Our offer of Compassionate Integrity Training (C.I.T) has proved an instant hit with staff from our Levelling the Playing Field network across England and Wales.
C.I.T is a certified training programme for educators of all types (teachers, mentors, youth workers, coaches and social workers) which improves mental health by developing skills including self-regulation, resilience, compassion for others and engagement with complex systems. These acquired skills will have a positive knock-on impact on the wider LtPF workforce and children we work with.
“I’m really enjoying the programme and look forward to it every Tuesday morning,” said Lucy Donovan, Senior Development Officer at our local strategic partners, Newport Live in Gwent.
“The group is really diverse and I take so much from the thoughts that people share,” she continued. “It’s great to have such an opportunity for reflection during the working day. I often find myself aware that the session is approaching and to be more mindful of stress levels and my responses.”
Justin Coleman, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Alliance of Sport, who manage LtPF, was hugely positive about its impact on his working life and practices.
"I have found the experience of the C.I.T programme, the inspirational trainers Shane [O’Connor] and Onyango [Otuoma] and fellow participants to be the highlight of my week!
“We have people with all kinds of stresses and pressure through personal and professional roles they perform coming together, being open to learning, sharing and making progress. It is absolutely what I need to be able to ‘take a moment’, focus on my mental health and build tools to drive my mental wealth!
“I don't make a secret of the fact that I carry lived experience that often impacts on my mental health, as so many in our sector do. This course is enabling the weight of the past to become lighter and more manageable and is making me personally and professionally stronger, more resilient and able.
“From this I can not only help myself but be even better at helping others and being helped by others through this programme."
James Mapstone, Alliance of Sport’s Co-Founder and CEO, added: “C.I.T has given me the opportunity to reflect in a safe environment and better understand my mental health capabilities and resilience.
“I’ve been inspired by other members of the group and considering we are the beginning of our LtPF journey, it has been a great opportunity to build relationships and better understand ‘who we are’ and the motivations that unite us behind our common goals.”
Imran Ali from our local delivery partners, Ellesmere Youth Project in Sheffield, has also benefited from the course so far.
He said: “I am really enjoying the course as it really gives you chance to reflect and be in touch with yourself. It’s positive for your mental health to be able to offload and the environment is safe.”
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