In this issue of Healthcare Matters, we are pleased to feature EF training as our Training Company of the Year.
We spoke to Jayne Ellis, CEO/Founder, about how the last 12 months have been for the company, “I think that the last 12 months have been challenging for us. The NHS is our main customer and it’s not in a good place at the moment in terms of the politics surrounding it, and the knock-on effect is that there is a lot of uncertainty. Ironically, at a time when it is facing record sickness and issues with recruitment, it is not prioritising the wellbeing of its staff. This means that it has pulled funding for a lot of initiatives, including training, in favour of trying to meet targets.”
“Likewise, the social care sector is under huge strain and so it also is not in a position to be proactive, only firefighting. This leads to a lack of investment in training, especially training like ours, which is aimed at preventing issues.”
“That being said, we’ve also had some incredibly positive and rewarding achievements. It’s been encouraging to work with a wider range of clients who are investing in their people and recognising the long-term value of supporting staff wellbeing. We’ve continued to evolve our training and strengthen our team, so we can continue to provide support and guidance.”
“We’re pleased with our overall performance and the continued growth in demand for our services. We’re very encouraged by the increasing number of organisations seeking proactive solutions to improve wellbeing, resilience and staff retention. That growing demand gives us confidence as we continue to expand.”
“We have also ventured into new opportunities to reach further afield, such as networking events, creating our podcast and attending shows and events to increase our audience base and ultimately increase our potential for sales.”
EF training offers a range of courses focused on emotional resilience, workplace wellbeing and managing the effects of stress and compassion fatigue. Its training helps individuals and organisations recognise emotional pressures, develop practical coping strategies and build sustainable resilience. Key courses include Recognising and Responding to Compassion Fatigue, Reflecting on Compassion Fatigue, Redefining Resilience and Communicating with Compassion. The company also provides specialist short courses covering mindfulness in the workplace, menopause awareness and support, the mind-body connection, and the relationship between gut health and mental wellbeing. Courses are available for both individuals and organisations, with flexible delivery options including in-person, virtual and self-paced online learning.
“In the last year, we have continued to strengthen our use of measurable outcomes, helping clients understand the tangible impact our training has on areas such as absenteeism, staff retention and workplace morale. As mentioned previously, we have also launched our wonderful new podcast, I’m Fine! – The Truth Behind the Smile, which has been a great success and continues to grow and spread awareness,” says Jayne.
One of EF training’s key programmes is its Compassion Fatigue courses, which have been developed over several years using experience and participant feedback. Jayne highlights it as one of the organisation’s most impactful courses, with benefits extending beyond individual participants to the organisations they work for.
“The course we have developed and refined over the years, and which we know has the greatest impact, is our Recognising and Responding to Compassion Fatigue course and covers the impact of Compassion Fatigue. This course has been endorsed by the RCN and we know from the pre- and post-course monitoring of it that it has a profound impact on the vast majority of people who attend, in the short and longer term.”
“It also has a big impact on the organisations in terms of dropping sickness, helping retention, and also encouraging staff to access existing staff wellbeing initiatives. We used the feedback from this course to develop not only a follow-on course but also short courses that discuss specific topics associated with wellbeing and resilience. We are very proud of this course and the difference it has made to the participants.”
“It’s also worth mentioning that we work with any organisation regardless of industry sector and have training available for individuals if they are unable to access our training through their organisation.”
A key point of difference for EF training is its combination of practical, evidence-based training with lived experience. Courses are delivered by people who understand the impact of stress and vicarious trauma and who can draw on both scientific knowledge and personal experience. This helps ensure that the training remains relevant to the real challenges faced by employees and organisations.
The company also places a strong emphasis on measuring the effectiveness of its training. Pre- and post-course questionnaires are used to monitor participants’ experiences and identify changes following the training, giving organisations a clearer understanding of the impact of the sessions. Courses are also tailored to the needs of individual organisations, helping ensure that the training is relevant and practical.
Following training, clients receive a comprehensive report containing questionnaire results, participant evaluations and suggestions for improvement. The report also includes recommendations based on participant feedback, providing organisations with practical steps they can take to continue supporting their teams.
Support does not end when the training session finishes. EF training provides ongoing resources through its support hub, webinars and quarterly newsletters, allowing participants and organisations to continue accessing guidance and information. This combination of tailored training, measurable outcomes, detailed reporting and continued support is a key part of the company’s approach and helps it build longer-term relationships with clients.
Looking ahead, EF training’s plans focus on growth, diversification and expanding its reach within the Emotional Resilience and Compassion Fatigue sector. In the short term, the organisation aims to find new ways to re-engage with health and social care organisations and develop further ways to support them.
At the same time, EF training is taking the approach that has worked within the care sector into the wider corporate market, where it has already seen positive results. The organisation is also beginning collaboration work with other training providers, creating opportunities to share expertise, reach new audiences and develop its services further.
Longer term, EF training wants to build a strong and loyal customer base that provides a consistent flow of returning business. The company is also developing an app and membership forum for course participants, providing additional resources and support beyond the initial training.
Collaboration will remain an important part of this development, with EF training looking to work with other organisations to improve its products and provide a more comprehensive service. Ultimately, the company wants to continue leading the conversation around Emotional Resilience and Compassion Fatigue and become the go-to provider for training in these areas.
In closing, Jayne expresses her delight at EF training being selected for the award, “We are delighted to be selected for this award. We have worked hard for the sector and see it as an acknowledgement of all our hard work.”
“Supporting people’s emotional wellbeing has never been more important, and it’s wonderful to see that being recognised. It’s also a testament to our clients, who are committed to investing in their people and creating healthier workplaces.”
“I’d simply like to thank our clients, partners and our dedicated team for believing in our mission. Emotional Resilience isn’t about asking people to simply ‘cope better’ – it’s about giving people the knowledge, understanding and practical tools to protect their wellbeing while continuing to do important work.”
“We’re excited about what the future holds, and we look forward to helping even more organisations create workplaces where people can truly flourish and helping more individuals lead a happy and healthy life.”
The award represents an important milestone for EF training and recognises its continued commitment to Emotional Resilience, Compassion Fatigue and workplace wellbeing. More importantly, the organisation sees it as recognition of the clients, partners and team members who share its belief in investing in people’s wellbeing.
With plans to expand into new sectors, develop additional support services and collaborate with other organisations, EF training is focused on building on this momentum. Its ambition is clear: to help more organisations create healthier workplaces while giving individuals the knowledge and practical tools they need to protect their emotional wellbeing and flourish both personally and professionally.
For more information, please see below:
T +44 (0)20 4520 6001
info@eftraining.co.uk
www.eftraining.co.uk