What Makes Good Company Training Different?
- The Good Company People
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
At The Good Company People, we know that good support starts with people who feel confident, calm, and well prepared.
That’s why we invest in training that’s human, not corporate. Delivered in person by our brilliant dementia lead, Sue Hinds, and shaped by the experiences of our members and volunteers, it’s always evolving and always grounded in real life.
What Do We Cover?
Our training brings together core knowledge and everyday wisdom. Whether you’re volunteering at a Club, supporting someone one-to-one, or hosting a Circle, we help you:
Understand what dementia is and how it can affect people differently
Build empathy and confidence through lived examples, not just facts
Know what to do if someone’s behaviour changes
Hold good boundaries while still being kind
Create welcoming spaces that don’t feel clinical
We also explore how to look after yourself, because caring for others should never mean burning out.
“It made me feel ready, not just trained. There’s a real difference.” – Volunteer Host
GEM States: A Fresh Perspective
At one of our recent training days, 27 team members, volunteers and members took part in a session exploring the GEM states model developed by dementia specialist Teepa Snow. It’s a simple, respectful way of thinking about the different ways dementia can show up – not as stages of decline, but as changing strengths and abilities, like the qualities of different gemstones.
It helped bring a new understanding to the way we support members, showing that:
Everyone living with dementia still has value, capacity and personality
Our job is not to ‘manage’ them, but to meet them where they are
Being flexible, curious and calm is often more helpful than being ‘right’
We’ll be turning some of this learning into short videos and practical resources to help more volunteers and families feel confident too.
“The GEMs helped me see the person first again. Not just the behaviour.”
Not Just a One-Off
Training at Good Company doesn’t stop after one session. We run regular bite-sized workshops, reflective learning sessions, and peer get-togethers. We also bring volunteers, members and staff together to help shape how we work and what our training includes.
“I’ve done lots of training before, but this felt different. It felt like us.”
Why It Matters
Volunteers are at the heart of what we do. From driving members to Clubs, to greeting people at the door or holding space for conversations that matter — they’re the ones making Good Company feel like home.
That’s why our training isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about building confidence and connection so that people feel able to show up for each other with empathy, skill and care.
Whether you’re new to volunteering or have been around the block a few times, there’s always something to learn. And we’d love to have you with us.
Want to know more or get involved? Email us at hello@thegoodcompanypeople.org or come along to one of our Clubs and see what we’re about.
