Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic - they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor! Gives variety to aged care exercise program.
The workshop ‘worked’ for me as it’s left me feeling like I want to know and do more. I understand this means some self-study but I would love the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve learned, access some of the resources, then come back for another few days focusing on ‘being’ a practitioner of Appreciative Inquiry. Then to keep the learning going by having experienced practitioner workshops to share our stories, build our strengths etc. Thanks for creating the program and for giving of your time, energy and multiple intelligences!
This workshop was, by far, one of the most inspirational, thoughtful, action-provoking workshops I have attended for many years - and I've attended many! Two days were not enough - we could have spent the whole week working on the many aspects that were obviously not covered in the timeframe allowed! As a Community Development Trainer and Facilitator, I have been an AI convert for many years and utilise it in professional development workshops that I deliver throughout Australia and for framing generative questions. But this particular course by Sue and Chris gave me a deeper meaning and understanding of AI as a way of viewing my work, family, colleagues and life through a thoroughly more appreciative lens! I cannot recommend the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry highly enough and I'm sure if I did the 2 days again, I would gain bucket-loads more from each workshop!
Really enjoyed the shared wisdom of the group. The handout & references are great to support further learning. Succinct, clear information. Plenty of time to discuss and share. Thank you for a great two days. It was a great overview into AI. Warm, friendly and welcoming.
I appreciated the interesting differences you brought to the process as co-facilitators. The balance between levity and ‘seriosity’ made the day pass pretty quickly. I think you’re offering a nice easing into AI – many thanks for your generosity … live long and prosper!
I valued finding out more about the theory behind AI, having a chance to have a go, the pace and the Tai Chi energisers. I learned lots. Specifically the principles and the way they link/underpin the approach, the 5D Cycle and the importance of preparation and purpose in setting up protocols.
Really enjoyed today, particularly valuable for me was your explanation of “provocative propositions”. Best ever! Great to have a practitioner speaking of real experiences. Thank you for a great day. I'd recommend this workshop for anybody who is interested in organisational development, working with community or themselves. Great introduction.
Great day of learning an alternative approach that can focus on a positive way of interacting and sharing in an informal way. I will be using some of what I've learned when in need of client input in services that we are providing, as well as with members of my team in times of planning and evaluating.
It was good hearing about how AI can be utilised and gain a greater appreciation of the positive impact/difference it can make to a whole range of situations/applications. I'm now going to prepare/frame good AI questions, appreciate others’ perspectives and view of the world, acknowledge and validate and then build/facilitate co-created realities/aspirations and sense of future.
I found the workshop to be very informative and enjoyable. Very hands on which is a great way to learn and practice what we have been taught. I look forward to sharing my new skills with our residents.
Thank you so much for today!! It was a very interesting and uplifting day. I learnt valuable skills that will be able to apply when working with my residents in the future. Chair Chi will be part of my exercise program. ... everybody in this course today picked up something different. Next time I’m sure I will hear something different again.
Really enjoyed the day and learned so much. Can't wait to begin chair chi with our residents. It was good fun, informative, and relevant to aged care lifestyle exercise programme.
I liked very much the Chair Chi program. I learned very useful techniques to improve the route of my exercise class. I think Chair Chi is one of the most helpful to elderly and disabled people. I am going to put in practice what I learned today. Very important to apply in a nursing home. Even for all kinds of persons. Thank very much!
The one on one discussion was sensational. It was good to go outside my comfort zone. It was well-paced, relaxed with plenty of breaks and would be of great value to a team environment. Sue is a very relaxed host who leads the process slowl in the desired direction. Easy to listen to, great flexibility offered - and Chris's Tai Chi element is always going to be a winner!
The best thing was hearing examples of methods that have worked for you in the past. I enjoyed your care and thoughtfulness and reconnecting to Tai Chi again. Thank you.
Thank you for the opportunity to have had a master class in AI. I thought that a lot of the information was presented succinctly in the workbook which will be a great resource for the future. I thought it was well-paced with a good mix of information and activity. I can see that as a result of this workshop, not only will I be confident to develop a proposal for an AI project and implement it, but also just be a little more appreciative in my approach to day to day life. Would I recommend this workshop? Absolutely! Sue's expertise and knowledge of AI would be hard to beat and she is a gifted facilitator.
An amazing opportunity to be provided the time to reflect on our shared wisdom. An amazing personal journey and hopefully the start of an incredible professional journey.
A number of club members approached me after the meeting and expressed their appreciation. They indicated that the presentation was both personally beneficial, and beneficial to the club. This is an ideal combination to make our meetings enjoyable and encourage attendance. Thank you for the time taken.
Thank you so much, Sue and Chris. Your gracious facilitation and your sensitivity to us has enabled our spirits to look and see beyond our own horizons!
Sue used Appreciative Inquiry methods to draw out ideas for the project from a broad stakeholder group. The shared conversation techniques Sue adopted, the open communication and design ideas that came out of the session were a great success. I have found her to be an enthusiastic and professional facilitator who is able to draw out ideas and establish open and positive communication between stakeholders. I look forward to working with Sue in the facilitation of our future design projects.
I would like to thank you for facilitating the HACC Business Planning Day. There was a great deal of positive feedback about the proceedings and how well you kept things “on Track” which assisted us to achieve more on the day.
The best thing about these sessions was the way you both combined your talents and messages. It tapped into deeper dimensions than many other [professional development sessions] I've attended.
The most helpful thing was putting relaxation strategies into the leadership context. It was relevant, relaxing, something refreshing - and unique. Most grateful for your time!!
Chris and Sue presented a very well prepared, fun and energising session on a targeted activity developing a Peer Review Performance Model for our college. Their preparedness to listen to our needs in the lead up communication before the activity ensured that the material was relevant and practical. Their work has allowed us to begin our new format with confidence.
The session was very positive and staff really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with others in a fun, social atmosphere while learning some useful strategies for managing stressful situations in the workplace.
It was really motivational through the storytelling. And the practical and simple Tai Chi techniques were amazing - I really felt the difference. I came away feeling much more positive and freer of mind. I felt like I'd lost my inhibitions and it had opened my mind. It gave me a buzz!
The improvement in staff morale flows on to our client base by improving customer satisfaction. I feel any company considering these services would benefit greatly from the improvement achieved in multiple areas.
One thing I'll use straight away is focus on my business goals and put them on paper rather than leave them on a verbal basis. I'd highly recommend this workshop to others because many business owners are not aware about setting goals and more importantly looking at the values which are the main reason for the existence of their business.
Sue not only has the knowledge and skill base as a facilitator to assist companies in moving ahead - she also builds rapport very quickly which makes the insights relevant on a professional and personal level. Sue is a wonderful networker in the area of AI and therefore has the experience and a more global understanding of how companies can go from good to great!
We found that Chair Chi provides our residents with a chance of gentle exercise and relaxation which they look forward to on a regular basis. We notice they appear more relaxed after the session, more socially active as they chat amongst each other.
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed your delivery of Chair Chi and would love to have you back again. Your attitude towards the residents was impressive and you interacted with them brilliantly, they responded and participated well and definitely benefited from you. Once again thank you Chris and I will certainly recommend you to other facilities.
Chair Chi is a great success at St. John’s Park Hostel, with at least 10 residents participating per session. Our residents continue to talk about the sessions happily afterwards. Our residents have said that they are keen for this activity to continue as part of St. John’s leisure program, as they say they are more relaxed following the session.
At our recent Diversional Therapist network meeting Chair Chi was the first of the three major improvements we noticed. Residents happy to attend when they know it's Chair Chi. They can feel the benefit afterwards.