ACE Aware Training Courses

Huge thank you to Dorothy for her aces training. As a new principal teacher of health and wellbeing this training will be invaluable in the role. Thanks!

‘The ACE’s training was an eye-opening experience, I learnt about both the young people I work with but also myself on a deeper level, knowing how childhood trauma can shape someone’s life.’

Dorothy was approached by myself at Glasgow East Women’s Aid as I was looking for a group for mums, something that would have a powerful and positive impact upon their lives bringing them closer together in understanding the way in which ACES play out in our lives and how we can overcome, learn to live with and provide a better upbringing for our own children. ACES can be a very emotionally triggering subject and more so with a client group who have been affected by domestic abuse. Dorothy was able to tailor the contents of the subject to this client group ensuring that no mum left the group feeling they were to blame for their child’s behaviour and also alleviated any harboured guilt. The programme provided by Dorothy was compassionately led, informative, interesting and enjoyable. Dorothy brought a lot of different tools which were pitched at the right level making them understandable and fun, quite often through session laughter was heard. This created a sense of safety and belonging, resulting in the instillation of hope. Those who attended were very grateful for her ability to provide a detailed input on a difficult subject tactfully and with such great empathy. I would highly recommend Dorothy, and this ACES group format to anyone involved in women’s services and particularly in regard to domestic abuse. This group has left a lasting positive impact upon the women who attended. They no longer feel that they are alone and have a much clearer understanding of their own emotions and that of their children allowing for growth and stability for the future.

“Upon attending Scotland’s first ever ACE Aware Nation Conference, it became apparent that many challenges children and families face are at times out with their control. Sport and Physical activity can play a key role in supporting someone who faces the challenges of Adverse Childhood Experiences, and as a frontline deliverer, it was vital the Active Schools and Sports Development team within South Lanarkshire became aware of these challenges to gain an insight into behaviours. The two-day course provided an insight into the challenges people face, how these are developed within the brain and can, without help, stay with the child for the rest of their lives. Adverse Childhood Experiences manifest and explode in many different forms. Examples and information provided throughout the two days, gave us the foundation to change our practices and feel empowered to gather more intel on the children, young people and adults we work with. We as a team now have more compassion than ever and will change our practices within the delivery of sport and physical activity to children and young people. It has also given us a new outlook on how we support and mentor our team of volunteers and coaches. Although we as an Active Schools and Sports Development team are trained, we now need to work with our team of coaches, volunteers and clubs to share our knowledge and offer further training to support Scotland’s priority of becoming an ACE aware Nation”.

This workshop provided knowledge and understanding of why people act in certain ways. It's not because they are bad. It's an holistic view of background - past and present situation.

I feel if teachers, coaches, role models of every kind had the chance to attend this training it would leave a real impact on society as a whole and affect children's lives for the better! Thank you.

Very experienced trainer who was able to work through some challenging situations in a supportive learning environment. Would highly recommend Dorothy! K McNiven

The topic was 'Building Resilience’ which gave delegates a brief introduction to effective Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques and ways of thinking, designed to enhance personal approaches for adapting state of mind, improving the control of anxiety, building confidence in coping with day-to-day working life. Dorothy has a very warm, engaging and competent style. As well as demonstrating her knowledge and understanding of useful concepts, Dorothy also brings her personality into her delivery, through the sharing of anecdotes and personal experiences which resonate well with the audience.