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PAST SEMINARS
ONE DAY SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS
Integrating the Values Inside - Respect and Co-operation
26th January 1995
About the seminar
The Seminar explored the importance and va lu e of respect & co-operation in our working relationship with colleagues and prisoners. It did so through the exploration of several themes including;
- the meaning of service,
- meditation - the value of silence,
- teamwork & leadership - integrating respect and co-operation into work,
- rights and responsibilities, and
- the meaning of behaviour.
Why is respect necessary?
The White Paper of 1991, says:
"... the effects of imprisonment can be severe...... Imprisonment can lessen people's sense of responsibility for their actions and reduce their self-respect, both of which are fundamental to law abiding citizenship...... "
In our working environment, lack of respect creates fear and tension in relationships and lessens co-operation. Respect opens the door of cooperation and brings positivity into our daily communications.
Presenters included:
Malcolm Gillan, Senior Prison Officer, HMP Reading
Sister Jayanti, Director of BK WSU
Mike George, International Management Consultant
Naoise Power, Prison Teacher, BK WSU
Maureen Goodman , Programme Co-ordinator for BK WSU
Viv Lever, Deputy Education officer, HMYOI Huntercombe
10th July 1996
About the seminar
The seminar provided participants with the time and space to explore the nature of responsibility both as it impacts on our own lives and on the lives of others. It built on the Seminar ' Putting Values to Work' held in November, 1995 which focused upon the personal values we bring to our roles and ways in which we might sustain those within the pressures we face.
Presenters include:
Graham Ashmore, Prison Officer, HMP Stanford Hill
Gail Bradley, Partner, Behaviourial Health Partnership and Probation Officer
Mike George, Management Consultant
Malcolm Gillan, Senior Prison Officer, HMP Grendon
Dadi Janki, Additional Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris
Sister Jayanti, Director, Brahma Kumaris London
Viv Lever, Deputy Education Manager, HMYOI's Huntercombe & Finnamore Wood
David Sherwood, Governor, HMP Highpoint
Spirituality and Ethics in the Prison System
Wednesday 28th November, 2001 .
About the seminar
Spirituality is a fundamental and integral part of every human being's efforts to make sense of their lives and their world, irrespective of any religious commitment. It is the search for meaning, purpose and identity as well as the experience of inner strength and stability, all of which contribute to healthy relationships. Spirituality is, therefore, an essential part of the development of any well-balanced community.
The exploration and application of a spiritual perspective can complement and enhance the positive practices already found in the prison environment, enable a deeper level of understanding of the Vision and Values that defines the ethos of the Prison Service and bring a greater alignment to the ethical behaviour that underpins the unique community of every prison.
Through workshops, panel discussion and open forums, participants had an opportunity to explore:
- the spiritual foundation of positive interactions,
- the connection between values and ethical behaviour,
- ways to maintain harmony and stability in the working environment,
- methods that create positive change for the future.
Speakers included:
Juliette Brown , Trainer,
Malcolm Gillan, Head of Operations, HMYOI Huntercombe,
Jill Hampson, Prison Officer, HMP Wormwood Scrubs,
Neville Hodgkinson, Author/Journalist,
Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris,
Alan Ogier, Methodist & Free Church Superintendent for Prisoners,
Naoise Power, Brahma Kumaris Prison Teacher
Sustaining Prison Staff - a Spiritual Perspective
Wednesday 27th February, 2002 .
About the seminar
At a time when the roles of prison staff, particularly the prison officers, are receiving a higher profile, this seminar provides an opportunity to explore, create and develop positive perspectives. It will address aspects of use and abuse of personal power, providing insights into positive, supportive and sustaining interactions. Without the development of a strong values-based expression of one's role, there cannot be the sensitive exercising of personal power.
Through workshops, discussion and open forums, participants had an opportunity to explore the:
- importance of remaining flexible
- exercising of power and authority to their best effect
- use of words and behaviour in becoming role models
- importance of promoting self awareness, self esteem and spiritual intelligence.
Speakers included:
Dr Beverley Crooks, Ofsted Inspector, University of Greenwich and member of the National Home-School Group
Malcolm Gillan, Head of Operations, HMYOI Huntercombe
Neville Hodgkinson, Author/Journalist
Dr Prashant Kakode, Director, Centre for Integral Health
Tim Newell , Former Governor, HMP Grendon & Spring Hill
Doug Stephenson, Prison Education Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris
Influencing Positive Change ... Positively
Wednesday 18th September 2002
About the seminar
We all now know you cannot control the uncontrollables in life. This includes other people, systems and cultures. But there is always the possibility of influence. Infact life itself is a journey of influence as we interact, learn from each other and help others to grow. But how do we influence positively? How do we persuade with the right motive? How do we free ourselves from trying to control what we cannot control, and the resulting emotions of frustration and fear? How can we develop the skills of persuasion and the art of influencing positive change?
The purpose of this one day seminar is to explore and understand the skills of influence and persuasion particularly in the context of our workplace roles and relationships. Whether we are speaking one-on-one, to groups or putting forward our views at a meeting, our ideas are only as valuable as our ability to persuade and influence others to take action. The skills of influencing can enable you to understand and act with greater precision and credibility when communicating with others.
This one day seminar focused upon:
- how to obtain co-operation through consent
- how to build confidence in dealing with other people
- how to manage interactions with others more effectively, reduce resistance and eliminate conflict
- how to build rapport and understand others motivation
- how to build self esteem and self respect as the foundation for assertive communication
- the difference between influencing and manipulating
- identifying others values and beliefs
- the essential skills of questioning and listening - when and how to use them
- the importance of pull rather than push style of persuasion
Facilitator
Mike George: Consultant, coach, trainer and author.
Decency and Human Dignity in Prisons
Thursday 21st November 2002 ,
at HMP Kirkham, Preston , Lancashire
About the seminar
Is my dignity dependent on external acknowledgements, or is it part of my inherent worth as a human being?
Dignity is something that all human beings consider precious as it nourishes our relationships and also gives us a sense of personal fulfillment. Real dignity is something that stays with us despite changing circumstances. Human dignity and decency can therefore be seen as the expression of an inner state of self-worth. How can we develop and sustain that sense of self-worth?
This seminar was one response to the Prison Services' own focus on these important issues.
Through workshops, discussion and open forums, participants had an opportunity to:
- examine and recognise the relationship between dignity and decency,
- explore the importance of personal and professional values in an organisational context,
- recognise their inherent source of dignity,
- identify personal tools, mechanisms and support structures that enhance good relationships.
Speakers included:
Maureen Goodman , Programme Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris
Goeff Marlow, Business Consultant
Barbara Marsh, Independent Trainer
Doug Stephenson, Prison Education Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris
David Thomas, Governor, HMP Kirkham
Enlightened Leadership - Working Together Effectively
Wednesday 12th March, 2003
About this seminar
Leadership used to be about being 'in charge', with everyone else following. Today it is much more about people working together towards common goals. At any time, any of us might 'take the lead' by bringing a new insight to a situation, providing the wisdom or spark of clarity that enables positive change and growth.
Effective leadership depends on the quality of our decisions, actions and interactions. These in turn depend on how we see ourselves and our roles. With deeper understanding we can tap inner resources that bring about change through power rather than force.
The seminar/workshop provided an opportunity to:
- discover a new level of leadership understanding to help enrich team, group and individual interactions;
- develop an awareness that enables one to remain alert to potential personal leadership opportunities;
- experiment with practical tools and methods that build on and complement ones' existing leadership skills;
- gain new insights into how to "make the difference that makes the difference".
Presenter
Geoff Marlow , Director, Aligned Agility Ltd.
Working Together - Cultivating Respect and Appreciation
September 3rd 2003 ,
About the seminar
Working within the criminal justice and social services arena can be particularly challenging; many of the extremely difficult situations and circumstances our clients are experiencing are often projected onto those with whom they are working. This seminar will explore how it is possible to not only cope with this but to exemplify positive regard and appreciation amongst our colleagues and clients. What would this way of being look like and how can it be made a reality?
This seminar enabled participants to:
- reflect on what currently brings out the best in interactions;
- identify possibilities for change, growth and development;
- provide very practical tools to support the positive changes identified;
- recognise and enhance personal strengths and qualities that facilitate positive regard;
- appreciate the impact of both spoken and unspoken language on relationships.
Facilitators
Mal Gillan, Head of Residence, HMYOI Huntercombe
Doug Stephenson, Prison Outreach Co-ordinator, Brahma Kumaris
Understanding and Mastering Change
Thursday 25th November 2004
To master change in the modern world it is necessary to understand why the speed, magnitude and quantity of change is now exponential. Only through understanding the invisible forces which accelerate change can we create the foresight, choose the right tools and develop the skills to help both ourselves and others master the day-to-day dynamics of change.
The purpose of this one day workshop is threefold.
- to deepen our understanding of the dynamic processes of change at the levels of self, organisation and world.
- to identify and begin to develop the tools and skills to respond effectively.
- to anticipate future macro and micro change trends.
This workshop offers an opportunity to:
- recognise why the world, the organisation and the self are inextricably linked, and why nothing positive can happen without fully understanding this interconnectedness
- identify the invisible forces which drive change and those which block and hinder change/improvement in every circumstance and situation.
- identify how to improve the delivery of any 'caring service' despite thousands of uncontrollably changing factors.
- find out why change cannot be 'managed' and why so many change management programmes and strategies seldom work in the long term.
- understand and begin to resolve the tensions inherent at all levels of change i.e. the tensions between force and power, resistance and acceptance, enforcing and encouraging, telling and asking, being and doing.
- begin to build the tools and further develop the skills of change mastery.
The workshop we will weave together the key factors which affect all forms of change
We will look at: The Self- The Organisation - The World
Each of these levels is intimately interconnected in many ways. To sustain a process of progressive, positive change we need to know exactly how they are integrated. Working effectively at one level is absolutely impossible without including the others.
We will use: Our IQ our EQ and our SQ
Most of us learn to see through the eye of rational intelligence (IQ) where analysis, logic and reason reign supreme. Others learn to see through the eyes of emotional intelligence (EQ) where sensitivity, empathy and compassion shape our perceptions, our feelings and our actions. Only a very few of us will learn to see the world through the eyes of spiritual intelligence (SQ) where meaning and purpose, and our deepest values, will form the basis of our ability to discern the right way to be, and the best thing to do.
We will see: The Past, the Present and the Future
By understand the past we create a sense of the future. Plotting trends and seeing patterns provide massive clues about what's next!
We will identify our Choices, Actions and Outcomes
The world never moves so fast that we never have time to create options and assess the possible outcomes of each. Learning how to create possibility thinking and how to assess the quality and implications of actions is seldom something we attend to in any depth.
Saturday 4th March 2006
About this seminar
Anger is an expression of inner pain; an indication that all is not well in our world. It is one of the most powerful and destructive emotions. Whether it seeps out in the form of irritation and resentment, or explodes in full rage, it causes damage to the self and others. Anger also has many subtle faces which influence our behaviour and our relationships.
The seminar helped participants to change the anger within and use their energy in more positive ways?
'Overcoming Anger'was an opportunity to explore:
- the reason why anger happens so easily and quickly,
- the effects of anger on our well being,
- the impact of anger on our relationships in the short and long term,
- the underlying causes of anger,
- practical solutions for healing the wounds which anger creates.
Facilitators :
John McConnel : John is a stress management consultant/trainer and former prison governor and social worker. He has considerable knowledge of, and insight into, the anger process and its solutions and has for many years been helping people to deal with its consequences.
Carole Buchanan : Carole is an HR Management Consultant/Trainer with broad people-management skills developed and applied in senior management positions in commercial and voluntary sector organisations and in personal development work within communities.
Finding Stability Inside and Out
February 2006
About this seminar
The challenges in our working circumstances continue relentlessly, affecting every individual. To find effective coping strategies and solutions, our inner stability is of paramount importance. A key factor is maintaining our personal dignity for real dignity is something that stays with us, despite changing circumstances.
The seminar was designed to make a difference to your working life!
Participants:
- recognised negative feelings and influences and explore empowering alternatives.
- explored the importance of personal and professional values.
- developed a new level of consciousness to help enrich team, group and individual interactions.
- identified personal methods to maintain and nurture inner stability.
Speakers included :
Liz Archer , General Practitioner,
Mal Gillan, Head of Residence, HMYOI Huntercombe,
Neville Hodgkinson, Author and journalist
Sister Jayanti, European Director, Brahma Kumaris,
John McConnel, Trainer
Dan Sanger , I nternational Humanitarian Relief Worker
Excellent! The seminar was well thought through with each session being so well linked to the next. I found the whole experience most valuable. 
David Willis
Resettlement Manager
HMYOI Huntercombe