SAGE & THYME: Communication skills for listening to worried people

Do you feel confident talking to people who are upset, worried or distressed?

Whether you’re supporting patients, carers, customers, colleagues or anyone else needing emotional support, our virtual SAGE & THYME communications skills training can help you notice signs of distress, listen actively and respond helpfully.

SAGE & THYME gives you a simple, structured approach to guide conversations, helping you listen carefully, give someone space to make sense of their situation, and talk through a way forward without needing to “fix” their worries.

This evidence-based, nationally regarded training is delivered by our expert Sue Ryder International Learning Academy team, giving you practical skills that apply to a range of workplaces and scenarios – from comforting an overwhelmed patient, talking to a customer who has been bereaved, or supporting anxious colleagues.

And with our interactive virtual format, it's easier to fit learning around busy schedules, while allowing you to ask questions and discuss experiences in real-time.

We offer two version of this course, tailored to the setting you work in and the people you're supporting:

• Our healthcare sessions are open to anyone who works within a health or social care setting, including both clinical and non-clinical roles – such as nurses, housekeeping staff, porters, reception teams and volunteers.

• Our open sessions are suitable for anyone who works outside of health and social care, such as other those in other workplaces who are seeking to better support worried customers, clients or improve workplace mental health support, as well as those who wish to apply the learning in a more personal capacity.

Alongside individual places on workshops, we can also work with service managers, learning and development leads and HR teams to deliver sessions for teams or organisations. If interested, please complete our enquiry form.

By the end of the workshop, you'll:

• gain evidence-based communication and listening skills.
• learn a memorable, structured approach for facilitating supportive conversations with anyone who is worried or distressed.
• be able to recognise someone’s needs and provide general psychological support.
• be able to empower someone who is worried, upset or distressed – helping them feel listened to, more in control, and able to think more clearly.