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Training Courses and role-play providers

What Playout Do

Role-players:

We have provided many organisations with professional role –playing actors. We have a database of a large and diverse range of actors. We regularly provide actors to play simulated patients in health settings both for communications training and OSCEs. We have been providing Brighton and Sussex Medical school with actors since it began. All our actors are trained and experienced and can play a wide variety of roles in terms of character and emotion whilst having a keen eye on the learning objectives. They can learn briefs quickly and effectively, and readily re-run bits of the role-play. They are able to develop participant focused role-play briefs. They are sensitive to the anxiety that role-play can provoke and able to adjust the difficulty of a role-play to fit the confidence of the participant. Our actors are also familiar with various methods of feedback and provide quality, specific and constructive verbal and written feedback that both validates and sensitively challenges participant’s skills.

Below is a list of some of our established training courses. We are always happy to create new courses or tailor existing ones to your needs.

Difficult Encounters and Conflict Resolution for health professionals on-line

An interactive and entertaining 2-hour remote training course, which focuses on how to deal with challenging situations both on the phone and face-to-face and helps develop positive communication skills. Participants will watch and discuss recorded theatre sketches set in a GP setting and performed by professional actors as a foundation for analysing where the communication breaks down. Delegates are encouraged to think about the psychological state and behavior of themselves and others. Through watching these sketches and considering various communication models participants think about how to identify and prevent hostile situations and develop a positive and sensitive communication style. Delegates will develop an understanding of the difference between verbal, non-verbal and para-verbal communications, active listening skills, the use of empathy and a positive approach to diversity.

Difficult Encounters and Conflict Resolution for health professionals face-to-face

An interactive and entertaining half day face-to-face  training course specifically for health care professionals. The course covers the Conflict Resolution national syllabus as stipulated by the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service. It focuses on how to deal with challenging and potentially violent situations both on the phone and face to face.

Live theatre demonstrations of aggressive interactions in health care settings are performed by professional actors as a foundation for analysing human interaction. Delegates are encouraged to think about the psychological state and behavior of themselves and the service users. Through watching these sketches and considering various communication models participants think about how to identify and prevent potentially hostile situations and develop an awareness of warning signs, de-escalation techniques and risk assessment.

Delegates build on these communication skills by group work and through redirecting one of the scenes to create a positive outcome. They look at the difference between verbal and non- verbal communications, active listening skills, the use of empathy and a positive approach to diversity.

'Smile before you dial' for receptionists

‘Smile before you dial’  is a practical fun workshop for staff who work in health settings. It is delivered by a professional actor voice tutor. The course helps staff think about the importance of a clear, resonant, friendly and empathic voice both on the phone and face-to-face. Participants will consider the impact of vocal tone and how to smile before you dial and smile with your voice even at the end of a stressed and busy day.

During the course the participants practice techniques to develop the quality and look after their voice. These techniques include exercises in breathing, relaxation, resonating, articulation and projection. They also practice the first few lines when answering the phone and greeting someone at a reception desk.

Creative Presentations

A challenging and exciting one day course designed to provide an increased understanding of the skills and techniques required to deliver dynamic presentations. The course provides  an opportunity for participants to practice and review their presentation skills and techniques and receive constructive feedback. Delegates will be encouraged to develop a creative approach to creating a presentation and consider how best to engage an audience. They will also consider the impact of non-verbal and verbal communication and participate in a vocal workshop in which they will practice breathing, resonating, articulation and projection exercises. They will also consider how best to  use visual aids, manage nerves and answer questions.

The Vibrant Voice

A half day workshop presented by one of our professional actor voice tutors. The course aims to help participants develop a rich, clear, projected and colourful voice. It helps participants consider the importance of lively expressive communication whilst also considering the importance of protecting the voice. The course will include exercises in relaxation, breathing, resonating, articulation and projection and provides participants with a vocal workout that can be continued after the course is over.

Dramatic Team Building

Dramatic Team Building is a half-day course that uses theatre exercises and script reading to develop good group dynamics and team spirit. During the course delegates will participate in a fun drama workshop and physical and vocal exercises that develop trust, sensitivity and group awareness. Participants will read scripts demonstrating an unproductive and negative team and use this as an impetus to discuss what creates successful and creative teams.By the end of the course participants should have had a positive and  enjoyable time together, developed a better awareness of themselves and each other and have a good understanding of how best to work as a team.

Creative Training (A Train the Trainers Course)

A half day train the trainers course with a difference. Creative training looks at personal delivery techniques and explores how to open a session, lead a group and bring energy and fun to a training day. It also explores how to be imaginative when creating a training session and how to use drama skills such as forum theatre, role-play and script reading exercises as training tools.

Facilitating With Ease

A half day workshop in which participants practice facilitating meetings and events and receive constructive feedback on their skills. The workshop focuses on how to positively and confidently lead a group and how to develop an engaging and empathic personal style. It will also consider how to manage difficult situations, groups and individuals.  

The Art Of Appraisal

A half day course that provides delegates with an opportunity to develop communication skills in relation to performing appraisals. The Art of Appraisal uses live theatre performed by professional actors to demonstrate what can go wrong with an appraisal. These sketches show how communications can breakdown and are used to help delegates think about the purpose of appraisals and how to develop a productive and sensitive style. Participants also have the opportunity to practice their skills on a simulated appraisee played by an actor and receive individual constructive feedback.

Course Costs

Course costs vary according to your specific needs, location and course duration. Most courses are suitable for between ten and forty people. We provide course materials and certificates as required. Contact Becky for specific prices - email becky@playout.co.uk