Training

Training

The Support Collective at Project Art Works offers a broad range of training and events in collaboration with trusted contacts and partners. Thanks to our funders we can offer these learning opportunities free of charge to caregivers and personal assistants (employed via a personal budget). All training is bookable via eventbrite.

New Training offers in 2025

Working with & supporting PDA young people & adults
Delivered by the PDA Society
Date: Thursday 30 January, 9.30-13.00
3.5 hrs
20 learners
Book your place at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/1109127122079

This course aims to expand the knowledge of those who work with and support PDA young people and adults. Specifically, it aims to:
• increase participants’ understanding of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) which is a less well-known profile on the autism spectrum that requires very different support to other autism profiles.
• help develop a tailored, flexible framework of helpful approaches for working with and supporting PDA Young people & Adults.
This course is suitable for professionals in social care and/or respite provisions, who work with and support PDA young people and adults. This course is also suitable for parents & carers of PDA young people and/or adults.

Understanding Autistic women and girls
Delivered by: National Autistic Society
Date: Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 February, 9.30-13.00 each day
15 Learners
Book your place at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/1110088507609

Training delivered over x 2 half days. Both dates need to be attended.

The course highlights some of the potential differences in autistic women and girls, including the reasons why these differences are often missed, the key areas of difference, potential characteristics and common experiences. The emphasis is on providing a range of autistic perspectives to enhance understanding and support good practice.

Makaton level 2
Delivered by: Hastings & Bexhill Mencap
Dates: Monday 17 & Monday 24 February, 9.30 – 13.00 both days
Training delivered over x 2 half days. Both dates need to be attended.
Makaton level 1 needs to have been previously completed.
12 learners
Book your place at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/1109115276649

Makaton level 3
Delivered by: Hastings & Bexhill Mencap
Dates: Monday 17 & Monday 24 March , 9.30 – 13.00 both days
Training delivered over x 2 half days. Both dates need to be attended.
Makaton level 2 needs to have been previously completed.
12 learners
Book your place at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/1109121505279

Communication and Behaviour
Delivered by Speaking Space
Online, 3 hrs
Date: 2025
BOOKING INFORMATION COMING SOON.

This course will explore the link between communication and behaviours that challenge. You will explore causes of behaviours that challenge, models and strategies to support a person’s communication. Through the use of a case study, you will explore ways to reduce the need for behaviours that challenge by supporting a person’s communication needs. This is a practical course with the aim that you will leave with some practical suggestions and solutions.

To keep up to date with our training programme subscribe to the newsletter and tick ‘Support Collective’. 

Ongoing

• Independent Lives provides a wide range of funded training aimed at support personal assistants and Direct Payment employers. Find out more here
• Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and Sussex. Find out more here. They offer free workshops for parent carers of children and young people with SEND book here
• Renaissance Legal specialise in working with families and carers of disabled and vulnerable individuals, helping them plan effectively for the future with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and Inheritance Tax Planning. They deliver a range of informative legal webinars.  Find out more here
• Future Learn offer a range of Autism courses and awareness training as part of their psychology and mental health training offer. Find out more here

Lead image by Marion Willis