Just a quick word again that the new catalogue for the WEA is out, and there is some great classes being offered. One of these is by Lee Pascoe, hypnotherapist, about how to use Self Hypnosis to overcome issues such as anxiety. I did this last year and found it very helpful in overcoming my fear of flying. It will be held over two sessions this time, Friday Jan 6th and the following Monday, 3 hours each. The concession fee is $42.

For artists, there’s a class on Professional Development I like the look of, 9am Sat February 4th for four hours, the fee is $35. It purports to offer “practical advice for professional artists. Topics include aspects of approaching leading commercial galleries; including creating a professional CV, upgrading portfolios, and image management.”

The last thing that caught my eye you may be interested in is a class on “Presentation Story Telling” that apparently offers to develop speaking and presentation skills. (Peer Workers take note!) It’s on a Thursday evening at 5.45pm for three weeks starting on the 23rd of February. The concession fee is $36. I haven’t tried this one myself so again I can’t vouch for it specifically, but I have generally learned a lot from the WEA classes I’ve attended. (and I’ve done a lot of them!)

For those of us with an interest in Peer Work (this is someone who uses their personal experience around mental illness to educate and encourage others) there are a couple more training opportunities coming up you may be interested in.

Firstly, a new Certificate 4 in Peer Work is going to be offered for the first time next year. Here’s the information I have about it so far:

The Peer Work Project, in collaboration with TAFE SA, has received funding to conduct a Certificate IV in Peer Work during Semester 1 of 2012.  If you are currently employed as a Peer Worker or would like to work in this area and are interested in studying Cert IV in Peer Work, then please call Baptist Care SA to express your interest in attending an information session and find out more about the:

·         Application and selection process
·         Number of contact days and length of course
·         Cost (significantly subsidized)
·         Assessments

When: Tuesday 13^th December 2011 from 3pm – 4:30pm 
Where: Glen Osmond Baptist Church, Corner of Glen Osmond Rd and Fisher St, Myrtle Bank 

Please let us know if you will be attending, or if you have any queries, by phoning us on         8338 6799 or by emailing peerwork@baptistcaresa.org.au

There’s also information sessions coming up about the training to become a volunteer telephone counsellor with Lifeline. I haven’t done this myself but my understanding is that the training is held in good standing in the health care community. They will be from 6pm – 7.30pm on

– Wednesday 14th December
– Tuesday 17th January
– Thursday 2nd Febuary

Held at UnitingCare Wesley, Way Hall, First Floor, Pitt Street Adelaide. Please phone their administration on 8202 5820 to attend.