Frequently asked questions

What do I need to bring to the course?

A pen and paper
Three towels
Your own PPE (see “What should I wear” below)
Water bottle
A mug/cup for a cuppa
Lunch and snacks
Although there are shops/cafes near most venues, it is advisable to bring a packed lunch and snacks as we only have 30 minutes for lunch break.

If you are having 1-1 training, you may wish to bring along someone to practice massage on for the afternoon, otherwise we will work together. It all depends on how you wish to work.

What should I wear?

Whatever you feel comfortable in, but probably not your best silks, as we may be practicing with oil. I encourage casual wear rather than uniforms as some people living with dementia associate uniform with authority and power, and I wish to take away barriers to create equality of regard.

We will also be wearing PPE in line with covid:

A mask unless you are exempt
Goggles or equivalent
An apron & gloves if you feel more comfortable working this way – although these items are not compulsory

You will be expected to provide all your own PPE

What is the course content?

Massaging Persons Living with Dementia – 1 day course
Introductions – housekeeping, working agreement, goals
What is dementia – a potted definition
Dementia and how it affects the brain – a whistle-stop tour of how dementia affects our brain
Trauma – an introduction to the impact of how this may affect our clients with tips on how to calm and reassure safely
Understand some of the benefits of massage for people living with dementia to sell your service
Legislation – how the law impacts on your practice and vulnerable adults
Consent and Touch – an exploration of verbal and nonverbal consent for people with reduced mental capacity
Client record cards, specialist contraindications, health and safety and contracts
Ergonomics – respect your body
Top Tools – an introduction to compassionate communication and approaches to engage with a person on their terms
THE PRACTICAL – Learn a basic easily accessible repertoire of specialist massage techniques: hands, arms, face.
Reflection and Feedback

Advanced Massaging Persons Living with Dementia – 2 day course
Introductions – housekeeping, working agreement, goals
What is dementia – a potted definition
Dementia and how it affects the brain – a whistle-stop tour of how dementia affects our brain
Trauma – the impact of how this may affect our clients with tips on how to calm and reassure safely
Understand the benefits of massage for people living with dementia to sell your service confidently
Legislation – how the law impacts on your practice and vulnerable adults
Consent and Touch – an exploration of verbal and nonverbal consent for people with reduced mental capacity
Client record cards, specialist contraindications, health and safety and contracts
Ergonomics – respect your body
Top Tools – a deeper, practical exploration of compassionate communication and approaches to engage with a person on their terms
Adapting behaviour: scenario-based learning to understand behaviours and adapt our approaches to de-escalate and co regulate with people to enable them to feel comfortable with you
THE PRACTICAL – Learn a comprehensive repertoire of specialist massage techniques across the body
Reflection and feedback

Aromatherapy for Persons Living with Dementia – 1 day course
Introduction – housekeeping, working agreement, goals
Dementia – a quick definition
A Whistle-stop Brain Tour
The benefits of essential oils for persons living with dementia – meeting needs, evidence
Some key essential oils
Implications and Limitations
Treating secondary health issues associated with dementia
Using essential oils and application safely with vulnerable adults/adults at risk
Holding space and selecting oils with your client
THE PRACTICAL – Sharing touch intervention techniques, completing client record cards using scenarios provided or use your own, create and agree a treatment plan including home care plan/prescriptions if appropriate, conduct a treatment in line with your plan
Group feedback – what you will try, or do differently?

How many CPD points do I earn?

You earn 1 CPD point per hour of training received if you are a member of the FHT, so 7 points for the 1day course and 12 points for the advanced 2 day course. Other professional associations will advise you on their policy regarding CPD allocation/awards.

What are the course times?

All Training is face to face and generally runs from 9am to 5pm with half an hour lunch & a break in the morning and afternoon, although I would advise you to check the welcome email I send you upon booking for any variations.

I ask that students arrive a little early to orientate themselves with their surroundings and ensure they start their day in a comfortable and relaxed frame of mind for learning.

How do I pay?

Please go to the Courses page; click on the booking option you prefer & follow the instructions.

Full payment is required by the week before the course date. Sometimes there may still be

availability on the course by this time, so late bookings are always welcome.

You can pay by cheque, but please allow time for any payments to clear for at least 7 days

before the course is due to start.

If you wish to pay by bank transfer please get in touch for details.

I like to be able to encourage everyone to attend the course, so if you wish a personal

payment plan over a longer period can be arranged. Please feel free to contact me regarding

arrangements.

You will be expected to complete a booking/participant agreement form which gives me details so that I may

contact you as well as arrange for any special requirements you may need on the day of the course. It also outlines what you can expect to learn on the course.

What about cancellations?

Sometimes things go wrong and you may be unable to attend a course. You have the right to a 14day refund, unless you book so close to the date that I have had to send you your pre-course reading in which case see below*.

If notification of cancellation is more than four weeks of the course date Massage for Dementia will offer you a place on the next available course or refund you the full amount of the course minus a £50 administration fee so long as no pre course reading has been sent to you.

*If notification of cancellation is given less than 4 weeks of the course date then Massage for Dementia reserves the right to retain the full amount. However if Massage for Dementia is able to fill your place then you will be refunded the full amount minus a £50 administration fee so long as no pre course reading has been sent to you.

Please note the administration fee is £100 for 1-1 courses.

This is due to the difficulty in booking work in for a whole day at short notice.

Failure to attend a course will not result in a refund.

I do not like to cancel courses but in the unlikely event that I have to cancel a course you will be offered a place on the next available course or your payment will be returned in full.

What about changing dates?

Sometimes the unforeseen/unwanted happens and if I need to cancel a course it will only be with very good reason. In this instance I will offer you an alternative or a full refund.

If you need to change the date, I will be happy to accommodate you, but would ask you to understand that this is a time consuming and costly process, which is why I charge a £50 administration fee to change the date for you.

What about accommodation?

When I travel I sometimes use this website: www.airbnb.co.uk

What about equal ops?

I operate an inclusive policy where equal opportunities are provided and all learners are welcome. If you have special requirements I will do my best to accommodate you.

I wish to assist student access to every course I run so there are options to pay by instalments.. Please see booking page. However, if you wish, please contact me for a more personal payment plan.

How many students are on each course?

Historically, courses have had up to 14 students attending. This ensures good quality training and 1-1 intervention to make sure you can confidently take away your new skills. Some venues may accommodate smaller numbers depending on venue size or the cross-infection guidelines in place at the time. Larger groups will be catered for, and courses are adapted to suit your needs if and when it is safe to do so. See my consultancy page.

Cornwall courses run with a minimum of 2 students

Other Venues with a minimum of 4 possibly more if I have to travel further afield as costs increase with distance.

What happens after I book a course?

Once you have booked on a course, you will receive a welcome email with all the info you need on the venue, directions contact details, requirements etc.

You will be provided with a receipt for your records. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me.

What if I need to contact you after a course?

We are all responsible for our individual learning enhancing our ability to practice confidently, competently and professionally within our field. However, being a freelance therapist can often be isolating.

Part of my commitment to you is to offer an ongoing service in the form of supervision, or “Your Empower Hour” to support you through your challenges and celebrate your successes. If you would like to sign up to either of these services, please feel free to contact me. You can also subscribe to my newsletters, by visiting https://massagefordementia.co.uk/newsletters/ and entering your email address.

For FREE ongoing sharing, information and tips, please feel free to sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky.

Does this qualify me to practice massage?

If you are already a qualified bodywork therapist, this training will add to your portfolio as a therapist to massage professionally. If you are not a qualified bodywork therapist you cannot practice as a massage therapist …. BUT do not worry, you can still benefit hugely from attending, learning how to use therapeutic touch safely.

You will learn compassionate approaches, empowering legal stuff and I always ensure you take away some new specialist hands on skills so that you can weave therapeutic touch into your daily work, care or therapy toolbox.

Can I attend a course a second time?

Yes, some attendees like to go away and consolidate their knowledge before returning to further boost their confidence once they have more working practice. Others like to return for a refresher course and fulfill their CPD obligations.

If you attend the course a second time, please feel free to contact me for the relevant discount available at the time (any discount offered applies to group training only; this does not apply to privately organised training and excepts already discounted, 1-1 or 2-1 training). I am always tweaking and updating course content to keep it fresh. Repeat attenders feel they learn something new each time.

The Little Massage Clinic

Nicolle Mitchell I.T.E.C. Dip, MFHT
Holistic Massage Consultant and Trainer
FHT Excellence in Practice –
Innovation Award Winner

CONTACT NICOLLE

Email: massage4dementia@gmail.com
Telephone: 07899 944650 (answerphone when busy, do leave a message)

Address

The Blue Lotus Therapy Centre
Workshops 2 & 3, Scorrier House,
Redruth, TR16 5AU

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