Supporting Connections free workshop
Can you provide loneliness support? Develop skills in supporting mental health, and learn how to help others manage loneliness and build connections. Book a free workshop.
What is Supporting Connections?
Supporting Connections is a free workshop delivered by the British Red Cross. It involves basic training for volunteers and others in supporting roles who work with people who might experience loneliness.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to support people who may be feeling lonely, enabling them to build positive connections to help ease feelings of loneliness and boost mental wellbeing.
Book now (see below)
Online workshop
Book either as an individual or a group. Group bookings are for between 5 and 20 people.
Face-to-face workshop
Booking is available for eligible groups. Select group booking to find a workshop near you.
Who is this free workshop for?
This workshop is open to anyone who wants to help others build meaningful connections. But it’s designed especially for those who work in communities with people who may experiencing loneliness. You might be a professional or a volunteer, such as a carer, teacher or coach, befriender volunteer, youth worker, community support worker, community leader or group organiser.
Please note, the Supporting Connections workshop is intended for people in supporting roles (for example, as volunteer training). If you are personally struggling with feelings of loneliness or other mental health challenges please call our free confidential support line on 0808 196 3651 for advice on loneliness support. For 24-hour support, call Samaritans on 116 123.
What will it cover?
During this interactive workshop, you’ll explore and discuss how you can see the signs of loneliness, developing your skills to support people through it. You’ll deepen your understanding of the barriers that can stand in the way of connection, and build your confidence to help others as they push through them.
Why is it important to understand loneliness and connection? Feelings of loneliness are a completely normal response to lacking positive and meaningful connections with other people. By building meaningful connections with other people, we can alleviate feelings of loneliness.
Through this workshop, you will:
- learn more about the benefits of connection when navigating loneliness
- apply your knowledge to identify the barriers to connection
- discuss how to tackle loneliness and explore ways to build connected communities including tips on how to set up a community group
- feel more able to use your skills to grow meaningful connections for people
- share your learning to help improve connections in your community.
How long does it last?
Supporting Connections is a free two-hour workshop delivered by Red Cross educators.
Who can book?
Supporting Connections is a free skills workshop for adults. It is an interactive workshop that can be delivered online or face-to-face. Please note, face-to-face workshops are available for group bookings only.
We can take individual (online only) or group bookings (5-20 people).
Book now (see below)
Online workshop
Book either as an individual or a group. Group bookings are for between 5 and 20 people.
Face-to-face workshop
Booking is available for eligible groups. Select group booking to find a workshop near you.
Testimonial
"This is the missing link regarding the training on offer for our volunteers"Volunteer Manager at a befriending organisation
"We had a really lovely discussion with each other and it opened our eyes up about loneliness"Carer
"I would absolutely recommend this workshop to others"Volunteer carer
If you have any questions or require additional information please contact redcrosseducation@redcross.org.uk
This workshop has been created in collaboration with Centre for Loneliness Studies, Sheffield Hallam University.
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More frequently asked questions about our free workshops
Who can take part in an adult workshop?
How can I take part in a workshop?
What level of education do you need to take part?
How does a group of three book onto the same workshop?
How can users with additional needs be supported?
What is expected from me if I take part in a workshop?
I’m having problems booking a workshop, what should I do?
Will I get a certificate or qualification for completing the first aid workshops?
Who can take part in an adult workshop?
Adults aged 19 and older can take part in a workshop by either joining as an individual or within an organised group. Online and telephone workshops are available for both individual and group bookings. Face-to-face workshops are only available for group bookings and to those most in need. Group bookings can be between 5 to 15 people.
How can I take part in a workshop?
You can take part in our workshops in different ways. While the content is broadly the same, the workshop you take part in will be based on several factors including your location and personal circumstance. Here's what you can expect from the different delivers.
Online
Online workshops take place either via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This is specified when making your booking. You can use a smart phone, tablet or computer for the online sessions - you just need a microphone to take part. You can book an online workshop by filling out the correct booking form.
Face to face
The face-to-face workshops involve our educator coming to an agreed location to deliver the workshop in person. All you will need is space for the group to work in a comfortable and safe manner. Not everyone will be eligible for a face-to-face workshop. To find out if your group is and to book a session, click the link below.
> Check availability and book face-to-face sessions
Telephone
These workshops use the telephone option on Zoom, or you can join using a landline or mobile telephone. If your organisation uses a different platform, there may be a UK call charge associated with joining. You can book a telephone workshop by filling out the correct booking form, just find the workshop you are looking for a click on the link.
What level of education do you need to take part?
There's no educational requirement to take part in the workshop.
How does a group of three book onto the same workshop?
You can each book a workshop as individuals or contact our support team who can talk you through your options either via email RedCrossEducation@Redcross.org.uk or call 0344 412 2734.
How can users with additional needs be supported?
If you require additional support, then please get in touch with our team. They will be able to advise on specific cases. This could include students with English as a second language, blindness/low vision, and deafness/hearing loss.
What is expected from me if I take part in a workshop?
The workshops are interactive and there's an expectation that you will join in with activities and discussion. How much you join in is based on what you are comfortable with. If you have any concerns about interacting with a group please contact our support team via email RedCrossEducation@Redcross.org.uk or call 0344 412 2734.
I’m having problems booking a workshop, what should I do?
If you run into problems or feel more comfortable speaking to someone from our team then please get in touch with us, either via email RedCrossEducation@Redcross.org.uk or call 0344 412 2734.
Will I get a certificate or qualification for completing the first aid workshops?
The workshops are designed to build personal skills and offer valuable insight into topics and issues affecting people and their communities. Rather than a formal qualification, each workshop has a set of learning objectives that can be achieved by completing the entire session. If you or your group take part in a first aid workshop, we can provide a certificate of learning you can fill in yourself or on behalf of others, but this does not meet any workplace requirements. For accredited first aid courses, please visit British Red Cross training.