I had planned today on blogging about what it’s like to attend a FirstSigns meet-up, but that will have to wait until tomorrow now as I’m too excited about my first training session!

For some time now, Wedge and I have been working on our training package, and he’s been tutoring me on how to deliver our training. It’s something I’ve been keen to do for some time, as the real life work we do as an organisation is very important to me, and it’s great to be out and about meeting people. I’ve accompanied Wedge on several occasions to both training sessions and conferences, which made it easier as I’ve been slowly learning all this time. But it also meant I knew I had a great deal of work to do if I was going to be anywhere near as good as Wedge!

Over the last few weeks Wedge has spent a great deal of his time with me, listening to my developing presentation, and guiding me. I don’t mind admitting that I was pretty awful to begin with, but Wedge’s patience and confidence in me never ceased, and eventually I was ready to face the world; well, Hampshire!

Last night I delivered my first training session to around 40 members of Hampshire Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Being an evening session, I had the whole day to worry about it, and by the time I set off for Southampton I was terrified. But Wedge, despite being out of the country, was on the end of the phone for me, and as I pulled into Southampton station I was beginning to calm down, and part of me was even looking forward to it. I mean, this is what it’s all about – raising awareness about self-injury and sharing FirstSigns’ seven years experience.

The venue was lovely, and as the audience began taking their seats many of them smiled warmly at me. That really helped me to relax, and as I started to speak the passion I feel for the subject and for FirstSigns overtook all my fears. When it was time for a break, everyone clapped as I made a hasty exit to find a smoking area!

I finished my presentation a little early, but I just laughed and said I hoped there were going to be lots of questions to fill the time, and I wasn’t disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed answering the questions and interacting with people, and of course I was delighted with all the lovely comments and praise, not only about me, but about FirstSigns, Wedge, our website, and the handouts I’d provided. In the end, the organisers had to bring the evening to a close as we’d run out of time, but still people were coming up to me and congratulating me, handing me their cards, and asking more questions about self-injury and FirstSigns.

I think the biggest compliment of all came from the committee member who’d actually booked us after hearing Wedge speak at a conference last year. He told me that wherever he goes he always mentions that Wedge is the best speaker / presenter he’s ever seen, and now he’s going to add me as well! I couldn’t have done this without Wedge; to be the best, you need to be trained by the best, and I certainly have been :)

I’d like to thank the lovely members of HACP for their warmth and kindness, the organisers for taking such good care of me, and of course Wedge who made it all possible (I know that sounds a bit like an oscar speech, but hey, I feel as though I’ve just won one!)

Anyway, I’m now looking forward to my next training session in a couple of weeks, and just as soon as my big head has deflated a little I’ll get on with the meet-up blog I’ve promised :)