Training for Meeting Centre Staff and Volunteers

Meeting Centres training course for staff/volunteers

We have developed a 5-week fully online course to help staff/volunteers understand how to develop an enjoyable and flexible Meeting Centre which is key to the development of a successful Meeting Centre.

This 5-week course will support you to consider the different elements that make up a Meeting Centre and explore the practicalities of implementing it. This will include looking at:

  • The Meeting Centre ethos
  • The Essential Features of a Meeting Centre
  • The Adjusting to Change model and how this model can be used in practice to support both members with dementia and family carers
  • The physical, social and psychological effect of movement on individuals, with the opportunity for staff/volunteers to start to consider how this can be incorporated into the Meeting Centres programme.

Whilst we do not expect staff/volunteers to have in-depth knowledge of dementia, we do expect that they have some understanding, we therefore request that all those attending have investigated becoming a Dementia Friend see this link to access Dementia Friends

Mode of delivery: This fully online training will be delivered using the University’s online learning platform. It will include weekly scheduled 'live' online sessions where you will meet your tutor and fellow students, and independent study which you will complete at your own pace. Typically, you should spend approximately 3-4 hours each week working through this course. Please note that attendance at the live sessions, particularly the first one, is very important and failure to attend will impact your ability to complete the course.

Access requirements: As a fully online training course you will require a reliable computer/laptop and internet access. You will require audio and video capability for the live online sessions so that you can connect with your tutor and fellow students.

Target audience: This training is specifically to support frontline staff/volunteers who will have day to day responsibility of running a Meeting Centre but may also be of interest to Trustees/other supporters.

Start dates: 

  • 29 May 2023 (live sessions will take place on Thursdays) – This course will be open for registration from Monday 17th April 2023. Facilitated by Kirrie Connections, please see their website for more details.
  • ***Apologies, this course has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond our control*** 3 July 2023 (live sessions will take place on Wednesdays) – This course will be open for registration from Monday 1st May 2023. Facilitated by ADS, please see below for details.
  • 28 August 2023 (live sessions will take place on Thursdays) – This course will be open for registration from Monday 17th July 2023. Facilitated by Kirrie Connections, please see their website for more details.
  • 30 October 2023 (live sessions will take place on Tuesdays) – This course will be open for registration from Monday 4th September 2023. Facilitated by ADS, please see below for details.

Thinking ahead, further courses are also planned for 2024 starting:

  • 8th April 2024 (live sessions will take place on Tuesdays)
  • 1st July 2024 (live sessions will take place on Wednesdays)
  • 4th November 2024 (live sessions will take place on Tuesdays)

 

If you are interested in attending this training please take note of the following steps, but only do this once registration for the course is open.

For courses facilitated by Kirrie Connections please see their website for more details.

For courses facilitated by ADS:

  • Step 1: Email meetingcentres@worc.ac.uk to confirm that the training will be suitable for you to attend, and to check that there are still spaces available.
  • Step 2: You will be sent a link to register on Eventbrite. Please note, everyone that wishes to attend must register separately on Eventbrite – you should not do a bulk booking on behalf of colleagues.
  • Step 3: Approximately 2 weeks prior to the course starting you will be sent joining instructions (keep an eye on your junk folder as emails can sometimes go there!). You will need to use these instructions to enrol on the course to be able to access the content – this is separate to your Eventbrite registration, so please be aware that you do not access the course via Eventbrite.
  • Step 4: Ensure that you can access the course, make note of the dates, and work through the course content when it is made available. Links to join the live online sessions will be found within the course, so make sure you know where to find them!

Course fee: The training is free to UK delegates