Category: Open Courses

  • Development Workshops for New Apprentices

    Development Workshops for New Apprentices

    Take Control of Your Money: Financial Wellbeing Made Simple for Apprentices

    This engaging and interactive half-day workshop is designed to help apprentices build confidence around money, spending, budgeting and future financial planning. Covering everything from understanding payslips and managing debt to everyday savings, advertising tricks and planning for the future, the session provides practical tools that can make a real difference to financial wellbeing. 

    Using real-life examples, discussions and activities, learners will explore how financial decisions affect day-to-day life and gain practical tips to improve financial confidence, reduce stress and make informed choices.

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    Going Self-Employed: What Every Young Person Needs to Know

    Thinking about becoming self-employed, freelancing or working as a subcontractor? It can offer flexibility, independence and the opportunity to earn money doing something you enjoy, but it also comes with responsibilities that are very different from being employed.

    This practical half-day workshop gives young people the knowledge and confidence to understand what self-employment really means before they get started. Participants will explore the different ways they can work for themselves, understand their responsibilities to HMRC, learn how tax and National Insurance work, and discover what financial support is available if they’re claiming Universal Credit or other benefits.

    Using real-life examples, interactive activities and practical scenarios, learners will leave with a clear understanding of how to manage their finances, avoid common mistakes and access the support available to help them succeed.

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    Bridging the Generations: Helping Apprentices Thrive in the Workplace

    Starting an apprenticeship can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Many apprentices find themselves working alongside colleagues with decades of experience, different communication styles, and different expectations of workplace behaviour. This can sometimes lead to uncertainty, anxiety, misunderstandings, or a lack of confidence in asking for help.

    This interactive workshop helps apprentices develop the skills and confidence needed to build positive relationships across generations, communicate effectively, seek support when needed, and manage workplace challenges professionally. Participants will explore how different generations communicate, how to handle disagreements constructively, how to give and receive feedback, and how to reduce workplace anxiety by building confidence, resilience, and support networks. 

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    Looking for Something Bespoke?

    We can also design fully bespoke programmes tailored specifically to your organisation. 

    Whether you’re looking to create: 

    • Staff induction programmes 
    • Compliance training 
    • Policy updates 
    • Leadership development 
    • Customer service training 
    • Internal learning resources 
    • Refresher programmes 
    • Service-specific knowledge libraries 

    Our team will work with you to create engaging, interactive learning that reflects your organisation, your branding and your objectives. 

    Whether you’re supporting 20 employees or 2,000, we can help create a solution that fits your organisation. 

    📧 Email: hello@societymatterscic.com 

  • Introducing Society Matters Microlearning

    Introducing Society Matters Microlearning

    Learning Doesn’t Stop When the Training Ends 

    Designed to reinforce learning, improve knowledge retention and build confidence, our Microlearning platform helps learners continue developing long after the live training session has finished.

    What is Microlearning? 

    Microlearning is a modern approach to learning that delivers information in short, focused modules that can be completed in just a few minutes. 

    Each learning activity focuses on a single topic or key learning point, making it easier for learners to absorb, remember and apply new knowledge in the workplace. 

    Rather than overwhelming learners with large amounts of information in one sitting, Microlearning delivers engaging content when it’s needed most—helping learning become part of everyday practice. 

    Why Add Microlearning? 

    Research consistently shows that people forget much of what they’ve learned unless they revisit and reinforce it. 

    Microlearning bridges the gap between attending training and putting learning into practice. 

    Adding Microlearning to your Society Matters training helps to: 

    • Improve knowledge retention 
    • Reinforce key learning after training 
    • Build learner confidence 
    • Support behavioural change 
    • Encourage continuous professional development 
    • Maximise the return on your training investment 

    Each learner receives approximately 90 minutes of additional bite-sized learning, specifically linked to the training course they’ve attended. 

    What’s Included? 

    Our interactive platform combines a range of engaging learning methods, including: 

    🎥 Short videos 

    🧠 Interactive quizzes 

    📖 Digital flip cards 

    💬 Scenario-based learning 

    🤖 AI-powered personalised learning journeys 

    🏆 Gamification, achievements and learner rewards 

    📊 Progress reporting and learner analytics 

    The platform adapts to each learner, helping them spend more time on the areas they find most challenging, creating a personalised learning experience that improves long-term retention. 

    Perfect for Busy Professionals 

    Whether your teams work in advice, housing, local government, charities, health, employment support or leadership roles, Microlearning allows them to continue learning at a pace that suits them. 

    Modules are: 

    • Accessible on demand 
    • Mobile and computer friendly 
    • Quick to complete 
    • Easy to revisit whenever needed 

    Learning fits around busy working days rather than interrupting them. 

    Simple to Add to Your Training 

    Adding Microlearning couldn’t be easier. 

    Simply browse our training courses as normal. 

    When you’ve selected the course you’d like to book, you’ll have the option to add Microlearning before completing your purchase. You can buy our Microlearning content as an individual or as a team. Check out our pricing slider here 

    Following your training, learners will receive access to their personalised Microlearning programme. 

    It’s that simple. 

    Book now

    Looking for Something Bespoke? 

    Our Microlearning platform isn’t just available as an add-on to Society Matters training. 

    We can also design fully bespoke Microlearning programmes tailored specifically to your organisation. 

    Whether you’re looking to create: 

    • Staff induction programmes 
    • Compliance training 
    • Policy updates 
    • Leadership development 
    • Customer service training 
    • Internal learning resources 
    • Refresher programmes 
    • Service-specific knowledge libraries 

    Our team will work with you to create engaging, interactive learning that reflects your organisation, your branding and your objectives. 

    Using videos, quizzes, branching scenarios, AI-powered learning journeys and gamification, we can transform your existing knowledge into engaging digital learning experiences that your staff will actually enjoy completing. 

    Whether you’re supporting 20 employees or 2,000, we can help create a solution that fits your organisation. 

    Ready to Extend Your Learning? 

    Microlearning is now available as an optional add-on to all Society Matters CPD-accredited training courses. 

    Simply choose your training course and add Microlearning during the booking process to continue learning long after the training has finished. 

    If you’d like to discuss a bespoke Microlearning solution for your organisation, we’d love to hear from you. 

    📧 Email: hello@societymatterscic.com 

    Together, let’s make learning last longer. 

  • Why our courses can now earn you CPD points

    Why our courses can now earn you CPD points

    At Society Matters cic we’ve built a reputation for delivering great training that people need and want. But we’re also not resting on our laurels. We’re continuing to learn from our customers as much as our customers learn from us, and we listen.

    When we were asked why our courses weren’t accredited by the CPD Certification Service we had to ask ourselves the same question. Most of our training is delivered to professionals so it stands to reason that you’d want to align the time you’ve spent on our courses and workshops with your other professional development.

    So in the Autumn last year we set ourselves the target of getting at least 10 of our courses accredited by the CPD Certification Service within 12 months, and we’re already well on our way, with 3 courses already accredited and 3 more planned this side of Easter.

    What does CPD Certification mean?

    First of all CPD is a mark of quality. We are proud of the wonderful feedback we receive on our course content and delivery approach, but also recognises that having independent endorsement is so important.

    With CPD certification our customers can have absolute confidence in the quality of the material, the content and the delivery approach, so the learning opportunity will have the best possible impact on both personal and organisational development. For training to be awarded CPD certification it will always have been independently assessed and scrutinised to ensure integrity and quality to a high level.

    Over and above this, by attending a CPD certified course our customers are awarded CPD points which holds a genuine value in professional development terms, whether that’s simply through the CPD certificate we award after the training, or a serious contribution towards the continuous professional development standard expected by your professional body.

    CPD Certified courses – at the same affordable price

    We’ve prioritised the development of our most popular social welfare courses, and are proud to have now achieved CPD Certification, as well as being able to keep our prices at a level we know our customers can afford.

    Get to Grips with Universal Credit (5½ CPD points)
    Get to Grips with Personal Independence Payment (5 CPD points)  and
    Introduction to Current Welfare Benefits (3½ CPD points)

    Next up are our popular ‘Managing and Stress and Avoiding Burnout’ and ‘Mental Health Awareness’ courses, both of which have had rave reviews so you can book now with confidence that CPD accreditation will be in place by the time you attend.

    If there’s a course you’re keen to see CPD certified let us know, and we’ll keep you posted on progress over the next few months. If you haven’t already, sign up to our mailing list so we can keep you updated.

  • Carers Matter …

    Carers Matter …

    Care and the care sector has been very much in the news over the past couple of weeks, with a new tax planned to build the capacity of care in the UK. However, what about those carers who are providing care that aren’t part of the formal care system?

    It is inevitable that many of us will care for a relative, partner or friend with a disability or long-term health condition in our lifetimes. There are already an estimated 6 million carers in the UK  and over 2 million more people become new carers every year. So it’s highly likely that you’re already a carer yourself, or you know someone who’s a carer.

    The financial realities of care

    Life as a carer can prove stressful, juggling employment with caring responsibilities, navigating the difficulties of the complex welfare benefit system, and keeping yourself above the poverty line. Taking on caring responsibilities can also often be unexpected, so understandably can be a shock to the system, and often life changing for the carer as well as the person being cared for.

    Without access to the right support this can take a serious toll on the carer’s quality of life. Critically the most immediate impacts tend to be personal finances and mental health, both of which can also have a major impact on their capacity as a carer.

    Recent research from Carers UK also found that 10% of carers in the UK are from a Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. Worryingly the report found that more than 60,000 BAME carers in England said they were actually in poor health themselves, slightly higher than ‘White British’ carers, presenting a worrying picture. Particularly as  the research shows that BAME carers provide more care proportionately than White British carers, and therefore putting them at greater risk of ill-health, loss of paid employment and social exclusion.

    The economics

    Unpaid carers take a huge burden off the NHS and Local Authorities when it comes to spending.

    In 2019 it was estimated by Carers UK that carers actually save the economy £132 billion per year, a significant average of £19,336 per carer. This reinforces the substantial contribution carers are making not only to society, to family and friends, but also to the public purse – albeit it doesn’t appear that this is reflected in social policy.

    Carers are susceptible to poverty

    It is a sad fact that, despite these savings, carers are highly likely to be at risk of poverty in the UK. The majority of carers are of working age and 5 million people in the UK are juggling caring responsibilities with work – that’s 1 in 7 of the total UK workforce who juggle low paid work and care.

    To make this worse, the welfare benefit system can prove difficult for carers to access. For example, a carer can’t earn more than £128 a week on average to be eligible for Carers Allowance and needs to care for the person 35 hours a week minimum. Even for those eligible, the payments are as low as £67.60 a week which rarely makes up for lost income through reducing hours to provide capacity for caring responsibilities. The carer’s element of Universal Credit is £163.73 a month. Again, this is low in comparison to other benefits in the UK.

    The system supporting those needing care is also tricky to navigate. Critically, the person being cared for needs to be on a qualifying disability benefit before a carers allowance application can be made, and this is something families find difficult to do without support – more awareness of this issue and the sources of support available is critical to ensuring carers can access the benefits they need to support them in their lives while they take on the huge responsibility of a caring role.

    4 practical steps carers can take to maximise their income

    1. Get a full benefit check for both the person being cared for and the carer as soon as possible, to make sure both are getting everything that you are entitled to. Remember the person being cared for will need to be on a qualifying disability benefit before the carer is entitled to anything so will need support with the correct application process Talk to Citizens Advice as early as possible if you need help.
    2. Arrange a Needs Assessment and a Home Assessment from your local authority to make sure the person being cared for gets all the assistance they are entitled to. Make a list of all the person’s care needs and whether they are being met or not. Try your best  not to downplay the condition and needs that they have – be honest, but thorough, and asking someone else to check it to make sure you haven’t missed anything is always a good idea.
    3. Get a Carers Assessment from your local authority. Make sure you make a list of all the tasks and challenges you face as a carer – again ask someone to check this if you can, as they may help you to think of things you didn’t. Another good idea is to keep a diary so you do not miss on all the tasks you do as a carer and highlight where support is needed before the assessment. Always remember, this is not about you asking to be ‘paid to care’ – this is about you accessing support to enable you to care, taking some of the financial strain away so you can care more effectively – for yourself as well as the person you’re caring for.
    4. Look for carers’ support locally. Local charities may help with much needed respite for carers or help with shopping, for example. This can help the carer rest and avoid burnout. Carers.org is a great place to start to find local support for both young and adult carers.

    Carers matter.

    They provide a critical support to millions of people across society, often the ‘unsung heroes’ who are saving the public purse a significant amount of money, and maintaining a quality of life for those who have found themselves in their care. We need to support carers to navigate the system, and to maintain their own quality of life, their mental health and their finances whilst undertaking the crucial role of being a carer.

    If you provide welfare support to people with caring responsibilities, we can help you to make your mark on their lives through accessible training on the topic of Carers and Caring Matters.

    Find out more here

  • Housing Matters workshop training launching in June

    Housing Matters workshop training launching in June

    In light of the ending of the eviction ban which was put in place to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, people need more support now than ever to stay in their homes, so Society Matters cic has designed another social welfare training course in response – ‘Housing Matters’.

    The effect of Covid-19 is still very real for millions of people, with their financial position being more fragile than ever before. Many people who, before last March, were just about coping are now facing poverty, and those already suffering are being hit even harder. Society Matters wants to share the knowledge its parent charity has of housing matters, to maximise the support available to people at the earliest possible opportunity, rather than when they face crisis and, worst case scenario, eviction.

    Jayne Graham MBE, Executive Director of Society Matters cic, explains

    “The direct link between housing matters and physical and mental health makes housing a critical factor in achieving a life well lived. A safe, secure roof over their heads is the linchpin families need to be able to thrive but, for many, significant instability comes from housing challenges, some of which can be avoided with access to the right information at the right time. We’re proud to be launching our half day Housing Matters workshop training, priced at only £35 + vat hopefully we’ll be able to get plenty of people trained to support people who need help, at the time they need it most.”

    To find out more about the Housing Matters workshop training click here.

    If you find yourself in urgent need of housing advice and information please contact Citizens Advice national Adviceline on 0800 144 8848

  • PIP Claims and how to get the basics right

    PIP Claims and how to get the basics right

    Welfare benefits claims are far from easy to navigate and people often have complex needs which can prove to be barriers to their benefit applications. The stakes are heightened with Personal Independence Payment claims, and the complexity of the application process can stand in the way of a successful claim for people who are really in need of the support.

    That’s why, through our training, we share acute front-end experience of how to successfully support people through the claims process for PIP. But to get you started, our Social Welfare Instructor Adam has prepared some pointers that will make sure you get the basics right.  

    What is PIP?

    Personal Independence Payment (known as PIP), is a benefit designed to help people with the additional costs involved in having a long term health condition or being disabled and isn’t means tested. That means that anyone can apply for PIP, regardless of their income or savings. The benefit replaced Disability Living Allowance in the UK. 

    There are eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled before claiming for PIP, including age and how the condition affects the potential claimant, so check these before getting started. You can find out more here https:

    Collect medical evidence before starting the claim

    Once you get started with a PIP claim the process is time limited, so it’s a really good idea to encourage your client to invest some time in collecting as much medical evidence as possible to support the application.

    Prospective claimants should contact their GP and any medical professionals that have been working with them in the last 12 months and let them know they are applying for PIP. You will find that most professionals are really empathetic and will write a supporting letter to accompany a claim.

    Remember PIP is designed to respond to how someone’s condition affects them, so the more medical evidence they get the better.

    Help with form filling

    The PIP application form is 33 pages long and can be quite daunting, so it’s always a good idea for a claimant to get help from someone with experience of successfully completing PIP forms.

    After your client has made their initial claim over the phone with the DWP, a PIP form should be sent out within 14 days, then they will have a month to fill in the form (if they need longer, for example because they need help to fill in the form, if they let the DWP know in good time they may be granted an extension).

    Stick to the descriptors

    We can’t stress enough how important it is for a claimant to stick to the descriptors, and cross reference their mobility and daily living needs to score as many legitimate points as possible. In our Get to Grips with PIP training we really get into the detail of each of the twelve descriptors but you can also get a basic understanding of each of the PIP descriptors in this short video series.

    Be prepared for the assessment

    The assessment is an important part of the claims process so preparation is key. It is well worth seeing if a home visit is feasible if the claimant is not well enough to attend an external venue (they may need medical evidence to prove this). Whether it’s at home or at an assessment centre, it is always worth the claimant being accompanied to the assessment for support.

    It’s also a really good idea for the claimant to keep a diary of how their condition affects them for a few weeks before the assessment date, so they can properly explain this to the assessor, to make sure they don’t forget anything if they feel a bit nervous. 

    Don’t give up

    If the PIP claim is unsuccessful first time round don’t give up.  In the event of a successful claim it’s definitely best to get help from organisations such as Citizens Advice to handle a ‘mandatory reconsideration’ and appeal if it gets to this stage. It may also be worth getting further medical evidence to back up the claim.

    The Tribunals Service statistics show that claimants are winning PIP appeals at the highest rate ever recorded. Overall, an extraordinary 73% of social security appeals are successful, with the claimant getting a better award than they originally received from the DWP. Our parent charity Citizens Advice Gateshead recently reported a 93% success rate when it comes to appeals.

    If you would like to learn more about PIP claims check out our series of short videos here, and if you’d like to learn more about how to help your own clients to improve their chances of a making a successful PIP claim please get in touch today to talk through how we can help.