derbyshireFRIEND (df) values all of our volunteers and has a dynamic and varied training programme for its voluntary members. Training includes, an introduction to df, volunteering skills, exploring the issues facing the LGBT community, communication skills, safeguarding and other role specific training.
Training portfolio
With df's increased visibility and with increased recognition by many organisations that they have a duty to meet the needs of LGBT people, df is increasingly being asked to provide training for staff and consultancy for various forums. These include training in adult male rape; sexuality awareness and understanding homophobia. df is also able to develop courses that are now OCN accredited in partnership with Creativeness.
Awareness
Raising awareness with various professional agencies continues to be a significant part of the project's work. These sessions are tailored to meet local requests, and needs, and can range in content from providing specific individual inputs, to joining and raising debate in service meetings. This work is primarily targeted at existing and potential referring agencies.
Training
The project delivers formal training on all aspects of LGB&T life. This training work is provided both independently and in conjunction with other agencies like Creativeness, South Derbyshire CVS, PCT and Youth service.
Support and consultancy
df undertakes significant informal support and consultancy work with involved professionals, as part of on going casework processes. This input varies from professional to professional, and might include assistance in work planning, joint assessment, and telephone support. This last year has seen joint work Central/Greater Derby PCT. And Derby City Council.
Conferences and seminars
Presenting and facilitating at workshops and seminars is part of the work we undertake.
Our training team
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click here to meet the team.
Our portfolio
LGBT Awareness (OCN) level One - Basic LGB&T awareness
This training gives an insight into LGB&T issues. This course is run for frontline staff and allows a safe space to discuss confidentiality, needs of LGB&T people and case studies.
LGBT Awareness (OCN) level Two
Developing a user friendly / equality based service- We assist service providers to develop a gay and bisexual friendly service from policy formation to service provision. A holistic approach to equality that recognises the economic, cultural and political arenas allows this workshop to focus on the issues that service providers need to be aware of when working with gay / bisexual people.
Visibility in your organisation
This training workshop examines ways in which lack of visibility can be a barrier to participation of Gay and Bisexual people in an organisation. The effects of this barrier can often be that equality legislation cannot be implemented. Through the implementation of equality proofing in mission statements, constitutions, working ethos and general policy documents we look at how an organisation can be more accessible to minorities as both user groups and staff. This gives a brief overview and understanding of recent legislation and recommendations that impact positively for the Gay community. It's worth noting that the lack of visibility discourages gay service users from accessing services.
Community Social Exclusion and Equality
This workshop focuses on the processes of exclusion that operate at a community level and marginalises both minority and ethnic groups. An overview of power, patriarchy and heterosexism demonstrates how minority groups are oppressed, rendered invisible and do not have equal access to basic rights. This is an awareness raising exercise aimed at challenging those who actively work in communities and feel equality is the first principle of sustainable and healthy communities. This workshop supports participants to explore their own values and attitudes, and to challenge the personal, societal and institutional levels at which exclusionary processes occur.
Working with Gay and Bisexual Men - Holistic Health Promotion
We enable service providers to develop awareness about all aspects of health in relation to gay and bisexual men. We examine the links between mental, emotional, physical, sexual and social health. Our approach is to look at any individual as a whole person (holistically) and not to differentiate between the various aspects of health, but to examine how these interrelated strands need to work in unison for the development of healthy personalities.
Targeted Sexual Health Promotion - Gay and Bisexual men
Affective sexual health promotion can be delivered in many different ways and requires specialist knowledge and a wide range of different skills. This workshop delivers an overview of sexual health as well as a comprehensive introduction to sexual health promotion. Participants will be introduced to sources of up-to-date information, given insight into the latest trends and priorities in the sexual health sector. We will also give an introduction to the different skills needed by sexual health promoters in a range of settings.
Outreach - Sexual Health / PSE
Outreach work has been shown to be a highly effective method to deliver information about health, health-related-issues and other related information that allows the target client group to access appropriate health services. This workshop also focuses on the development of outreach services through the use of websites, internet and telephone help lines. Outreach is primarily about accessing 'hard to reach' groups, often groups who are marginalized in society. This workshop focuses on the theories of outreach, the skills required, and the different types of intervention appropriate to specific client groups.
Working with Males - Sexual Assault and Male Rape
This course outlines the issues and potential effects of male rape and sexual assault. It also discusses confidentiality, issues around disclosure and the impacts on gender and identity.
Working with LGBT Youth - Training for youth, community and social workers
This workshop addresses the wide range of issues which affect the lives of young gay/bisexual people and explores ways in which service providers can effectively understand and address the social and psychological issues that affect their lives. A better understanding of the 'coming out' process, sexual health information, your organisation's visibility, the law and homosexuality is vital in service provision. We will explore how to effectively deal with homophobia and bullying, to offer support to those having difficulties with their sexuality and offer support should they want to come out. This workshop aims to equip workers with the necessary skills and knowledge and an understanding of the dedicated services to make their organisation a more equitable and socially inclusive place to be.
One in the Family - working with families and family support workers
This workshop is for anyone working in or with family situations. In this session we examine the family response to having a LGB&T family member and how best to work in this situation. We examine the needs and fears of both the family and gay family member and how we can offer professional support, information and referral services when requested.
Combating / Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism
This is a full day training work shop that involves the participants in an intensive interactive look at their own homophobia. This workshop provides a safe environment for debate, an opportunity to discuss strategies to challenge and overcome homophobia. This is aimed presently at gay men and lesbian women.
Developing Healthy Relationships
Both intimate and non intimate relationships for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people can be very challenging in today's society. How LGB people relate to one another is influenced not only by emotional and sexual attraction, but also by how we have been socialised in a homophobic society. Through the isolation of homophobia and male/female conditioning we examine how this impacts on our awareness of emotions and feelings. Recognising these influences aims to challenge and overcome the obstacles to healthy relationships. We examine internalised homophobia, socialisation processes, gay subculture and conflict / conflict resolution as a means to developing healthy relationships.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
It is widely acknowledged that STI's and HIV infection are on the increase. This workshop focuses on the specifics of STI's, HIV, their transmission and treatment. We explore the methodologies used to raise awareness and educate people about STI's and HIV. We also explore the definite links between self esteem, personal development and positive self image and their effects at reducing the incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
Personal Development Courses
These courses are aimed specifically at Gay/Bisexual men and men who have sex with men. This course allows participants the opportunity to explore themselves and their environment in a safe and confidential manner. The issues that affect gay men's lives, such as homophobia, childhood, socialisation processes, 'coming out', remaining closeted, religion, intimacy and relationships are explored through the mediums of written work, small and large group discussion, art work and exercises in visualization and intimacy.