Growing cultures

Client: Heath Education West Midlands
Project: Mentoring Training for Birmingham-based GPs

Real Time Education has worked with the NHS in Birmingham on a practical mentoring development course as part of Health Education West Midland's Faculty Development initiative. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with groups of GPs currently involved in mentor training and active in mentoring.

The programme began with 2-days' exploration of Egan’s ‘critical friend’ mentoring model including discussions of benefits and challenges and role play using authentic, contextualised case studies. Following the initial sessions, delegates returned to practice in the community working with trainee doctor mentees before returning for reflective, evaluative sessions and action planning later in the year.

Delegates attending the training commented:
"A really good event. It was inspiring to see and learn from the example of other delegates. Their ideas were appropriately contextualised by experienced facilitators"

"Fabulous course, I really enjoyed it; really robust resources to take away"

"Really supportive and interesting. I felt able to ask questions when I was unsure and got good experience from the role play"

"Lots of opportunity for interactive discussions, good materials and a clear agenda"

Client: Midlands Truck and Van, Mercedez-Benz
Project: Coaching, Mentoring and Trainer Training

Real Time worked with Midlands Truck and Van, the approved Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealership for the West Midlands to build a mentoring and coaching culture in the company. The leadership and management development programme used mentoring strategies including critical friends partnering and the GROW model and to enhance the professional practice and performance of sales, servicing and support staff helping the company meet its strategic targets.

'Train the Trainer' development sessions were also provided to key managers to allow a learning culture to be built in the company. The sessions allowed a training action plan to be put into place and key individuals identified who now participate in a buddying and peer observation process to cascade excellent practice effectively around the company.

Members of the management team commented:
"I found the exercises interesting - they will enable me to further my mentoring and coaching skills."

"I liked how the sessions were tailored specifically for mine and the business's needs."

"I really enjoyed the sessions and think the training will benefit me greatly in the future”.