Train the trainer: Falmouth & Exeter Universities

We worked for Falmouth and Exeter Universities on a new strategy for training student-facing staff – across both professional services and faculties – on student mental health issues.

We devised a competency framework for the Universities and, to implement the framework, devised three new training modules on understanding student mental health, managing distressed students, and self-care and resilience for staff members.

A ‘train the trainer’ model involved us creating the three new half-day training modules so that the Universities' own counsellors and mental health practitioners could then deliver these with confidence to staff.

We produced full training packs, including PowerPoint slides, case studies, handouts, and detailed trainer's notes. The trainer's notes did not provide a verbatim script for trainers, but rather a slide-by-slide account of key points that the trainer might wish to bring out in each section of the training.

The trainer's notes also included helpful practical tips for managing the conversation in the training room on what are, after all, tricky and complex issues related to student mental health and our own wellbeing. Here are a few sample pages from the trainer's notes.

Get in touch to discuss how we can support you and your organisation to deliver excellent support to students.