Our Training – Groundswell

Groundswell have a 10+year track record of developing and delivering peer led learning and development training and support across the country.

What makes us different?

We are unique because all our learning and development work is led by people with direct experience of homelessness and all training activities are co-produced and co-delivered with those closest to the experience.

Below is a list of training topics we can deliver, broken down by audience. We’re always happy to work with you and your team to design accessible and interactive training, encouraging a solution focussed approach that will challenge you to think differently. We are also happy to deliver train the trainer sessions or develop bespoke training packages to meet your needs.

Service providers and other professionals

Coproduction and multiple disadvantage
Coproduction and participation
Cuckooing
First aid for mental health – *accredited
Introduction to multiple disadvantage
Making All Contacts Count through Advocacy (MACCA)
Presentation and facilitation
Safeguarding for professionals
Stigma and multiple disadvantage
Compassion focused training
Managing challenging behaviours, situations and conversations
Working with, and understanding, the Mental Capacity Act
Train the trainer session – move on support for those in supported accommodation
Supporting adult disclosures of CSA (Child Sexual Abuse) training

GP surgeries and other health providers

First aid for mental health – *accredited
GP surgery training
Stigma and multiple disadvantage

Volunteers

Advocacy
Boundaries
Beyond this volunteering
Equality and diversity
First aid for mental health – *accredited
Here come the professionals
Managing challenging behaviour
Presentation and facilitation
Preventing overwhelm and burnout
Safeguarding/risk assessment

People using homelessness services

The Escape Plan – based on research demonstrating the critical success factors to someone moving out of homelessness. (Download The Escape Plan_Report 2008)
Move on support for those in supported accommodation
Everyday Rights Training (ideally attended by frontline staff also)

If you have any learning and development ideas or needs, we’d be delighted to speak with you. Please contact Groundswell’s Learning and Development Manager, Sharon Clint: sharon.clint@groundswell.org.uk or 07854 922 715.

I’ve noticed a difference in myself since being involved on this project, I hope we are going to make a difference. We’ve all got the same aim, that’s good.

— City of London Advisory panel volunteer

This coaching [from Groundswell’s progression team] is very centred around the person which makes you think ‘this is about me and what can I change.’ You build a really good relationship of trust and you share because you realise it’s very tailor made to the situation.

— Former HHPA volunteer

Groundswell provided me with the opportunity to build my skills, confidence, and motivation needed to improve myself. The Progression team have constantly supported me with housing, welfare benefits, increasing my skills, and applying for a job. I cannot thank Groundswell enough.

— Groundswell volunteer

Thank you for producing such a powerful, moving film that encapsulates the real-life stories of those individuals experiencing homelessness. It certainly gave me much food for thought and acts as further evidence of the health inequalities of this population which is something I am very passionate about and am striving to change in my Trust.

— Health practitioner, NHS

Working with other people who struggle to manage their lives actually helped me to manage my own and it was a constant reminder to myself of why I cannot go back to that life.

— Former HHPA volunteer and staff member

When I was diagnosed recently with a life-threatening health issue, I was unable to confide even with my own family. Saying ‘I was supported’ doesn’t come close. I was helped with transport and accompanied to every appointment. When you have the strongest ally working with you, you know you are almost there.

— HHPA volunteer

I’ve always been very keen on involving the people...experiencing issues to form solutions that work for them.... In terms of potentially working in management at different recovery services and working with commissioners... [I hope] it gives me a new interesting way to work with my clients.

— Employee within City of London homelessness service (Groundswell and Plattforms City of London coproduction project)

The Groundswell crew are great and have been well picked. I see so much niceness and collaboration amongst staff and volunteers that I like going to the office.

— Groundswell volunteer

I started to build my confidence and get clean. I saw former volunteers who now had paid jobs and it was so inspiring.

— Former client and HHPA volunteer

Even though I know that I am not a paid member of staff – I am only a volunteer – I feel like I am part of the team, and I genuinely do feel like I am part of the team. I don't feel like it's like separated, the volunteers and work staff. I think everyone works as a team.

— Volunteer

The #HealthNow peer network provided a platform for us to engage directly with people with experience of homelessness. Their input helped to shape the final guidance to ensure it was focused around the people most directly affected by the recommendations.

— Mark Rasburn, Senior Public Involvement Adviser, Public Involvement Programme, NICE

[About one of Groundswell’s HHPA Caseworkers] - He’s been there, and it does help you know. Most people read from a book and if you’ve actually done it [experienced homelessness] you know, it does help.

— Former client and HHPA volunteer

We are really grateful to Groundswell for their brilliant leaflets about a range of health issues which we are distributing across our services.

— Homelessness sector staff member

You know you’ve been at a great event, when you leave interrogating how you work, your core values & if you’ve done enough to elevate the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness.

— Homelessness sector staff member

Groundswell have played a big part in me realising my potential so just want to take this chance to say thank you again.

— Former volunteer

I want to use my experience to improve the system for others.

— Groundswell volunteer

After the HHPA training you have a Progression Manager and that’s the corner stone of everything they guide you through what to do with the skills you have learnt and how to build on them. Groundswell have that manner of being there when the change happens so you don’t have to go through everything by yourself.

— Former HHPA volunteer

Working with other people who struggle to manage their lives actually helped me to manage my own and it was a constant reminder to myself of why I cannot go back to that life.

— City of London Advisory panel volunteer

I have a lot of understanding and empathy because I’m a former rough sleeper and recovering alcoholic, so I’ve been there, and I understand clients well. I find it very rewarding helping others, plus it helps me in recovery. I have a purpose now.

— Former HHPA volunteer

The clients we work with don’t have many people they can really talk to. When we meet them, we are on the same level; it’s not them and us, it’s just us. We offer a glimmer of light - showing an interest in those we work with as people. We’re not there to judge - we’re there to listen and we can say ‘I know, I’ve been there’.

— Former HHPA volunteer

I work as a Care Navigator. When I meet someone, I get them talking by talking about my own experiences. They say “oh, you’ve been homeless.” They gel with you then. Once people have found out you’ve been there, everyone’s sort of on the same level.

— Adrian, HHPA Caseworker

Volunteering at Groundswell has given me the confidence to get my life back on track and start working again. I get such a buzz from getting to know my clients and helping them to sort their health out.

— HHPA Caseworker (former volunteer)

At Groundswell I can be open and honest and I am not judged.

— Groundswell volunteer

Our training offer explained in videos

You can watch these videos to learn more about Groundswell’s training offer for professionals in the homelessness sector and people with lived experience.

Our Learning and Development Manager, Sharon, explains how Groundswell’s training works and the benefits of bespoke training.

Our Learning and Development Manager, Sharon talks to volunteer, Sarka, about her questions on Groundswell training for professionals working in the sector and beyond.

For those looking to learn new skills and help others, Groundswell offers training to people with lived experience of homelessness or multiple disadvantage.

Service providers and other professionals

GP surgeries and other health providers

Volunteers

People using homelessness services

Our training offer explained in videos

Keep in Touch