A South Cumbria training business has been helping people with complex needs get back into work during the coronavirus crisis.

Skills Shop Limited, in Barrow, has been running courses for participants in The Building Better Opportunities Getting Cumbria to Work project.

The project supports people in the Barrow and South Lakes area aged 18 and above to get the skills they need to get into work.

Skills Shop ran a face-to-face emergency first aid at work course for participants before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and has since delivered a bespoke online conflict management course so they can continue learning.

Twenty-five people accessed the two courses.

Project manager Natalia Wealleans-Turner said: “Phil and his team designed the conflict management course for us so that participants can log in and work at their own pace which is perfect during this challenging period.

"Many participants are managing multiple stresses, such as home schooling children, caring duties and increased levels of anxiety linked to coronavirus and so having the option to complete this at their own pace has been fantastic for them.”

She said the course had helped improve participants’ communication skills and their ability to problem solve, especially in circumstances they might come across at work.

“The conflict management course teaches participants how to become more assertive and empathise with others,” said Phil.

“The course focuses a lot on understanding people’s beliefs, behaviours and the importance of communication, helping people build relationships quicker.

"By empathising more with others, people are more likely to remain calm during a discussion and look at things in a balanced manner.”

Skills Shop has also been commissioned to deliver health and safety in the workplace and first aid for mental health courses for the project, along with a bespoke course in positive thinking to support people's mental health and wellbeing during lockdown.