RESILIENCE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
CULTIVATING COURAGE AND HOPE IN ADVERSITY
Taster webinar
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE COURSE
The full course is a live, online, interactive training course that introduces evidenced based resilience tools to help people cope and move through difficult and challenging times in their lives.
The main goal might be learning to cope with challenging times in your own life, challenging times for another person, or group of people that you are supporting in the community or workplace. When we look at the bigger picture of our world, many of us are collectively facing challenging times due to financial pressure, inequality, climate change, or the threat of war.
The course takes an approach that doesn’t involve escaping from local and world issues, but instead is about finding our part to play in making life better, not just for ourselves, but also for others, or at least supporting us to play our part. We can increase our own resilience and also play our part in how our world responds to challenging times and issues, without getting overwhelmed, but sustaining courage, hope and persevering to make change possible within ourselves and others.
LIVE COURSE TIMETABLE
See more detailed week-by-week information HERE
HOW WILL THE COURSE BE DELIVERED?
The live aspect of the course will be delivered over Zoom with seven weekly live sessions of 90 minutes. See the full live timetable above. There will also be course materials that you will be able to access for each week of teaching, along with recordings of each live session. You will be encouraged to practice the practical exercises between each session and a community forum will also be available where you will be able to share your experiences and ask questions.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Everyone is welcome. This online training is designed for both for members of the public and practitioners (including coaches, health and social care professionals, managers, teachers and therapists) who wish to familiarise themselves with evidence-based resilience tools both to use themselves and pass on to those they work with. The course is suitable for anyone keen to grow their capacity to deal with difficult times or wants to take steps in developing a practitioner role supporting others.
IS THE COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?
We are keen to emphasise that the workshop is not a therapy session. Rather, it is about providing people with scientifically validated tools and resources for to help them develop resilience in challenging times. Although we will provide some context and evidence for the interventions we will introduce, this is not an academic programme of study. The workshop is practical and getting the most out of it will involve participation in practical exercises and interventions. However, anyone not wishing to participate in any of the exercises won’t be required or coerced to do so.
WILL I GET A CERTIFICATE WHEN I COMPLETE THE COURSE?
Yes, you will get a Certificate of Completion that qualifies for 12 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD).
WHO IS THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR?
That is me! Dr Matt Lewis. I’ve been teaching resilience, wellbeing and mental health for more than 25 years. I am also an academic teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in health psychology, mental health disorders, exercise psychology, positive psychology, and mindfulness. I was a lecturer and senior lecturer for over 25 years in the Psychology and Sport & Exercise Science Departments of Northumbria University in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. I have an undergraduate BSc (Hons) degree in Sport & Exercise Science and a PhD in Psychology. I am also a founding member of the Newcastle Centre for Positive Living at Northumbria University, a research and consultancy centre focusing on furthering the understanding and application of positive psychology.
I’ve designed and delivered courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) positive psychology, resilience and Mindfulness to the general public, coaches, trainers, teachers and health professionals. I also teach health clinicians in resilience practitioner training and motivational interviewing techniques.
I’m interested in helping individuals understand the scientific research and to assist them in applying it to their everyday lives. My purpose is to help people live full and meaningful lives, whatever circumstances they find themselves in.
My strategy is to educate the public about the practical everyday things that can improve resilience, mental well-being and confidence while campaigning for societal adjustments that help to protect and enable positive mental health, while also benefitting wider society and the world. I want to make people stronger by helping them to understand their minds, encouraging them to take responsibility for their mental well-being and urging them to be courageous and take action
CONFIDENTIALITY, COURTESY AND RESPECT
All participants and facilitators are asked to share the responsibility for ensuring that any information shared on the course is kept confidential and that everyone is treated with respect.
Confidentiality of Information
All course facilitators will exercise good judgment and care at all times to avoid unauthorised or improper disclosures of confidential information. Confidential information will not be disclosed or made accessible to any person, including relatives, friends, business and professional associates, other than to persons who require such information by law.
Our commitment to you
* We aim to treat you with respect and courtesy to ensure you enjoy working with us
* To provide you with a high quality and professional service
* To deliver on pre-arranged times and dates
* To respond quickly to any queries you may have
* To work within data protection and confidentiality policies and protocols at all times
What we ask of you
* Your commitment to regular and punctual attendance
* Your commitment to participate in the sessions when you feel able to
* Your commitment to treat yourself and others with respect
* Your commitment to take responsibility for your personal needs and safety and consult your GP if you are considering lifestyle changes or activities that you are concerned about
Shared commitment to confidentiality
* We commit to keep any information shared in-group sessions confidential
* We commit to keep any personal individual information we learn about each other confidential
Resilience in Challenging Times
What’s inside
The Journey Approach to Change
Learn to see setbacks and challenges as part of a journey to better things, rather than a permanent obstacle. your present difficulties as just one part of an unfolding story. Learn a mapping tool that helps you plot a route from your current challenge to your hoped-for outcome, identifying the practical steps and helping factors needed to navigate the journey
Managing Your Mind
Practices, skills, and strategies that help you manage uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Learn emotional self-awareness, engagement, and self-regulation to help you settle your mind and return to a balanced resilience zone.
Managing Overload
Learn how to regulate the level of pressure you face so you do not exceed your capacity. Recognise your personal warning signs of overwhelm and learn how practical exercises to prevent burnout and collapse.
Finding solutions to difficult problems
When you feel overwhelmed by a seemingly unmoveable obstacle, these tools, practices and strategies will help you stay engaged rather than giving up.
Building a supportive community
Resilience is not an individual pursuit, but also relies on help from others. Learn how to make new connections, nourish your existing relationships, and build supportive a supportive and authentic community.
Putting it all together
Learn how to practice and apply all the tools of the course in real life, and turn them into long-term habits. Integrating these skills, practices and strategies for many years to come requires purposeful reminders and purposeful practice.
final review
We will all come back together for a final time to talk about our experiences and support each other on our journey ahead.
Resilience in Challenging Times
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS
The workshops were an interesting and engaging exploration of the different techniques and tools proven to increase wellbeing. With a highly practical and participative approach, Matt shared the latest research and under their enthusiastic guidance we able to try out many of these tools for ourselves and find those that worked for us as individuals as well in our daily interactions with others. I would highly recommend this fascinating and inspiring course to anyone interested in getting as much out of life as possible….and having some fun along the way!
Nicky Robinson, Senior Manager, fair trade organisation
The workshop delivered by Matthew was simply brilliant. It exceeded all of my initial expectations. The numerous practical, logical and easy to follow activities really work and I now feel I have more resources that I can use to increase my overall mood. Matthew delivers the course in a really relaxed and varied way which allows you to feel part of something special. I would genuinely recommend this course to anyone.
Mark Oliver, Overseas Expedition Leader
This is an active way of engaging with new thinking about building upon our strengths, rather than analysing our weaknesses. As such, my experience of it was uplifting and energising, both mentally and physically, as the exercises in and out of session improved my mindfulness and well-being, and supported my approaches to helping others. The positive nature of the programme is also clearly very good at developing group rapport which outlasts the programme, with people still keeping in touch, sharing ideas and support.
Dr. Kevin Hilton, Reader in Transformational Experience Design
Who could resist a workshop led so enthusiastically and knowledgeably? The workshop was challenging, inspiring and could well turn out to be a little life-changing too. I met a fantastic group of people who weren’t afraid to have a real good laugh together – the noise could be heard down the building corridors, which is surely a great endorsement for any course!
Steve Gray, Mandolin-player and accountant, Change Manager at Northumberland National Park Authority.
I couldn’t possibly have imagined when I started this workshop, just how ‘positively’ life changing it would be. It was extremely informative as well as being challenging and thought-provoking, but most of all it was really good fun. I laughed almost as much as I learned and even though the actual course is finished, I would very much like to stay in contact with everyone in the group, as I think we still have much to share. Having Matt and Deborah lead, but also actively participate in the course, meant that we all felt that we were learning together, which was really interesting and productive. All I would say to anyone considering this course is to not give it another thought – just do it, you won’t regret a minute.
Lizz Patrick, Student Recruitment Manager, Northumbria University
The course provides you with a big bunch of interesting aspects and practical exercises on positive living. It helped me to take a step outside of my life and look at all the good and not so good things in it. I learned to appreciate the good things more and accept the not so good things. I also got ideas how I can keep up this practise in my everyday life.
Thea Raubinger, 29, MSc Psychology student, Northumbria University
I thoroughly recommend the workshops. They are delivered in a laid back and welcoming manner, led by Matthew. They packed in so many techniques and tools for wellbeing and mindfulness and were very encouraging in trying out new things in between classes. It has given me new resources to use in every day life. Its great value for money and fun too.
Jane Cater, Business Consultant and Coach
Resilience in Challenging Times