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 I
think this training will stay with me forever. Isle of Wight Council Absolutely amazing - every staff member should have seen it.Advance Housing This is the best training I have attended since joining the force 23 years
ago.Humberside Police |
| • | Private |
| • | NHS |
| • | Local Government |
| • | Central Government |
| • | Housing |
| • | Voluntary |
We work with a diverse and varied range of organisations from the public, private and voluntary sector.
Our clients range from major blue chip companies like Arriva Plc, Ford Motor Company and Dixons, to not-for-profit organisations such as Oxfam, The British Red Cross and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. We also work with numerous organisations within local/central government, including the NHS, the police and the armed services.
The following case studies provide just a snap-shot of our work. Please call so that we can give you the full background to projects most relevant to your particular organisation.
Private
Managing Change – Tribal Resourcing
Tribal Resourcing commissioned The Garnett Foundation to research and develop a two hour training intervention as part of their staff annual conference.
A bespoke theatrical production looking at issues around change, what the future could look like and inter departmental communication was devised after consultation with key staff. The play, ‘Box Clever’ by Ali Adolph creatively used the theme of time travel to help the audience see how situations can be perceived in a number of ways. It was an upbeat, humorous and engaging piece that formed the focus of the day, 79% of delegates reported they found the event thought provoking with numerous discussions opening up around race, perceptions and empathy.
Embracing Diversity
Ford Southampton worked
together with The Garnett Foundation to develop
a collaborative partnership and deliver diversity
training to 3000 people in Hampshire. The
centerpiece of the training was a hard-hitting,
full scale theatrical production, The Challenge,
written following research involving Ford
and a diverse range of organisations including
The NHS, The Royal Navy and The Royal Air
Force."Ford is committed to developing and encouraging a fully inclusive workforce. We believe that forum theatre is a proactive, non threatening medium, through which to explore diversity related issues and to seek solutions which can be transferred to the workplace. We intend that every employee in the Southampton plant will be given the opportunity to share in this experience."
Keith Stanton, Plant Manager Ford Southampton
Managing conflict
A ground-breaking piece of work was developed
to help Parking Attendants improve their
interpersonal skills and find strategies
to handle extreme confrontation and abuse.
Through research and consultation a play
'Fair weather' was developed and together
with facilitated workshops, formed a programme
of events run across three London Boroughs. "The methods employed by The Garnett Foundation are original and impressive and were effective in equipping the Parking Attendant with tools and understanding to better interact with the public."
Simon Kitchener - APCOA's Head of Central London Region.
This project won the British Parking Awards 2006 category for Innovation.
Valuing, Managing and
Welcoming Difference
A professional theatrical piece was developed
and together with facilitated workshops,
trained 1700 directors, managers, supervisors
and staff on the importance of valuing and
welcoming difference. How to address and effectively train Arriva's 24,000 strong workforce was a huge challenge. The Garnett Foundation designed and implemented a 'train the trainer' programme through which 100 facilitators were developed in order to deliver diversity training to Arriva staff across the board, using a bespoke workshop and specially developed discussion DVD.
"We were looking for an innovative way to engage our senior managers and gain their support for our business case for diversity. I knew traditional classroom style training would not achieve one of our objectives to challenge and change values and beliefs. Whilst initially I was nervous of the forum theatre approach soon after meeting Andy and his team, I realised this could work for us. To date, all my colleagues from the Main Board, including the Chairman and the non-executive directors, and over another 1800 managers and supervisors have attended Valuing and Managing Difference workshops featuring customised theatre experiences. The response has exceeded my expectations and you can see change taking place on a daily basis. This is really exciting for us."
Mark Saxton HR Director, Arriva plc
Other Relevant Clients
- Freemans USA
- Liberata
- BP
- Kier Build Maintenance
- Pitney Bowes
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NHS
Over
the last ten years we have worked with a variety
of different NHS Trusts and Partnerships throughout
the country. The following provides a snapshot
of some of our work:Giving Patients a Greater Voice - NHS
Trent Region
As part of the modernisation agenda of the
National Health Service a new initiative has
been developed giving patients a greater voice
over their healthcare. Every NHS Trust is required
to provide a Patient Advice and Liaison Service
(PALS), designed to enable patients to affect
the service they receive and how they receive
it. The Garnett Foundation worked closely with
various parts of the NHS Executive with a major
collaborative project in the North to assist
in the consultation and implementation phases
of PALS across the region. During the consultation
phase a website was developed and forum theatre
was used to explore a variety of issues surrounding
patients' involvement in their healthcare.
We produced a series of high impact workshops
involving forum theatre techniques to assist
NHS Trusts in the implementation of PALS and
the engagement of staff across the NHS sector.Signalling Change - Portsmouth
Hospitals NHS Trust
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust recently revised
their Staff Policy Framework which is an integral
part of the new approach to staff management
and signals the organisation's culture. In
order for the new policies to be fully effective,
it is vital that all staff, but in particular
managers and supervisors, understand why such
changes are necessary and how the application
of the policies will influence staff behaviour
and motivation. Said Mark Power, Head of Corporate HR Services,
"Commissioning theatre signalled a departure from the more traditional methods of training delivery and was very well received. Participants found the interactive sessions to be a thoroughly engaging, challenging and highly effective means of raising awareness of issues. Working with the professional and friendly Garnett Foundation team to establish the programme content and delivery was also a real pleasure and I would happily recommend them to other organisations."
Positively
Diverse - Kings College Hospital
As part of their Communication and Care Workstream, Kings College Hospital have delivered a series of diversity awareness workshops involving theatre to just under 2000 people from all areas within the Trust. The Garnett Foundation has worked closely with the team at Kings regularly reviewing and updating the training content, the consistent positive feedback from delegates inspires the programme with staff now requesting places in advance.
"We have found using this approach very innovative and aids in getting the message across without patronising our staff."
Jenny Steel, Kings College Hospital
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Local Government
Encouraging Community
Cohesion
A highly successful collaborative
partnership of organisations was formed to
promote diversity awareness and social inclusion
across the North East Lincolnshire region,
involving 700 participants. Research highlighted
the success of this partnership and the impetus
and renewed focus on diversity awareness
within the region. "I had a dream about bringing the play here and I'm delighted it has now become a reality. We have already had lots of people coming to us after seeing the play and taking part in the workshops and saying it's the best training they have ever been to. They can take what they have learned back into their organisations and it will benefit the community as a whole."
Peter Barnard, Registrar, The Grimsby
Every Child Matters Agenda
- Lincolnshire Area Child Protection Committee
This sensitive subject was addressed using
theatrical techniques which looked at how
children are communicated with and examined
the impact and effects of both positive and
negative communication on the child. These
scenes are powerful in content and are designed
to generate an emotional response. The project
was extremely successful in facilitating
a greater understanding of the key issues
that form part of the every Child Matters
Agenda.
Embracing Difference
Working with the Royal Borough and
six other major organisations, this successful
partnership approach provided the momentum
to drive forward the diversity agenda within
the wider community and trained over 800
people living and working within Kensington
and Chelsea. This project achieved the PPMA
(Public Sector People Managers' Association,
previously SOCPO) coveted Gold level award
for long term sustainable improvement in
the diversity performance of an organisation.
(K& C logo & include
photo here) "I highly commend using theatre as a training methodology, the Royal Borough has found it to be non-threatening, enjoyable and highly productive. To continue our good record on promoting diversity we decided to work in Partnership with other organisations within the Borough allowing a consistent message for ourselves, our partners and our contractors. Working as a partnership allows the project to be financially viable and most importantly brings people together to share experiences and an opportunity to explore local diversity issues."
George Bishop HR Director, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Managing Bullying in the Workplace - Lincolnshire
County Council
A high impact play formed the centerpiece
of a training event, developed to look at
issues around managing bullying and aggressive
behaviour within the workplace. The training
provided a catalyst to effect change within
the work environment helping the audience
look at strategies to tackle inappropriate
language and behaviour. "The play was an excellent way of dealing with a difficult topic. In a unique way, it raised awareness of behaviours which could be perceived as bullying, and brought these to life for the audience. In terms of content, it was well-researched, realistic, and recognisable. All in all, much food for thought, and an impetus for dealing with the topic back at the office."
Tony Mcardle, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire County Council
Inspiring Diversity & Valuing Others – Essex Local Authorities
Local authorities in Essex formed a partnership and rolled out a training programme to 3,000 staff in diversity awareness. This partnership project is a great example of how different authorities can pool resources, share best practice and create opportunity for a diverse audience to learn together. After a very successful launch at Cressing Temple with council members, voluntary groups and employees attending, a programme of half day training events was rolled out in different venues across Essex.
The aim was to create a celebratory experience and a ground breaking project that would have a sustaining effect on behaviour, attitudes and performance, and bring memorable and lasting results. The training looked at diversity awareness and the benefits of recruiting a diverse workforce.
The project was funded by Building Capacity for East. “We need to make efforts to ensure everyone is included, for example people with disabilities, young people, minority ethnic groups, travellers and people in remote rural locations. That all our services are delivered appropriately, easy to reach, welcoming and available to all sections of society. This Inspiring Diversity programme is part of our organisations’ preparation to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow.”
Marion Lee, Project Lead, Brentwood Council
89% of participants strongly agreed or agreed that the training helped them think about their own language and behaviour:
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Central Government
Embracing Diversity
The Garnett Foundation has been working with Royal Navy and RAF since 2003 were they were involved in the research informing the script of the play The Challenge by Lisa Evans. Both organisations sent personnel on multi-agency events featuring the play. Since that time, the RAF has commissioned further tailored events resulting in the training of over 6000 personnel. We have also recently worked with the Royal Marines, MOD and British Army. In addition to the above training, we researched, wrote and produced a DVD to support a Training the Trainer programme in the RAF, and delivered diversity training for Instructors at RAF Halton.
"The events have been the subject of unprecedented positive feedback from the delegates who attended, who found the day to be extremely worthwhile and a source of inspiration. There have been requests from delegates who wish to follow up some of the themes - and that can only be a positive thing in respect of 'mainstreaming' diversity in the Royal Air Force. Clearly it was an outstanding success built on the team efforts of all involved."
Wing Commander PJ Sagar MBE The Royal Air Force
Scene But Not Herd – MOD Leadership Development Training
This memorable 30 minute piece of theatre was devised as a catalyst to energise and motivate senior level MOD personnel to perform with ‘pace, passion, pride and professionalism’. The play demonstrated the consequences that inappropriate language can have on the morale of the people working in an organisation. Effective Networking and Managing Change - Prison Service Conference
A theatrical scene was created as the centrepiece for a training event within the annual staff conference. The piece reflected back to a mixed audience of Prison personnel issues that arise when change in the organisation occurs and how networking is approached within the service. Interactive sessions were facilitated after the play to give staff confidence in delivering effective communication and to share useful networking techniques.
Train the Trainer Diversity Programme – Prison Service
An innovative programme involving the training of over 300 Prison Facilitators, will impact on a workforce of 50,000. Facilitators will be learning how to deliver a powerful, diversity message to all staff using specially prepared ‘training tool kits’. At the heart of the kit is a high impact DVD, presenting issues that arise in the service. Training will cover how to use this material effectively and facilitate interactive events that will support diversity being embraced across the service. Challenging Diversity – Metropolitan Police and Transport for London
The Metropolitan Police and Transport for London have joined together to run a series of training events, featuring the diversity play, The Challenge by Lisa Evans.These one day events looked at a wide range of diversity issues and are inspired by the organisations commitment to providing a service of excellence and underpinned by examining how people interact with their colleagues and the public.
“I want us all to celebrate everyone’s outstanding contribution for everything that we do in the unit, and to remember the excellent work that is delivered day after day supporting Working Together for a Safer London.”
Joe Royle, Chief Superintendent, Transport Operational Command Unit
Inspiring Diversity - Cabinet Office and The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
During this series of specialised training events using forum theatre and electronic voting technology, senior personnel looked at a number of thought provoking questions around diversity. Attendees included Private Secretaries, Parliamentary Managers and Officers, Special Advisors and Senior Diversity Team Champions.These workshops encouraged delegates to consider what it is like to be in another person’s world and to investigate how valuing others can generate creativity and new ways of thinking.
The forum's approach refreshed my awareness that life thrives in diversity. It also underscored a different perspective on the importance of an inclusive culture and equality for all."
Stephen Grubb, Human Resources Strategic Project Manager.
Civil Service Capability Group - Cabinet Office
Diversity Training - Valuation Tribunal Service
Over 300 Officers from across the service received diversity training using forum theatre at venues in London, Doncaster and Stafford. The rollout was a tremendous success with 70% of delegates reporting they found the events different, thought provoking and involving, and 95% of delegates mentioned they would recommend the event to a colleague.Leadership & Management Training – Valuation Tribunal Service
Following on from success of the ‘Diversity Awareness’ training throughout the Valuation Tribunal Service, The Garnett Foundation were asked to provide management/leadership sessions of involving interactive forum theatre, for Clerks and Senior Professional Tribunal Officers.In small groups individuals were worked with an actor using a specifically researched script to practice their management of behaviour. Feedback was then given from the actors, facilitators and other delegates, to help develop skills and improve confidence levels.
Current perceived organisational issues were looked at as a group and solutions investigated, helping the teams consolidate learning from the day. Taking responsibility and the benefits of positive communication were some of the areas addressed. Personal action plans were committed to at the end of each event, with feed back showing delegates found the workshops extremely valuable and useful.
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Housing
Living Diversity
A ground breaking project incorporating live theatre
was developed to act as a catalyst to support and
promote positive approaches to embracing diversity
and sharing good leadership practice across the
housing sector. The project provides a high impact
and engaging experience
specifically for housing associations and addresses
the recommendations in the Race and Housing Inquiry
Challenge report. A specially scripted play - Zip up your Mouth - was written in response to the need for a practical training tool.
Zip up your Mouth has toured around the UK and has been experienced by over 4000 people involved in the Housing sector.
"Staff struggle with the ideas and concepts of diversity and equality.
This creative approach makes real their fears and enables them to see how
they can tackle the issues they face. We want all staff to experience this
depth of understanding."Davinia Boakye, Group Director of Corporate Services, East Thames Housing Group
Making the most of change – Housing Corporation Mentoring Conference
To energise their 4th annual conference The Housing Corporation wanted an interactive session that would engage and stimulate people in to thinking positively about change within the organization, particular in the area of mentoring. After interviewing a number of stakeholders, Ali Adolph scripted a piece titled ‘In Your Shoes’. This topical play looked at the pressures and responsibilities of the mentor and mentee. It was purposely written to open up discussion about what was working and not working in the relationships presented. The audience was also left enquiring in to the question, what’s possible? A facilitated session of the theatrical technique ‘hotseating’ was used after the play to draw out these questions, which allowed everyone to be present to the debate.
Traveller Life - West
Kent Housing
As a complex subject, sensitive in nature, how to integrate
Travellers into the community was a challenge facing West Kent Housing. We
developed a specially scripted play that looked at dealing with stereotypes
and raised awareness about gypsy and Traveller life within the community... "We know there are many people from Romany or Gypsy backgrounds who have settled in the area. Through these fun and interactive workshops we aim to benefit the community as a whole by encouraging better understanding of Gypsy and Traveller culture."
Sarah Whitelaw, Head of Housing, West Kent
Anti - Social Behaviour - Hyde Housing Association
Hyde
Housing is one of the largest housing association
groups in the South East. They own or manage over
30,000 homes in London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and
Hampshire. After research and consultation a play 'The Other Side' was developed by The Garnett Foundation
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Voluntary Sector
Valuing and Managing Diversity
A series of forum theatre events were developed
to provide managers from across The Guide Dogs
for the Blind Association with an introduction
to diversity awareness. "An unusual way of getting across an important issue in a fun and thought provoking manner, top class event which I really got a lot from."
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association delegate.
"Fantastic way of dealing with a complex subject, very well presented."
Ron Howgill, HR Director, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Embracing Difference
The Garnett Foundation have been commissioned to
develop and deliver high impact training events
using creative techniques to celebrate and promote
diversity and value difference within the The British
Red Cross. "Your training has been much talked about at The British Red Cross. After the stimulating and productive sessions we've had centrally, area teams are now trying to find resources to book The Garnett Foundation to deliver training locally."
Fiona Adamson, Diversity Project Manager
Diversity Works - Remploy
A series of events were designed for Remploy staff and delivered throughout the country last year. Traditional style classroom sessions were held to address the legal aspects of equality and diversity and forum theatre workshops were ran to transform hearts and minds. An electronic voting system was used to manage a comprehensively devised quiz, making sure the organisations policies and procedures were conveyed in a fun, interactive way.The Garnett Foundation course designer worked closely with Remploy and its in house business to business division, ‘Interwork’ to ensure the programme reflected the realities of the organisation. A comprehensive evaluation report was produced on completion and some of the following comments made participants indicate the tremendous results.
‘Very valuable training - would highly recommend to colleagues.’
Remploy delegate
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The Garnett Foundation Seymour House, 60 High Street, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1EP Tel: 01494 794264 Fax: 01494 773059 Email: info@thegarnettfoundation.com |