Ag Éisteacht, a registered charity aimed at promoting effective communication and engagement, is hosting a number of courses to support frontline workers in the fields of healthcare and education in Dublin and Cork in May 2015.

The courses were created to support the needs of frontline workers who have faced increasing cuts to resources in recent years and can be under significant pressure in their interactions with clients. Ag Éisteacht’s courses provide the tools to build strong, appropriate relationships with clients when frontline workers are faced with limited time and resources.

Speaking about Ag Éisteacht’s upcoming courses, Dr Maeve Hurley, GP and founder of Ag Éisteacht, said:

“Healthcare and education workers deal with people at different stages of their lives every day, many of whom may be struggling. Effectively engaging with these clients, listening to them and empowering them in finding their own solutions is essential, but training can be lacking in this area, and workers are telling us they are increasingly over-stretched.

“Our accredited and evidence-based training courses are designed to ensure frontline workers feel they are well equipped and confident to deal with the multitude of situations they encounter in their day. It is our goal to make life easier for frontline workers and to support them in every way we can,” Dr Hurley said.

Brief Encounters® training enables frontline workers to recognise signs of distress and strengthens their skills to respond in a sensitive and proactive way to those who may be struggling, using a brief intervention model.

How to Argue Better blended learning courses train professionals and those working with families to educate families on effectively managing conflict, thus improving outcomes for children.

All frontline workers in the areas of healthcare and education are welcome to attend the courses. Courses are evidence-based and are approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for nurses and midwives. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) approval is pending for social workers.

All courses are monitored and evaluated to ensure consistent high quality and to measure changes in knowledge, skills and attitude/confidence as a result of Ag Éisteacht training. Some 1160 frontline workers have availed of Ag Éisteacht’s training in the past 13 years, with professionals from organisations in the community and public sector attending the courses, including frontline workers from primary and secondary schools, the HSE, city councils, the mental health sector, and charitable organisations.

Early booking of these courses is advised to avoid disappointment. To learn more or to book a course, see www.ageisteacht.com

Ag Éisteacht’s upcoming courses are as follows:
Brief Encounters®:

Three Day Course: May 14th, 28th and 29th, Wisdom Centre, Dublin
E-Module and One Day Workshop: Saturday, June 13th, Maryborough Hotel, Cork

How to Argue Better:

One Day Workshop: May 12th, Maryborough Hotel, Cork
One Day Workshop: May 27th, Wisdom Centre, Dublin