Online Carers Skills Workshops

What are the benefits?

As a carer, there are many benefits to joining the workshops

  • Improved health and wellbeing
  • Fewer injuries relating to their caring role
  • Increased knowledge
  • Confidence boost
  • Access to education and work opportunities
  • A sense of achievement

We understand that it can sometimes be difficult for carers to attend workshops. You might find that studying online is easier to fit in around caring than a classroom based course.

We have a variety of online courses that are aimed at supporting/enhancing your role as a carer. Our workshop team are always pleased to hear from you if you have a specific request for workshops that would help you with your caring duties.

Young Woman using Tablet and Drinking Coffee

Real time online courses

We offer a wide range of virtual courses where you can meet up with other unpaid carers to discuss a variety of subjects, to help support you in your caring role. These online courses will take place on Zoom and are open to any carer 18+, who cares for an adult to attend.

To book your place on any of the courses below please email your name and date of birth with the course title and date you’d like to attend to: workshops@devoncarers.org.uk

NB: No place is booked until you have received an email from the training team confirming this.

If you need any assistance to help you to access Zoom we may be able to offer you IT Support, but this must be booked well in advance of the course. Please contact our Helpline to request this assistance 03456 434 435, email info@devoncarers.org.uk or click on the ‘Ask’ button in the right hand corner and chat online with our Helpline.

Please read our helpful tips and guidelines on using Zoom before attending any of our online sessions here.

Course Course info Day, date & time
Do you know what to do when your cared for passes away? Preparing ourselves for the death of those we care for is very difficult, but by taking on the practical advice and strategies in this course can help you to be more confident when the time comes.

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Look at what you need to do when someone dies
  • How to find a Registry Office with practical ways to make registering the death easier
  • How to plan and arrange a funeral
  • Dealing with paperwork and other aspects to consider
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
Assertiveness Would you like to become more assertive in how you communicate with people?

This workshop will give you practical skills and tools to help you become more assertive.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Help you understand why we communicate the way we do
  • Eliminate resentment in your communication
  • Give you practical skills to speak out
  • Talk about how to deal with confrontational people
  • Help you to eliminate the need for others’ approval
  • Discuss how to take control of your life and your choices
  • Set boundaries without confrontation or guilt
 Day/Date:

Monday 4th December

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12.30pm
Combining single parenthood & being an unpaid carer Being a single parent and an unpaid carer can present its own unique set of challenges.

This live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Give you time to identify the personal challenges you face
  • Discuss strategies and hints and tips with other carers in the session, to look at how to manage and potentially improve the challenges you face
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
First aid Q&A Learning basic first aid is essential for every day caring roles to give you the confidence to act in a practical and safe way, should a medical emergency arise.

This live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Offer a Q&A session for first aid related questions
  • Guide you in what to do when approaching the scene of an emergency/first aid situation and decision making to manage the situation effectively
 Day/Date:

Tuesday 13th February

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12pm

Online Zoom Session
Juggling paid work & being an unpaid carer Are you an unpaid carer, who also has a paid job? Or an unpaid carer who sees yourself wanting or having to work in the future, and currently are unable to see past the problems you foresee? This situation can present itself with a unique set of challenges and issues.

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

– Identify the issues and difficulties you are facing as a working person / or someone who wants to work whilst also competing with a caring role

– Look at solutions and strategies with other carers that might help you to resolve the challenges you face

– Explore options for those who are considering working in the future; in relation to increasing employability skills

 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
How to cope as a carer Would you like to learn some hints, tips and strategies on how to cope as a carer?

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

Part 1

  • Look at self-care covering eating, exercise, sleep, alcohol and smoking
  • Give advice on being organised, rewarding yourself, taking time for yourself (and why not to feel guilty about it)
  • Talk about getting the best out of the NHS and other sources of practical help

Part 2

  • Chat about coping mentally and emotionally
  • Discuss feelings of guilt, resentment, anger, negativity, loneliness, loss (of the person they were before and the future you thought you were going to have).
  • Talk about accepting help and advice on managing unhelpful suggestions (not just saying I am fine)
 Day/Date:

Monday 26th February

(Part 1)

Time from/to:

10.30am to 11.30am

Day/Date:

Monday 4th March

(Part 2)

Time from/to:

10.30am to 11.30am
How to identify a financial scam We are currently seeing an increase in scams over the phone, online and face-to-face, which means we and the people we care for are becoming even more vulnerable to financial abuse.

We are joined by a representative from Natwest for this live, real-time online Zoom session and will:

  • Make you aware of the different types of scams we are currently facing
  • Help to prevent you being scammed and discuss ways to protect you, your family and friends
  • Guide you in how to protect your money
  • Answer any questions around the subject of scamming
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
Living alongside anxiety disorders There are a wide range of anxiety symptoms and people can exhibit a range of different behaviours at different times, which can make it hard to understand. This two-part workshop offers an opportunity to explore anxiety disorders openly and safely, in a small group. We will look at ways we can help and care for someone, and importantly, take time to explore and ways we can take care of ourselves.

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

Part 1 – Understanding anxiety disorders: 

  • Give you an overview of different anxiety disorders, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Discuss the link between trauma and anxiety disorders
  • Look at experiences and perspectives of a person with an anxiety disorder

Part 2 – Responding to anxiety disorders: 

  •  Give you supportive ways of responding to and caring for a person who has an anxiety disorder
  • Discuss how to help when someone doesn’t want to be helped
  • Chat about looking after ourselves as carers (self-care tips and techniques)
  • Identify further help, support and resources
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

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Day/Date:

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Time from/to:

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Living alongside self-harm (understanding self-harm)
Part 1		 Caring for someone who has a self-harming behaviour can be distressing for both you and the person you care for. It can take many forms including: self-injury (cutting, overdosing, etc), eating disorders, risk taking behaviour, drug and alcohol misuse.

It can be stressful to live alongside, hard to understand and difficult to know how to help.

In these live, online Zoom sessions we will:

Part 1:

  • Look at possible causes of self-harming behaviour
  • Discuss the spectrum of self-harming behaviour and its link to mental health
  • Chat about the experiences and perspectives of a person who is self-harming
  • Talk about the impact of attitudes to self-harm, and the stigma surrounding it
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
Living alongside self-harm (responding to self-harm) Part 2 Part 2:

  • Suggest supportive ways of responding to and caring for a person who is self-harming
  • Chat about how to help when someone does not want to be helped
  • Discuss looking after ourselves as carers (self-care ideas and techniques)
  • Identify further help, support and resources
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
Looking after you; looking after your relationship Are you getting your relationship 5-a-day?

This two-part workshop will explore the changing nature of carers’ relationships; with the cared for, family and friends.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Look at relationships over time – an ever changing situation
  • Discuss communication vs connection – mistakes people make
  • Chat about your family history and how you relate
  • Manage conflict, crisis, and change
  • Discuss forgiveness with family and friends
  • Look at loneliness within a relationship
  • Plan for an uncertain future and going forward

This workshop will be informative and fun, with no requirement to share personal stories, in a safe and supportive environment.

 Part 1

Day/Date:

Tuesday 30th April

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12.30pm

 

Part 2

Day/Date:

Tuesday 14th May

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12.30pm

 
Looking at the challenges of caring for someone with a chronic illness or hidden disability Do you find that your caring role, goes unrecognised by the majority of people as you look after someone with a chronic illness or hidden disability?

In this live, real time Zoom session we will look at:

  • Look at the problems that arise from people not realising how difficult your caring role can be
  • Look at strategies and solutions with other carers in the group, that might be of benefit to help resolve the difficulties within your caring role
 Day/Date:

Tuesday 12th March

Time from/to:

10am to 12pm
Managing challenging behaviour for carers dealing with mood disorders For many carers dealing with the mental and emotional changes in their cared for can be the most challenging aspect of their caring.

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will give you the opportunity:

  • to meet with others experiencing similar issues,
  • discuss ways of coping
  • look at how your own wellbeing can be supported or improved.
 Day/Date:

Thursday 29th February

from/to:

2pm to 4pm

Online Zoom Session
Managing stress Caring can be rewarding but also stressful at the same time. We will look at stress, its causes, symptoms and a variety of ways of limiting its effect. We will use a variety of techniques to find methods that work for you.

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Discuss the awareness of stress, its symptoms and how it affects us
  • Develop an understanding of mindfulness and resilience
  • Equip you with coping strategies to help you manage stress
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

Wednesday 20th March

from/to:

2pm to 4pm

 
Unpaid carers and the menopause Caring for others can be stressful but with the added mental and physical pressures of the menopause, it can make coping even more challenging.

In this live, real-time Zoom or face-to-face session we will:

  • Allow you to talk about the issues that you face with the menopause
  • Discuss strategies to cope with the identified issues and how this will enable you to cope with your caring role
 Day/Date:

Thursday 4th April

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12.30pm

Online Zoom Session
Relaxation in nature, with mindfulness practices Would you like to enjoy the beauty of nature whilst learning relaxation and mindfulness techniques?

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Include a guided meditation
  • Give you strategies to help you let go of your worries and find peace and joy in the moment
  • Offer you time to reflect and share your experience with others
 Day/Date:

Monday 19th February

Time from/to:

1.30pm to 3.30pm

Online Zoom Session

 
Self-care for carers Caring for someone can be very difficult at times, and it is important to practice self-care.

In this live, real-time Zoom or face-to-face session we will:

  • Discuss what is self-care?
  • Highlight that you need to be able to look after yourself, to the best of your ability, both physically and emotionally
  • Look at how this workshop can help you to care for your cared for person
  • Help you to gain a better understanding by learning coping strategies and managing stress levels
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC

 
Sleep workshop Do you have trouble sleeping? This workshop will enable you to look at improving the quality of your sleep patterns and to chat through related issues with other carers.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Allow an informal discussion to identify sleep problems
  • Find solutions that carers need to get a good night’s sleep
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

Wednesday 13th March

Time from/to:

10am to 12pm

 
Thoughts, feelings and challenges Have you ever given yourself the time to sit and think about your thoughts and feelings on being a carer?

In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Give you space to talk about your thoughts and feelings on being a carer
  • Allow you to explore the challenges you face and look at strategies to help you manage those challenges
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

Wednesday 21st February

Time from/to:

10am to 12pm

Day/Date:

Thursday 11th April

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12.30pm
When caring changes to supporting someone in residential care Your caring duties do not stop once the person you have been caring for goes into residential care. Once this happens as an unpaid carer, you face a new set of unique challenges.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Look at the different circumstances you now face as a carer
  • Assure you that you are still an unpaid carer and look at the support you can get from Devon Carers
  • Look at hints and tips with other carers within the group, as how to manage your life from a new different perspective
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC 
Caring at a distance You do not have to live with someone to be an unpaid carer! You might support a neighbour, regularly take someone shopping, or live in another county and phone them every day, if this enables a person to continue living independently, you are an unpaid carer.

In this live, real time Zoom session we will:

  • Talk about the services available from Devon Carers
  • Discuss the problems you might face whilst providing support
  • Look at the solutions to help you continue caring

Discuss what to do when the support you give is no longer enough.

 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC
Course Course info Day, date & time
Looking at the challenges of caring for your parent who has dementia Are you an unpaid carer of a parent that has dementia and are you experiencing particular difficulties and problems?

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Give you time to identify the issues you are personally facing as a carer of a parent with dementia
  • Allow time to come up with strategies and solutions with other carers in the group; that might be of benefit to help resolve the difficulties within your caring role
 Day/date:

Wednesday 24th of January

Time from/to:

2pm to 4pm

Online Zoom Session
Dementia and effective communication Caring for people with dementia can be difficult as we see them struggle with everyday tasks. But to communicate with the person you care for more effectively, we need to improve our own interpersonal skills. In this live, real-time Zoom session we will:

  • Look at five different types of dementia
  • Discuss problems with communication and how to avoid miscommunication issues
  • Chat about problems experienced by asking questions
 Day/date:

Friday 3rd May
Time from/to:

10.30am to 12pm

Online Zoom Session
Dementia and the environment People living with dementia can be affected by environmental factors.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Look at the environmental factors that affect people with dementia
  • Discuss problems with depth perspective e.g. why a person can’t see the food on their plate/patterned carpets
  • Talk about stored and working memory
  • Discuss the importance of routine and sleep
 Day/Date:

Monday 13th May

Time from/to:

10.30am to 11.30am
Dementia and food If you care for someone with dementia food and eating can sometimes be an ‘issue’.

In this live, real time Zoom session we will:

  • Discuss and learn why people with dementia can have issues around eating
  • Look at strategies to try and make eating easier and healthier
 Day/Date:

Monday 22nd April

Time from/to:

10.30am to 11.30am
Dementia and sleep Does the person you care for have trouble sleeping?

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Discuss the importance of sleep and what happens to sleep patterns for someone with dementia
  • Look at how sleep varies when we age
  • Chat about which food and drink can affect our sleep
  • Offer strategies to help improve sleep patterns
 Day/Date:

Monday 5th February

Time from/to:

10:30am to 12pm
Dementia – when the bathroom becomes a battlefield If you care for someone with dementia, personal care can become a challenge.

In this live, online Zoom session we will:

  • Look at the environment factors
  • Chat about which clothes are easier to get dressed in
  • Discuss pain and discomfort the person with dementia may feel
  • Talk about the importance of language and routine
  • Look at easier ways to clean teeth and shave
  • Talk about Agnosia – not recognising faces
  • Discuss why people with dementia maybe fearful
 Online Zoom Session

Day/Date:

Friday 22nd March

Time from/to:

10.30am to 12pm

 
Different types of dementia Caring for someone with dementia can be worrying but understanding the different types of dementia and how it can affect the people we care for, can be extremely helpful.

In this Zoom session we will:

  • Look at the different types of dementia
  • Discuss causes and risk factors for those living with dementia
  • Consider what dementia is, it’s not just an issue of poor memory
  • Chat about physical and cognitive problems and how they can affect people with dementia
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC

Free online courses

Have a look at the these free online courses for carers provided by other organisations.

The Open University

Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to access. They offer nearly 1000 FREE courses across 8 different subject areas.
The courses are available to start right away and can be completed at any time.

Understanding Autism

Across the 8 weeks of Understanding Autism, you will engage with key topics including how autism affects children, adults and families, how the condition was first identified and how ideas and understanding have evolved in the decades since. You will consider current ideas about what causes autism, the challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families, and what forms of help and support are available. You will learn that no two cases of autism are completely alike, giving rise to the concept of an autism spectrum.
Read More

Future Learn

All Future Learn courses are free to use once – there is the option to pay for extra benefits such as access to this course for as long as it’s on Future Learn and a print and digital Certificate of Achievement on completion.

Understanding Autism

First identified over 70 years ago, autism is a lifelong developmental disability affecting how a person communicates with and relates to others, and how they make sense of the world. It is a spectrum condition; all people on the spectrum share certain difficulties, but their condition affects them in different ways.
Read More

Free Courses in England

is a directory of the courses that are available to anyone to undertake FREE of charge in order to help people succeed in whatever role they are in.

Understanding Autism

This course is suitable for anyone who wishes to develop their understanding of autism and the principles of supporting individuals to live healthy and fulfilled lives. The course will benefit anyone working, or looking to work, with individuals who have an autistic spectrum condition.
Read More

Carers UK have brought together helpful information to help support you in your caring role in their Digital Resources section on their website. These resources and online courses, will help support your own physical, emotional health and wellbeing alongside managing your caring responsibilities. It also includes information about supporting the health and wellbeing of the person you look after.To access these courses go to https://carersdigital.org and create an account, when prompted use the free access code provided by Devon County Council: DGTL8827

E-learning courses include

About me: building resilience for caring

A joint course designed in conjunction with Nutricia which aims to help carers understand the role of nutrition both for themselves as well as the person they are looking after.

The role of good nutrition when caring for someone

This course aims to help you identify resources, technologies and sources of support in order to prevent your caring responsibilities from becoming overwhelming. Interactive learning materials describe the symptoms of – and suggest strategies for coping with – stress, including tips for staying healthy and managing time effectively.

Young adult carers e-learning

This course offers information and advice for young carers aged 18-24 years. The course aims to help young carers identify support available, identify ways of working alongside caring, explain continuing education and training options, explain how to get financial support and support on staying healthy.

Course Course info Day, date & time
Spotlight on the brain and dementia
 This session is an introduction to the main types of dementia, the initial symptoms and how these affect the brain.The course is for you if you would like to…

  • Learn about the different types of dementia and how they can affect the brain.
  • Spend time with experienced healthcare professionals who will answer your questions in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Meet other people who are taking care of a friend or family member with dementia in a similar situation.
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC 

Book Course
Spotlight on understanding why dementia is different for everybody
 An introduction to the multiple factors which affect a person’s experience of dementia or the role of being a carer which includes neurology, physical health, biography, personality, and the social environment in which we live.

The course is for you if you would like to …

  • Gain a better understanding of your friend or family member.
  • Learn about the different factors which can contribute to a persons experience of having dementia.
  • Understand why no two people with dementia have the same experience.
  • Spend time with experienced healthcare professionals who will answer your questions in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Meet other people who are taking care of a friend or family member with dementia in a similar situation.
 Day/Date:

TBC

Time from/to:

TBC 

Book Course

Dementia Adventure

Offering free Dementia Skills Sessions that are designed to help you think differently about dementia and give you practical guidance to help you in your supportive role.
You can safely connect with qualified dementia trainers and other dementia carers, learn more about dementia and receive practical tips.
Courses are via Zoom and are FREE to attend but booking is essential. Details of how to book are on website.

Future Learn

All Future Learn courses are free to use once – there is the option to pay for extra benefits such as access to this course for as long as it’s on Future Learn and a print and digital Certificate of Achievement on completion.
Current courses available at Future Learn:

The Many Faces of Dementia

Gain a unique insight into dementia through the stories, symptoms and science behind four less common diagnoses. This course covers four less common diagnoses of dementia the symptoms and science behind familial Alzheimer’s disease, behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and posterior cortical atrophy.

Read More

Dementia Care: Staying Connected and Living Well

An award-winning course, to help carers stay connected to loved ones, manage stress at home, and defuse difficult situations.

Read More

Foundations in Dementia

Discover better ways to support people with dementia. Explore signs and symptoms, interventions, support networks and more.

Read More

Dementia and the Arts

Explore, challenge and shape your perceptions of dementia through science and the creative arts.

Read More

End of Life Care for People Living with Dementia

Understand the needs of people with dementia, and how to better support them and enhance their wellbeing towards the end of life.

Read More

Dementia Care: Living Well as Dementia Progresses

Better understand effective dementia care and how dementia progresses and prepare for the future with this award-winning course.

Read More

Open University

is a directory of the courses that are available to anyone to undertake FREE of charge in order to help people succeed in whatever role they are in.
Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to access. They offer nearly 1000 FREE courses across 8 different subject areas.

The courses are available to start right away and be completed at any time.

What are the connections between music and memory?

Interactive quiz with film and information about what music means to us personally and how it can be used to trigger memories, emotions and communication between people with dementia and their families and carers.

Read more

Designing Space for Dementia Care

Family homes were not designed for people with dementia, so some adaptation is needed. Although featuring care homes, this course gives advice and some ideas that can be transferred to family homes. Carers may find it useful to read the advice, watch the first film (Elmhurst) and do the last activity of adapting a bedroom and bathroom.

Read more

5 reasons why exercising outdoors is great for people who have dementia

Explores why exercise, particularly outdoors is good for cognitive functioning, physical and emotional health and better sleep. A good piece to inspire carers to keep encouraging people with dementia to go outdoors.

Read more

MOOC – Massive Open Online Courses

MOOC stands for Massive Open online course. It is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the internet.
There are a number of places that provide MOOCs and there are countless topics you can learn about.

Read More

University of Tasmania

University of Tasmania have provided some Dementia focused MOOCs for people to learn. The courses are free and have unlimited spaces, but you do need to book your place. You do not need any prior level of knowledge, and we hope to provide useful information to people at a range of educational levels.

The courses vary throughout the year but the link will take you to what is currently available and you will be able to see what is upcoming.

Understanding Dementia

Participants in the free Understanding Dementia MOOC will gain an increased knowledge of dementia, including its causes, symptoms and ways of responding to the needs of people living with the condition. Course lasts 7 weeks, available from from 7th July 2020.

Ream More

Preventing Dementia

Participants in the free Preventing Dementia MOOC will learn about the risk factors for dementia from leading world experts. With the ageing of the world’s population, dementia is becoming the public health issue of the 21st century. Examine the evidence and reduce your risk. Course lasts 4 weeks, available from 4th October 2020.

Read More

SCIE – Social Care Institute for Excellence

Social Care Institute for Excellence provide information, guidance, resources and accredited training for anyone supporting people with dementia. It is a resource used by professionals in care homes and social care providers for staff and can provide information to help carers at home.
The course is free but you will need to register to download resources and access the e-learning.

Dementia Awareness

An e-Learning course which seeks to improve the wellbeing and experience of people with dementia and of the care staff working with them. It should improve your confidence in managing situations you find challenging.

Read More

The Northern Devon Healthcare Trust

The Northern Devon Healthcare Trust have developed a series of short videos on Vimeo to be used as training to support carers of people living with dementia. They are free and readily available to access any time.

Communicating with People with Dementia

Top tips on learning how to communicate with people living with Dementia.

Watch Video

Dementia and Carers: Caring for the Carer

Provides ideas for carers living with people with Dementia.

Watch Video

Being Ready for Unusual Behaviour

Introduction to Dementia: Being ready for unusual behaviour – advice and information to highlight the importance of awareness of unusual behaviours. Useful for carers of those who are living with a new diagnosis.

Watch Video

Caring and Dementia: Creating the right environment

Tips on how to create a supportive and accessible environment for people living with Dementia. Useful for carers of those who are living with a new diagnosis.

Watch Video

Using finger foods to prevent malnutrition for people with dementia

An overview of how Dementia can affect the way people approach food. Explores the benefits for the person living with Dementia eating finger foods.

Watch Video

How does Dementia affect eating?

A brief explanation of how Dementia can affect eating habits, and provides useful advice on how to encourage eating with someone with Dementia.

Watch Video

Caring and Dementia: Caring for the Individual

Explanation of how someone may experience Dementia. Gives tips on how to care well with someone with Dementia.

Watch Video

Communicating with people with Dementia – Using body language and physical contact

Gives insight to how there are different ways of communicating with people with Dementia. Makes people aware of non-verbal communication (such as tone of voice and body language) is just as important as the words used to communicate.

Watch Video

Future Learning

All Future Learn courses are free to use once – there is the option to pay for extra benefits such as access to this course for as long as it’s on Future Learn and a print and digital Certificate of Achievement on completion.

End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation

Explore dying and palliative care practice around the world and evaluate new trends and ideas surrounding end of life care issues.

Read More

Good Brain, Bad Brain: Parkinson’s Disease

Learn the fundamentals of Parkinson’s disease with this online course. What causes it and what we can do to treat it?

Read More

Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research

On this free online course, find out how medical treatments are discovered, tested and evaluated to improve healthcare for all.

Read More

Improving Palliative Care in Care Homes for Older People

Examine how care homes are organised in Europe and how palliative care in care homes can be improved for older people.

Read More

Nutrition and Wellbeing

Whether you work in nutrition or on a personal level, understanding healthy eating is hugely important. However, the information we receive around nutrition can often be complex and confusing.

With this online nutrition course, you’ll discover the scientific basis of a healthy diet, and explore current nutritional concepts and controversies. You’ll explore the concept of health and wellbeing, why we eat what we eat and the ‘drivers’ that influence our food choices.

Read More

Understanding Heart and Circulatory Diseases

Every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from heart and circulatory disease. Let’s beat heartbreak forever.

Read More

MS Society

Online fatigue management course

This online course is designed to help people with MS to find ways to manage their MS fatigue, however it can also be used to explain it to other people.

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Open University

Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to access. They offer nearly 1000 FREE courses across 8 different subject areas.

The courses are available to start right away and can be completed at any time.

Ageing and Disability: Transitions into Residential Care

The activities in the course focus on the lives of three people living in a nursing and residential home for elderly and disabled people. Although many of the practice examples relate to work with older people, the values and principles surrounding this work also apply to other service users who make transitions to and from care, for example, children being accommodated or people with learning disabilities.

Read More

St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance have created a YouTube channel with a range of online video to be used as training for families at home. You can view the videos as often as you need to and access is free.

It give details on what to do if: someone has a stroke, someone has a seizure, and if someone is having a diabetic emergency. Also covered is how to perform CPR, how to treat a severe allergic reaction, how to treat poisoning, how to treat a fracture and others.

The Mindful Life offer free tasters of their online Mindfulness For Carers sessions throughout the year.

The three week, 1 1/4 hour course has been designed to help you to:

– Make time for yourself

– Feel less run down and fatigued

– Work toward improving your sleep pattern and habits

– Improve your emotional well being and learn coping strategies

– Feel less isolated and more supported

– Strengthen your resilience and work toward maintaining a hopeful outlook

For more information visit: https://www.themindfullife.co.uk/ or info@themindfullife.co.uk

Accessing Evidence Based Psychological Therapies – AccEPT

Accessing Evidence Based Psychological Therapies – AccEPT based at Exeter University is a psychological therapies service for adults in Devon who have mood disorders such as depression.

They are now accepting self-referrals from within the Exeter, Mid Devon and East Devon regions. They also accept referrals from North Devon for their Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) group. Referrals are made via Depression and Anxiety Services, GPs and the local Mental Health Assessment Teams.

Due to the current pandemic they are currently running online groups for people in Devon with a focus on maintaining wellbeing during Covid 19 pandemic.

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Devon Learning Recovery Community

Providing online courses for people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, their family and friends, and the professionals who support them.

Their courses are for the benefit of people who wish to learn and to live well. You do not have to be using mental health services to access their courses.

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E-Learning For Healthcare

A free online resource to support the vital care that unpaid carers provide. The e-learning will help you take care of yourself and carry out your day to day caring role.

Their online courses are for anyone who provides care and support to a family member or friend due to their disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem or other health and care needs.

Bespoke bite-sized e-learning sessions for carers, developed with expert advice from Carers UK, with links to organisations offering more advice on topics relevant to that session.

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HOPE Course (Help overcoming problems effectively)

Do you want to enhance your resilience through these difficult times, rediscover strengths and increase your ability to cope?
Managing a long term illness (whether it be your physical or mental health) can be stressful, tiring and incredibly lonely at the best of times. If you’re currently self-isolating in Torbay and South Devon and trying to cope, let us introduce you to the 16 week Virtual Digital HOPE Programme (uses MS Teams).

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Lighthearts UK

This course provides free mental health resources & support by showing you how to keep on top of your stress, anxiety or depression.

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Social Care Institute for Excellence

Social Care Institute for Excellence provide helpful video-based resources designed to help people look after someone safely at home. This resource will help you care for people in any situation, although this resource may be particularly useful if you are supporting someone during the COVID-19 crisis.
Each section has a set of videos designed to give you and the person you care for practical and relevant information to support you day to day including: how to help manage certain conditions and provide support for the people you are caring for.
There is no set order you need to go through these topics, and some may not apply to your specific situation but you can learn at your own pace and choose whichever is relevant to you.

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Step One Charity

Step One Charity work with a diverse range of people who may have a mental health issue and/or a hidden disability such as an autism spectrum condition. As well as supporting individuals, their BeWell@StepOne project aims to support communities and businesses to understand and support their own, and other’s mental health and wellbeing through online and face-to-face learning opportunities and supportive groups.
They offer an online course which aims to help individuals to understand and support their own and other’s mental health and wellbeing. Small online groups cover topics including resilience, self-harm, OCD and Wellbeing for Carers.

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Virtual College

The Virtual College provides a range of training for anyone who wants to enrol. Some courses are FREE to enrol and some you will pay for.
For both free and paid for courses you will need to register to make an account.