Course Evaluations and Outcomes

We continue to measure outcomes and feedback from our courses. The Feedback from our courses has been really positive this year and includes strong indicators of changes in knowledge, skills and attitudes for course participants. Dr. Sinead Hanafin, Managing Director of Research Matters, has independently evaluated our Brief Encounters® courses. Commissioned courses were delivered to Public Health Nurses, a multi-disciplinary team in a leading disability service, and in the Homeless Initiative, a course tailored for those who work with people experiencing homelessness.

Research shows that 100% of participants felt that this training was useful in their practice. 

Outcomes from Brief Encounters® training with staff from different sectors

Public Health Nurses*

Research shows that relationships have a considerable impact on a person’s well-being. Therefore, it makes sense that those who work in the healthcare sector should be knowledgeable how they can improve wellbeing by offering relationship support. Over 80% of participants on this course reported increased awareness of different aspects of relationships including: changes and stages in a relationship, the factors which strengthen relationships and relationship breakdown. An increased knowledge about relationships in this way will equip practitioners to include relational well-being in their practice.  
*(n=15)

Multi-disciplinary Team Working in the Area of Disability*

Extra stress can arise in families who are caring for a child or adult with a disability. Offering families support to deal with this stress can be very helpful for them. An evaluation of our course with people who work in this area shows that 93% of participants felt they were better able to support families having completed this training, in comparison to 29% before they completed the training. It is important that frontline workers are confident in their ability to support families in these situations, as it means they are more likely to recognise and respond to issues as they arise and this will improve outcomes for children.  *(n=18)

Homeless Services Staff*

Those who are experiencing homelessness are often distressed and struggling with mental health issues. Being given the time, attention and respect from service providers during this time can help people experiencing homelessness feel that people care. Having completed Brief Encounters, 90% of participants who work with people experiencing homelessness said that they would be likely to offer support, in comparison to 72% before completing the course. *(n=30)