WORKSHOPS THAT COMBINE THEORY AND PRACTICE
Our workshops are based on the knowledge that
our personal and professional experiences inform the way we learn best.
Seed for this Project
The seed for this project was planted after a community group run in November 2016. Since then, it has evolved over the last few years, culminating in a series of workshops/presentations which have been successfully offered in Mission and Abbotsford. We are a Mission BC-based company committed to the following.
- Philosophy
Changewerxs was developed from a commitment to the understanding that while knowledge is wonderful, unless knowledge is applied, it is just theory. Practice does not come from Theory. It’s the other way around. We can always obtain knowledge from all different forms of social media. But the application of knowledge, and the continued practice of that, is what facilitates change.
- Workshops
All workshops are interactive (individual, paired or small group activities and discussions), only of a 2- hour duration each and seek to accomplish two objectives. Firstly, it’s predicated on enhancing and deepening group learning through the dynamic and organic sharing of participants’ knowledge and experiences pertinent to the topic at hand. Secondly, in our ‘busy’ lives, a 2- hour workshop helps to sustain our attention and focus, keeping it pithy, specific and effective.
Workshops and seminars are adapted for specific client groups. With teams or homogeneous groups, there will be consultations on the learning needs of each target group. And each participant will be given a handout package which enhances the in-session work as well as providing extra material (often with up-to-date research articles, depending on the topic).
- Topics
Our topics include, among others, Assertiveness, Boundaries, Conflict Management, Managing Change, Procrastination, Crisis Management, Stress Management, Resilience Skills and Workplace Stress. A host of other topics can be found on our website: changewerxs.com, which include a summary of each topic’s content.
To see participant feedback from our workshops Click Here
- Our work
To date, our community partners have included, but not exclusive to, the following organisations (both in terms of workshops or presentations):
North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM), UFV (Abbotsford Campus), Mission Lifetime Learning Centre, Abbotsford Learning Plus, Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Emergency Support Services (Mission Fire Rescue), Fraser Valley CPA Association and the City of Mission.
- Group Facilitation
Jason is a retired Group Therapist and Social Worker in the field of Community Mental Health & Substance Use Services. He has over 40 years’ experience as a practitioner, facilitator and manager in the social services arena (over 26 of those are in the field of mental health).
Trained in England, his experience included work in England, Wales, the United States and Canada. He has a BA in Economics and a Masters in Social Work (& Social Policy). He is also UK-trained as a Probation Officer.
He specialises in interpersonal communications, cross-cultural communication, personal development and workplace management. Jason is a UK certified Field Instructor, and in recognition of his skills, was awarded the Practice Teaching (Field Instruction) Award by the UK Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work. He also earned his Certificate in Training & Development from the UK Institute of Training & Development, and was a Ministry staff trainer for 3 years in the UK.
A few years prior to retirement, Jason’s role (a self-demotion!) was as a facilitator/trainer with Fraser Health Authority’s Group Therapy Services in Mission, where he facilitated workshops and intensive groups for both staff and clients. Previous to that, he was a Clinical Coordinator at the same centre for over 20 years. Currently, he still co-facilitates evening Anxiety, Depression and Assertiveness groups at Mission Mental Health.
Jason has also co-facilitated Relationship Violence groups at Abbotsford Probation for 17 years (‘retiring’ in 2022).
On the volunteer front, he has been volunteering with MESS (formerly Adopt-A-Block) since 2017; Mission Folk Music Festival since 2017; Canada Day since 2018 and is a self-published author in 2019. His main interest is as a volunteer with Emergency Support Services (ESS), part of Mission Fire Rescue (since 2018). He is privileged and humbled to be of service to his community and beyond (like being involved with the 2021 wildfires and flooding).
Meet Our Team
He specialises in interpersonal communications, cross-cultural communication, personal development and workplace management. Jason is a UK certified Field Instructor, and in recognition of his skills was awarded the Practice Teaching (Field Instruction) Award by the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work. He also earned his Certificate in Training & Development from the UK Institute of Training & Development.
Jason recently retired as a facilitator/trainer with Fraser Health’s Group Therapy Services in Mission, where he facilitated workshops and intensive groups for both staff and clients. Prior to that, he was a Clinical Coordinator at the Centre for 20 years. Currently, he still co-facilitates evening groups at Mission Mental Health (e.g. Assertiveness, Depression & Anxiety groups).
Group Facilitation & Instructional Experience in the
Community: [2017 – Present]
- Dec. 2021 – North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) – Happiness: The Final Frontier or A Conversation in Futility?
- 2021 – Mission Lifetime Learning – Myths of Depression and Myths of Anxiety.
- 2020 – Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce – Assertiveness, Thinking Traps & Errors, True Colours, A Balanced Life and Change Management.
- 2020 – Mission Lifetime Learning Centre – Grief & Loss, Happiness by Design, De-Cluttering (Preparation for Spring), Personal Growth from Life’s Challenges, Introduction to Mindfulness, Managing Signs of Depression and Managing Signs of Anxiety.
- Dec. 2019 – District of Mission – Building & Increasing Resilience Skills.
- Nov. 2019 – Fraser Valley CPA Association Conference – Managing Workplace Stress: Signs & Strategies.
- Oct. 2019 – ESS (Emergency Support Services), Mission Fire Rescue – Compassion Fatigue & Self Care.
- Mission Lifetime Learning Centre – Fall/Winter 2019: Healthy Coping, Healthy Relationships & Surviving Holiday Stress)
- Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce (Winter/Spring 2020 – Change Management; Communication Styles & Time Management)
- Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce (Spring/Fall 2019 – Time Management, Workplace Stress & Managing Procrastination)
- Mission Lifetime Learning Centre (Winter/Spring 2019 – Communication Styles, True Colours, Worry & Sleep)
- Mission Chamber of Commerce (Nov./Dec. 2018 – Presentations on Attention Management and Conflict Resolution)
- Riverside College (Continuing Studies) (Fall 2018 – Workplace Stress, Boundaries & A Balanced Life)
- Mission Lifetime Learning Centre (Fall 2018 – Journaling, Mindfulness & Inter-generational Communications)
- Abbotsford Learning Plus (Oct. 2018 – Grief & Loss)
- Mission Lifetime Learning Centre (Spring 2018 – Grief & Loss, Mindfulness, Happiness
- UFV Abbotsford (Dept. of Wellness & Recreation) (Fall 2017 – Journaling)
Group Therapy Services, Fraser Health [2015 – 2018][2019 – Present)
- 2023 – One 10-week evening Depression group so far (as of Feb).
- 2022 – Three 10-week evening Depression groups and two 10-week Anxiety groups.
- 2021 – Two 10-week evening Depression groups, one 10-week evening Anxiety group & one 5-week Assertiveness group.
- 2020 – Two 10-week evening group on Depression for Mission Mental Health & Substance Use Services.
- 2019 – Two 10-week evening group on Anxiety for Mission Mental Health & Substance Use Services.
- Weekly Rapid Access Group (6 topics) – Fraser Health (Group Therapy Services)
- Weekly Workshops (39 topics) – Fraser Health (Group Therapy Services)
- 9 weekly Core & Secondary Groups (5-10-week duration) – Fraser Health (Group Therapy Services)
Fraser Health (Group Therapy Services): [2011- 2015]
- Weekly Rapid Access Group (6 topics)
- Community Agencies (Mission Friendship Centre, Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation, Rivendell (Second Stage Housing)
- Community Agencies Staff forums
Stroh Health Consulting [2005 – 2022]
- Relationship Violence Prevention/Respectful Relationships Program for Community Corrections (2-4 sessions yearly in an 11-week, 34 hour group)
University of the Fraser Valley [1997 – 2006] : Sessional instructor
- Interpersonal Communications
- Cross-Cultural Social Work Practice
Bradford Social Services Department Staff Training & Development Unit (UK) – 1992-1994
Topic include but not limited to:
- Theories of Adult Learning
- Staff Supervision
- Loss and Separation
- HIV/AIDS
- Management and Leadership Styles
- Quality Assurance
- Study Skills
- Recruitment and Selection
- Increasing User Participation
Richmond Fellowship (Community Mental Health) [1980 – 1985]
- Group work with both adolescents and adults in community group homes in Swansea (Wales), Miami Beach (Florida) and Coventry (England).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2019 – Present: Mission Mental Health – Position: Group Therapist (Casual)
2005 – 2022: Stroh Health Care Consulting – Relationship Violence Prevention Program – Position: Co-Facilitator
1995 – 2018: Fraser Health Authority.
Mental Health & Substance Use Services – Mission Unit: – Position: Group Therapist
Mental Health & Substance Use Services – Mission Unit: – Position: Clinical Coordinator
Mental Health & Addictions Services – Mission Unit: – Position: Site Coordinator
Mental Health Services: Fraser Valley Health Region – Position: Acting Regional Manager
Mental Health Services – Mission Unit: Position: Residential and Long-Term Teams Coordinator
Mental Health Services – Fraser Valley Health Region Position: Acting Regional Residential Program Coordinator
Jun. 1992 – Oct. 1994: Bradford Social Services Department, Bradford, England
Bradford Social Services Department – Training Unit Position: Staff Training and Development Officer
Bradford Social Services Department Position: Coordinator of Field Instruction for SW students
Jan. 1990 – May 1992: Bradford Social Services Department, Bradford, England
Bradford Social Services Department – Community Care Services – Position: Group Homes Leader (Learning Disabilities)
1989: Leeds Family Service Unit – Leeds, England
Leeds Family Service Unit – Position: Social Worker (Children and Families)
Jun. 1985 – Aug. 1987: Community Service Volunteers, Coventry & Bradford, England.
Community Service Volunteers – Position: Volunteer Director (Young Offenders Program & National Network Program)
Jun. 1980 – May 1985: The Richmond Fellowship (Mental Health) Wales, USA and England
The Richmond Fellowship (Mental Health) – Position: Deputy Warden – Community Group Home
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional:
1993 Certificate in Training and Development: [Certified Trainer] Institute of Training and Development (U.K.)
1992 Practice Teaching (Field Instruction) Award: Central Council on Education and Training in Social Work (U.K.) [Accredited Field Instructor]
1989 CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in Social Work) [qualified as a Social Worker and Probation Officer]: Manchester University, England.
Academic:
1989 MA (Econs.) in Social Policy and Social Work: Manchester University, England.
1980 BA (Hons.) in Economics: Portsmouth Polytechnic, England.
While holding various administrative positions in the post-secondary education system he worked with employers, employee groups, and communities to research and identify emerging labour market and social needs and to design appropriate responses.
