Your Story Matters Introductory Course - Frequently Asked Questions
1.What will I get from the course?
You will undertake a one day introduction course to ‘Your Story Matters' (YSM). YSM seeks to promote the mainstreaming of the use of life stories (as distinct from reminiscence work) which supports the practicable application and embedding of a human rights based approach to underpin person-centred care. It is an approach particularly relevant to people with dementia; as their illness progresses, their life story enables people around them to get to know and understand them beyond their dementia, giving them a means of engagement and communication which would otherwise be far more difficult.
2.Where will the training take place?
There will be venues based in the South of England, South West (Bristol), the Midlands (Birmingham) and the North (York). These will be confirmed with an offer of a place on the course. Provisional dates and venues are on the online booking form.
3.Who will pay my travel costs?
Delegates are responsible for their own travel costs. The Department of Health are paying the fees to access the course and for the supply of the supporting training materials.
4.Do I have to have previous experience of using life stories to get a place on the course?
No. But you do need to work with or care for someone in England who has dementia. You might work in a hospital, a care home, deliver care at home, work as a volunteer or be a carer.
Note for carers: details of a training session for Uniting Carers, Dementia UK will be circulated by Dementia UK in the near future.
5.If I apply now but then cannot attend will I be liable to any costs?
Applying for a place on the introductory course carries no liability to any costs. Applying for a place does not guarantee a place on the training.
Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course after the closing date. If at this time, you decide not to take up a place on the course and you inform us, no costs will be incurred. Should you accept a place and subsequently not attend then an administration fee of £30 will be applicable.
6.How much time will my training take up?
There will be short pre-course on-line assessment prior to a one day face to face training session which will introduce you to the course and the supporting materials. This will be followed up with online learning reflection exercises, a short assessment and the opportunity to create online a life story book and to receive a hard printed copy of the completed story. The Department of Health have purchased books for all delegates.
7.What will the online learning consist of?
If you are offered a place and accept, we will ask you to complete a short assessment about life stories and human rights as mentioned in 6 above.
Following the training session you will be given access to an online virtual learning environment (e-learning) along with full instructions on how to use it. This will include resources and materials you used in the face to face day, and other resources via the network.
You will also be given access and instructions on compiling an online life story book, which all those undertaking Your Story Matters will have chance to complete. Each delegate will receive a printed hard copy of their completed book.
You will also be able to print out a certificate on completion of your course
8. I have another question about the training, how do I contact the LSN?
Please contact us via the website here:http://www.lifestorynetwork.org.uk/contact-details/
Please note we will respond to your enquiry as quickly as possible but your application does not guarantee a place.
We expect high interest in the Your Story Matters project and demand for places on the course.
Download a PDF copy of these FAQ`s
