Events and Training
WiCR has delivered several training events for its members including ‘unconscious bias & breaking down barriers’ and ‘challenging inappropriate behaviour’ and has plans for further events as soon as it is possible. Future training will initially include Safeguarding and mental health first aid.
An output from the training events resulted in WiCR developing a code of conduct which has now been widely adopted across community rail groups and also across the railway industry including the Department for Transport, Network Rail and train operators. The group aims to see the code of conduct adopted by all members of the community rail family and for it to be used as a tool to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Training Day at Mann Island
On Friday 22nd October WiCR hosted their first face to face training in a long time
at Mann Island Liverpool.
WiCR visited a couple of charities they had been working with to assess what topics would be most beneficial, before setting out to plan the day.
After talking to the groups we set about arranging the days topics: Mental Health and Motivation, Combatting Social Isolation and Interviewing techniques.
With the help of training suppliers, Rachel Gillett for Mental Heath, Transform Lives for Interviewing Techniques and Sally Ralston and Simon Abbott who delivered the Combatting Social Isolation session.
The day was well attended and well received.
WiCR South are hosting Breathing Space sessions – details are below.
Breathing Space Series Two
Breathing Space – Mental Health Awareness
The Breathing Space sessions organised by WiCR south saw a visitor from Avanti West Coast on 4th November. Kelly Burton who is the Employee Health and Well-Being Manager led training for WiCR members on how to support their own and others mental health. Slides from the event can be downloaded below.
Here are some useful handouts from subsequent Breathing space sessions
Mental Health Training
On Thursday 8th October, WiCR hosted an online training session called “Leading with Mental Health” which was led by Charlotte Wiseman. Participants were able to work through strategies to support their own mental health and also support colleagues. The all-day session was free to members and costs were covered by WiCR. It was also hosted on zoom so participants could follow the course from the comfort of their own home.
Participants shared their thoughts with WiCR
I thought it was a really good session. Charlotte was great and it was good to hear her story as part of the course. I enjoyed the format of it. It’s such an important subject too.
I thought the training was super. Charlotte was an excellent orator, she did a great job of communicating the key points and not bombarding us, and I thought having an actor was fantastic.
I thought the training was well done and well adapted to be delivered via Zoom. I thought the role play at the end was very useful and hats off to those brave enough to give it a go.
Thanks again to WiCR for organising it.
The group worked well together, Charlotte was an excellent facilitator and it was a thought provoking day in many ways. I found the training both positive and challenging. I have supported family and friends who have suffered with their mental health and gone on my own journeys with my mental health.
I found yesterday very informative and well organised, the presentation was easy to understand and I felt very much part of the day.
It just felt as if I was sitting there in the group something we all miss.
I thought yesterday was one of the better mental health first aid training days I’ve attended.
