.  The Stoke Council crowd is always a bombastic, direct, supportive and encouraging audience.  Lots of laughs, lots of deep thinking and I think everyone would agree, quite a lot of learning.

I have updated the course to include new interviews and an over-view of where all of my past interviewees are today.  You’ll be pleased to know that they are all continuing to live in post-traumatic growth.  Wonderful folks, every single one of them. 

Here is a smattering of the 100% positive feedback comments:

1.       On completing if the training session, has your knowledge increased? 

27/ 27 YES

2.       What did you learn during this session? 

“Understanding the difference between trauma and stress.  The way in which people react and how I might judge people before getting the full picture.”

“I learned how trauma impacts people’s lives and how to support them through ‘post traumatic growth’ as Steven called it.” 

“I learned everything and more that I wanted to know about trauma!”

“To not judge people.”

“This training has increased my understanding of people who have suffered trauma in their lives and how it can affect people in many different ways.”   

“To remember that how we cope with things is very different for everyone.”

“I learned all about trauma and how it effects people.” 

“How trauma can effect service suers and how they can battel to overcome this throughout their life.” 

“Not to be judgemental.” 

“To listen more.”

“It made me see how I might think I’m being understanding but there’s a lot more that I could be doing.” 

“About trauma from different backgrounds.”

“I learned about the difficulties that people from Stoke have faced.  I need to stop asking so many questions.”

“The depth of traumatic experiences and how people can recover.”   

“To try and see the bigger picture.  How to recognise people going through trauma and to recognise is in myself.  Thank you Steven.” 

“The videos and the interviews that Steven created for us were very moving and demonstrated what trauma can do to people.” 

“People’s understanding of trauma and what it means to individuals.” 

“Ryan and Charlotte’s life stories and experiences were exceptional and I was very emotional after watching their stories.  To hear about positive outcomes made a real change and to know that we are making a difference is so important.  Thank you Steven.”

“I leant that there is a lot going on below the surface.  That I had a lot to learn and Steven covered everything.” 

“Nothing was left out!  I learned SO SO much, thank you – the best training I’ve ever attended.” 

“Application of a trauma informed approach, considering how trauma effects people.  It was excellent training.” 

“How trauma can change people and fundamentally alter people.” 

“The training was very good and went into great details about the ways in which trauma effects people.” 

“I have gained a better understanding of the functioning of the brain and how it relates to trauma.”   

3.       How will the training you experienced shape your future practice? 

“I feel now that I will be more sensitive to unpicking reasons behind behaviours.” 

“This will make me much better at my job.”

“Insight into the areas discussed and I will put what I have learned into practice.” 

“Insight into the areas discussed and I will put the actions we have discussed into action.” 

“Listening and sharing my ideas.” 

“It will help me to deal with the causes of trauma.” 

“I will be more aware of the experiences service users have been through and how better to support them.”

“By learning how to appreciate my own trauma and that of others.”

“Insight into what we mean by trauma and how I will work with people in a better and trauma informed way.”

“I now have a more thorough understanding of cause and effect.”

“I love how the training linked with motivational interviewing and it was great to know that I am doing it right, thank you Steve!” 

“Understanding that others have a traumatising past.” 

“It will help me to identify trauma and how it effects people and what I can now do to better support and encourage them.” 

“More of understanding of people’s experience and hot to help them embrace life in a positive way.” 

“The training has fundamentally got me to look at my practice and I will go away and think about it!” 

“I gained a great deal of knowledge.”

“This training will make me think before speaking!”

“To be more understanding of people.” 

“I need to listen more to people.” 

“To listen more.”

“To look at the reasons behind behaviour and not to judge.”    

“Hopefully better understand people and their need to overcome the trauma in their past.” 

“To think about people and think about trauma and how people can be better supported.” 

“I feel that now I will take more time to understand the reasons behind people’s behaviours and their need to be understood.  I now understand the challenging behaviour that I deal with every day.” 

“Remembering that everyone has a past and what that actually entails.” 

“I know for a fact that I was judging people.  I have felt burnt out for a long time and this training has really given me a reset.  I now need to put what I have learned into practice.  Honesty Steven, you have lit a fire under me again and I’m thankful for you for that.” 

“To think before speaking, to listen more and to go on more training with Steven and the Insight Academy.” 

“Considering trauma informed approach and doing my very best for people.” 

4.       On completion of the training has your confidence in the topic increased? 

27/ 27 YES

5.       Was the trainer knowledgeable and able to answer your questions?

27/ 27 YES

6.       Would you recommend this training session to others and why?

“Yes, most definitely!  Steven is the best person to deliver training, always engaging, fun and entertaining!” 

“Impeccable training.  The trainer had a perfect way of delivering training, I would recommend training by Steve.” 

“Absolutely!” 

“Definitely I feel that every practitioner would benefit from attending this training.” 

“Steven cleverly gets you to reflect on your own practice and what you are going to do differently going forward.  I will definitely use what I have learned on this training.  Thank you.”

“INFORMATIVE AND BRILLIANT!” 

“Definitely, easy to understand training on a difficult subject, we laughed so much and I didn’t think it would be so interactive and fun and thoughtful.  Ryan and Charlotte are wonderful human beings.” 

“Yes.”

“I loved it, because it showed how important empathy and compassion are to the clients we are working with.” 

“Yes, it’s great.” 

“Most definitely.  The BEST training EVER!”

“What an inspirational individual Steven is.” 

“Yes, steven is very knowledgeable and also very empathic with everyone in the class, he listened, shared ideas and the films he created are wonderfully moving.  Ryan’s films actually made me cry.” 

“Yes, it opens your eyes to the way in which people can overcome trauma, especially inspirational people like Ryan and Charlotte.” 

“Yes, as an employee at Stoke Council, this is the first time I’ve been on Steven’s training and I was really impressed.  I don’t usually like training but this was by far the best.” 

“Yes, I would recommend this training to everyone at the council and beyond!” 

“Yes, people need to be less judgemental and instil Steven’s approach to working.” 

“Yes very informative.”

“Yes, wonderful training.” 

“Eye opening training.” 

“Very interesting and relevant to my job, which I don’t always say when I’ve been on training.  It will benefit how I work with people in the future.” 

“It was a very interesting session and the room was a good size with lunch provided.  That’s a first!” 

“Yes, it was very educational and entertaining. Ryan is a brilliant person to listen to.”

“This has been the most useful training!  We need more of Steven’s training!” 

“Would |I recommend it!?  Would I ever!  Because it gives you a better understanding of trauma and it is not boring, it is interactive, Steven never stops and the day just flies by!” 

7.       Would you benefit from further training?

“Yes, anything with Steven.” 

“Motivational Interviewing.” 

“Motivational Interviewing.” 

“I’ve heard that factual recording is really good and I definitely need it.” 

“Motivational Interviewing.” 

“I’ll have a think and get back to you.”

“If you do something about stress.” 

“Yes, I need to increase my knowledge.” 

“Yes, can we have more training with Insight please.” 

“Motivational Interviewing, empathy fatigue and anything really that helps me to do my job.” 

“Motivational Interviewing.” 

“Motivational Interviewing as long as it is with Steve.  I did it years ago with a woman and it was rubbish!” 

“No, I’m too busy at the moment.” 

“I think training is important and too much training doesn’t exist!  More please!” 

“Do you have any other comments?

“It was bloody perfect!”

“I can’t think of anything that could be improved.  Thank you Steve and the Insight Academy.” 

“I think that everyone at Stoke Council should go on Steven’s training.” 

“Thank you Steven for an enjoyable training session that was really informative.” 

“No it was all good.”

“The course was done really well.”

“A very well delivered course.” 

“Very well presented and Steven created everything himself and I’ve not seen anything like that before.” 

“Very well presented by a professional who knows his stuff.” 

“Very insightful and Steven is lovely. I had a chat with him at break time and he listened to my story and was really compassionate.”