CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE…

Change can seem daunting. This time last year (April 2020), many of us were fearful about how we
would cope, having been bounced into the biggest ever global change programme – the Covid 19
pandemic. No more face-to-face chats with colleagues and clients, no more journeys to and from
work. At first, there may have been some relief from the relentless demands of day-to-day life. But
as weeks turned to months, I often heard how much people missed the chats and off-loading to
colleagues and even the commuting, which was an opportunity to decompress, and a ‘drawbridge’
between work and home.

Now, not surprisingly those same fears are re-emerging about how we transition back to a new
normal. There is anxiety about losing some of the advantages of online working, the realities and
demands of being in a room with many others, not least of having to get dressed properly!

Since June 2020, we’ve trained over 1,000 people online; each with a story of personal change.
Every experience we have, whether good or bad can be helpful. We discover the possibilities and
resilience within ourselves we never imagined, while equally when things didn’t go well, we can now
empathise more with clients and others who have change imposed on them.

The cycle of change helps us make sense of any personal change journey. Too often change can seem
like a lonely struggle, and this is particularly so when someone in a position of power dictates how it is
to happen – planning for, rather than with.

We want to convey that going through change is a progression or journey together. That’s why using
our own experiences of lockdown can help connect and relate with others, without imposing our story
but recognising that we have a shared experience of significant disruption even if our circumstances
may be very different.

Many have realised that they were slipping into less healthy behaviours, perhaps increasing alcohol
use, or “becoming too friendly with the fridge” as one of our Lancashire friends put it. Given all we’ve
been through collectively, this is not surprising. If we feel a sense of weariness, shame or blame, it will
likely hinder us, just as it does with clients. So self-acceptance and kindness to ourselves is important as
we ease out of lockdown towards the new normal. Using the elements of the cycle of change outline
below, to identify where we are in the process is a helpful tool in the journey of change.

Pre-contemplation
We justify our current behaviours in some way. Listen to our inner talk and notice what is happening
without judgement of ourselves or others.

Contemplation

Early stage – We acknowledge the issue to some extent – problem recognition
Middle stage – The ‘shoulding stage’ because we become more aware of what we should do, even if
we don’t want to do it
Late stage – Beginning to think more deeply about the possible change, moving from the head
(should) to the heart (desire)

Decision

We may know we want to change, but this stage helps us think what that might involve and work out
what’s realistic. Planning and preparation doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it’s enough for us to make
the decision about what the change is, what it will involve and how we’ll begin.

Action

I think of this as the ‘little and often’ stage as usually that’s the key to real long-term change. Some
people of course might prefer the big leap – they often describe themselves as ‘all or nothing’ in their
approach to life

Monthly Articles


Fantastic course [Motivational Interviewing]! Totally relevant, understandable, practical and interesting. I look forward to using the skills and tools I learned. I was particularly impressed with Alasdair Cant. He is a brilliant trainer, knowledgeable, patient, engaging and clearly skilled at facilitating groups ensuring fun and learning.

Youth Justice Worker

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Excellent course, I liked the visual examples, it helps to reinforce learning. Great trainer and very attentive to pace and understanding of the group

Participant

Excellent course [Motivational Interviewing]. I recommend it to all staff working within the Youth Offending Service.

Youth Justice Worker

The course content and delivery were excellent. The learning outcomes I achieved were highly relevant to my field of work. I highly recommend this training to all professionals that work with clients.

Youth Justice Manager, London

This was a stimulating and inspiring course for me. I found that it reminded me of some of the core areas and pleasures of my therapeutic working.

Occupational Therapist

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Alasdair is one of the best trainers I've experienced - very knowledgeable, calm and interesting. A wonderful and rewarding experience.

Social Worker

I thought the course was very powerful and has given me tools to approach my job positively!

Social Worker

Alasdair was extremely patient, a good listener, and helped to prise my feelings out of me even when I didn’t necessarily understand them myself!

Arts Manager (Coaching)

Participative and vibrant discussion whilst adhering to a learning framework. Good time boundaries. Good role play. Learned a lot.

Child Protection Worker

Nicely paced, appropriately interactive, very facilitative, fine to ask questions. Actually enjoyable!

Probation Officer, Essex

This training course [Training the Trainer] has been the best one I've attended. Alasdair was very competent in delivering all we needed to know. The course was inspirational, not just an ordinary training course. I had a lot of fun and I would strongly recommend this course for anyone who needs to deliver training within their work.

Equality & Diversity Officer, Westminster PCT

We could not have asked for a better trainer or training programme. Alasdair is open, engaging and encouraging. The days flew by. I have learned an incredible amount without feeling overloaded.

Early Support Development Co-ordinator, London

This training [Motivational Interviewing] should be compulsory for all staff, but only if delivered at this high standard.

Mental Health Team leader

Excellent course, very relevant to my role as an ISS YOT specialist. Very good role play and theoretical content. Good overview of a complicated style of working with young people, but looks so easy when done well.

Youth Justice Manager, London

Each day of the course brought new experiences and new learning. It was extremely interactive, thought provoking and valuable. I will thoroughly recommend this course [Training the Trainer] to my colleagues. The facilitator was excellent. Thank you!

Training & Learning Development Co-ordinator, London

This has been a useful refresher course for me as I have been reminded about the key principles behind Motivational Interviewing that I had neglected to use

Participant

The quality of the facilitation was excellent and helped us explore potentially emotive topics in a very professional manner.

Team Manager, Westminster

The training was delivered in a clear and respectful manner. Alasdair made the course engaging and interesting for the participants.

Senior Arts Manager

Very positive training with a knowledgeable and skillful trainer. The group engagement was very positive and a lot of leaning took place between the group.

Participant

Thank you for coming today and providing such a good foundation for our staff. I could see they were very engaged all day and that is exactly what I hoped for. The information was pitched at the right level and I hope you are pleased with feedback.

Commissioner, Clinical Lead Mental Health, London PCT

Fantastic course [Motivational Interviewing]! Totally relevant, understandable, practical and interesting. I look forward to using the skills and tools I learned. I was particularly impressed with Alasdair Cant. He is a brilliant trainer, knowledgeable, patient, engaging and clearly skilled at facilitating groups ensuring fun and learning.

Youth Justice Worker

Rare delivery style and facilitation by Alasdair. Excellent - very relaxed, informal, detailed and knowledgeable, but easily digestible and pitched at the right level.

Probation Officer, Hertfordshire

This training course [Training the Trainer] has been the best one I've attended. Alasdair was very competent in delivering all we needed to know. The course was inspirational, not just an ordinary training course. I had a lot of fun and I would strongly recommend this course for anyone who needs to deliver training within their work.

Equality & Diversity Officer, Westminster PCT

It has been so valuable to have the space for the team to come together and talk about aspects of their work in a supportive environment

Senior Arts Manager

Brilliant day - glad I came...very stimulating and beneficial.

Voluntary Sector Project Manager

Enjoyable and productive. I found your facilitation was calm and relaxed but also purposeful which drew good contributions from the team. Thank you.

Participant

Nice to get a chance to hash out things with the team in a ‘safe’ environment

Senior Arts Manager

An enjoyable day, open, engaging and tangible outcomes. I was able to participate but listened to colleagues with I hope an open mind and will consider views on reflection. Tangible outcomes for us to take forward and I have a clarity of where we need to go next. I am inspired but empowered to question! Thanks Alasdair.

Participant