Our CPD is now well established on the Zoom platform.
Although of course we value the face to face experience, and miss being able to chat in the breaks and reconnect with old friends who work in other places, zoom has brought unexpected benefits. It is possible for people to join us from anywhere in the world. There are no travel expenses or costly accommodation fees. Many people have noticed the intimacy and positive atmosphere that can be created.
Participants have commented:
‘I actually enjoyed the Zoom experience and found it more involving and helped with more connectedness with other participants in some ways. It felt like it made it possible to connect with people across the world making the cultural experience richer.’
‘Given the current COVID context, I think the adaptation of the training to Zoom was very good.’
The centre piece of our month was the workshop by Paolo Bertrando. This should have been presented with his co-director Claudia Lini who was unfortunately ill and unable to be present. Thankfully she is now recovered. Paolo took us on a magical tour through ‘Finding One’s Place’: a fluidity of systemic and dialogical ideas and practices. Participants were very appreciative. Here are just some of the comments:
‘It was one of the most efficiently run workshops I’ve ever been on! Dr Bertrando has really mastered the art of a Zoom workshop with some slides punctuated by discussions. The photographs were wonderful too. It was a wonderful workshop.’
‘Great experience and exercises. My head is buzzing but very happy as this was the most stimulating workshop I have attended.’
‘The level was much higher than other workshops and it connects perfectly to my own training at South Wales FTI.’
‘It is so good to have now watched Bertrando’s approach and participated in a dialogical process with him. I feel uplifted through this difficult time.’
‘It was a privilege to have the benefit of two days of thinking with Paolo. He fostered a rich dialogue and left me with much to contemplate. He also “modelled the model” beautifully and one learns so much from the combination of hearing about something and experiencing it at the same time.’
‘Honestly this training touched my heart as well as my mind and will inform my practice – it’s given me reconnection to Milan roots ❤ haven’t felt so inspired for years THANK YOU Paolo and IFT.’
We will definitely have Paolo and Claudia back again.
We were also blessed with a ‘familiarise yourself with online therapy workshop’ for therapists who are now working online but not quite as comfortable with the format as they would like. This was led by our own Joanne Hipplewith and although numbers were modest it was a great chance to explore some of the hidden depths of online working, including the ethical and practice dilemmas which might arise. If there is sufficient interest, we may run a modified version of these next year. They went far beyond the simple mechanics of using the platform.
Coming up fast in November we have the Festschrift for Barry Mason on the 13th. This will be our first foray into webinar land as we have a number of presenters who will be online together. This 4 hour celebration of Barry’s work will have many presenters from home and abroad. We hope to have audience participation too. We hope you do not miss this social IFT event of the year. Many have registered already. Just click here to register for this free online event. http://ift.org.uk/workshop/a-festschrift-for-barry-mason/
Later in the month on 27th November we present a smorgasbord of 5 presenters which will be of particular interest to those of you working in social care or the voluntary sector: Creating Inclusive conversations: social care and multiple relationships. Presenters include our director, Rachel Watson presenting with Lynne Milton. Barbara McKay, Nick Pendry and Richard McKenny will also offer seminars on specific topics. The breakout rooms will have facilitators who are systemic practitioners in social care settings to help lead the conversations: Nana Bonsu, Rachel Hunniford, Claire Wainwright, Nadia Galvani and Roice Durand. It is going to be a stimulating day.
http://ift.org.uk/workshop/creating-inclusive-conversations-social-care-and-multiple-relationships/
And we will close out the year with the ever popular John Burnham and Barry Mason. They will present their one-day workshop on supervising systemically on 4th December. http://ift.org.uk/workshop/supervising-systemically/
Next year will start off with a bang! Watch this space for more news to come.
