Feedback from learners
For a full list of who we have worked with and related case studies please visit our list of clients
"The Group Work Skills Manual I use as my 'Bible'. Everytime I want to run a group session I re-read it. Thank you."
Katie Cragg, The Coalition for Disabled People
‘We are delighted to support ICA:UK’s peer research projects as feel that it is vital that young people have their voices heard about issues that are important to them. Young people need to be listened to by decision makers so that services can truly reflect their needs, and young people can feel that they have contributed towards their futures. ‘
Eve from North West Together We Can
'It was great to work with you and see the different ways you engage with the young people. I look forward to the next session'
Emma Collins, Institute for Research & Innovation in Social Services (IRISS)
“Thank you for facilitating the Make a Positive Contribution workshop at our recent Sharing Event. … It was a very interesting, informative and empowering session for young people. We particularly appreciated your highly participatory and creative approach, both to helping young people to contribute to discussions in a meaningful way, and to working with us in designing, planning and implementing the event.”
Mini Kretz, Youth Involvement Manager
Greater Manchester Connexions
“Thank you for your contribution to the Family Support Workshop and planning session. We were ‘stuck' and the focus you helped us to engineer has moved us forward. Your thoughtful and supportive facilitation is valued.”
Mick Tinch, Childrens' Services Manager
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
“Thank you for facilitating our Away Day and assisting us to create our vision to take Youth Participation forward in both our business plan and, more importantly, within the delivery of our work. … One important thing we learned that day was that we should never underestimate the ability of young people to deal with complex issues and, equally, to never underestimate adults' ability to undermine young people's participation.”
Diane Law, Youth Work Manager
BARCA-Leeds
"Thanks for the training today. The training is really useful. I think it is a really useful topic to look at and research"
Laura Critchley, Peer Researcher and Young Community Leader
"Many, many thanks for the training, I personaly have found it really useful and feedback from colleagues is that they have too, so as training officer I'm very pleased."
Helen Miller, Head of Training, Halton Youth Service
In a sentence or two how would you describe ICA:UK’s training to a friend or colleague?
“Well planned, working to brief, does what it says on the tin, excellent trainer.”“Different, using inclusive & creative ways to inspire & create a safe & fun learning environment.”
“They know how to interact with people.” Can be tailored to your needs.”
“It is a positive, informative training that informs on different training and planning tools.”
“The training is relevant and adapted to develop your skills; it is delivered at an easy & understandable level.”
“Professional training pitched at the appropriate level.”
“Informative- some useful participation tools are explored”
Participants on our Training of Trainers Course
What have you achieved from working with ICA:UK?
“Greater understanding of issues and possibilities for joint work.”
“A more effective way of working, with clear identifiable outcome seeing that most groups are wanting and agreeing with the same things”
“The facilitation has been really good and used innovative ways of getting us to explore the agenda”
“Imaginative ways of addressing old tasks, skilled and planned sessions, relevant tasks – Hire them!”
“Relaxed, informative, friendly and innovative approach to training”
“Particularly enjoyed the way the visioning activity was organised – helping to stimulate further discussion and identify key themes.”
“I will share information from today with my team and incorporate into the team plan”
“It was done well giving everyone in the group to have a say. I have been to events like this before when 2 or 3 people hogged the afternoon but today I felt like everyone said what they wanted to say and not inhibited to do so”
“The highlights have been lively discussions – well organised co-ordination, and learning what positive outcomes could happen if all this work happens.”
"Summarised ideas, reflected back, kept people on track.” “Entertaining, enthusiastic and confident trainers”
“Meeting, networking and working with colleagues from different agencies was my highlight”Partcipants on our Group Work Skills Course 2010
Did you enjoy working with ICA:UK?
“It was something different, (unheard of to me) very important and a sometime over looked”
"The staff were friendly and supportive and believe in their work. ”
”I have gained invaluable experience from my involvement with ICA. ”
”Interesting and enlightening to see recent developments in the field of youth work.”
“Member of staff are caring and it’s a fun programme to join”
“I loved the project I did the staff made it really enjoyable to do.”
What actual skills did you gain from working with ICA:UK?
“Team work skills and picking up important knowledge and using it appropriately.”
“For the first time I began to get a clear picture in my mind about certain kinds of bullying and how YP are affected. We need to give out more information in a child friendly way!”
“How to facilitate a Peer research project”
“Information I can apply to my own work with young people”
“Organisational and planning”
“The ability to talk with confidence to my peers about these subjects”
Responses from a questionnaire sent to youth workers and young people that have worked with ICA