Welcome to our Summer News Update.  Hopefully you have been enjoying the recent glorious, if sometimes too hot, weather!  We were delighted to see this beautiful summery mural when we were delivering training at Albert Road Day Opportunities recently.

As we move into the summer holiday period, we hope that you are looking forward to a well earned break, whether staycationing (and where better than beautiful Shropshire) or travelling further afield.  

It is World Suicide Prevention Day on 10^th September. In 2021, 5,203 suicides were reported in England alone, equating to over 700,000 suicide deaths globally. As a population, we can all work towards the prevention of suicide (and yes, it is preventable!). Knowledge of risk factors, signs of concern, relevant signposting services, and how to support someone who we may have concerns about could mean the difference between life and death.

Join us on one of our suicide prevention courses to gain more knowledge around supporting someone who may be considering suicide- it is more common than we might think!  Click here for more information and to book Suicide Prevention training

A 20 minute free online training course developed by Zero Suicide Alliance is also available to all, to help build confidence in helping someone who may be considering suicide- Zero Suicide Alliance Suicide Awareness Training 

Readers may be interested in listening to a very insightful and interesting radio interview on self-neglect which was recorded back in February 2020 for Radio Shropshire and remains very relevant today.  The discussion took place between Sarah Hollinshead-Bland, Statutory Safeguarding Business Partner, Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership, Karen Littleford, Safeguarding Adults Lead, Shropshire Partners in Care and Jim Hawkins, BBC Radio Shropshire.  

Joint Training offers a range of related courses, including Supporting Adults who Hoard.   This session considers hoarding as a diagnosis, factors that can lead to hoarding behaviour and the importance of multi-agency working and engaging individuals.  Places are currently available on the session scheduled for 25th October, 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.  For more information and to apply see Supporting Adults who Hoard | Shropshire Council

From 1 July 2022, all health and social care providers registered with CQC must ensure that their staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with autistic people and people who have a learning disability, at a level appropriate to their role.  This new legal requirement is introduced by the Health & Care Act 2022.  Joint Training offers a range of courses focusing on learning disability and autism - for more information please see Autism & Learning Disability Course information.    Please note more Autism Awareness course dates will be advertised early autumn.

Delivered by West Mercia Police exploitation and vulnerability trainers, these 2-hour multi agency, interactive online sessions are open to anyone working with adults, children and young people who may be at risk of exploitation.  The briefing increases knowledge and the ability to identify exploitation of children and adults, including Sexual, Criminal and through County Lines activity.  Also included is an understanding of Modern Day Slavery, and the use of the National Referral Mechanism.  The briefings are proving very popular and places remaining are limited, for more information see Exploitation and Vulnerability Briefing | Shropshire Council

As a training team we are always encouraging people to make the most of learning opportunities and here at Joint Training we pride ourselves on practising what we preach!  

As part of my own professional development, I have started a diploma in positive behaviour support (PBS). PBS provides a framework for best supporting people who can display behaviours of concern, with the focus on increasing their quality of life. I chose this course as it is something I am passionate about, and I have recognised a need within learning disability services for more in depth training and development in this area.

It has been great being a student again, getting to meet new people, hear best practice and develop new ideas. It has also given me a renewed appreciation of the vital importance of learning and development of staff in improving the quality of our health and social care services.

The diploma finishes in September and although I am looking forward to a break, I am already full of ideas for future training opportunities in areas such as active support, practice leadership and developing capable environments.

Keep an eye on the Joint Training website for new courses coming soon!

Moving into the Autumn/Winter period, it is not uncommon for our mental health to be affected by the seasonal changes around us. These may affect our mood, eating and sleeping habits- have these changed from what is normal for you? Although fluctuations in our mental health are usual for this time of year, if our feelings are interfering with our everyday life, it is important that we seek help. If our low mood has lasted 2 weeks or more, this could be a sign of Depression. You may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or ‘Seasonal Depression’, which is prevalent for some in certain seasons or temperatures, click here for more information on SAD

Here at Joint Training, we offer a number of helpful sessions that can provide useful information around mental health and how to optimise our own well-being. Considering the impact of Autumn/Winter on our mental health, helpful sessions might include-

• Anxiety and Depression
• Suicide Prevention Awareness
• Suicide First Aid: Understanding Suicide Intervention
• Mental Health First Aid
• Resilience and Stress Management

Always remember to undertake self-care practice whenever you can- these will be individual for everyone and a really great way to look after our own well-being. It may include activities such as reading a book, coffee with a friend, meditation; self-care helps reduce the impact of negative emotions and helps maintain balance in our everyday lives. It is not a luxury, it is essential for our well-being!  Also, where possible, try to include the 5 Ways to Wellbeing in our daily lives.