Mental Health Training in Wigan
Specifically designed for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Sector.
If you have not received a confirmation of your booking within 2 working days please email us at training@ewgcounselling.co.uk
If you have not received a confirmation of your booking within 2 working days please email us at training@ewgcounselling.co.uk
Delivered by Emotional Wellbeing Group (EWG) in partnership with Wigan Council
We’re proud to offer a range of free mental health and wellbeing training opportunities for individuals, volunteers, and organisations across Wigan Borough.
These courses are designed for people working or volunteering in the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, but are also open to anyone supporting others in the community.
To make it easier to find the right course for you, our training is now organised into the sections below.
Online Self-Guided Courses
Learn at your own pace, from anywhere.
Who this is for
People who want flexible learning that fits around work, volunteering, or family commitments.
Ideal for those new to mental health support or looking for a quick refresher.
What you’ll get
Bite-sized, self-paced online modules
Videos, reflection exercises and downloadable resources
Certificates of completion for most courses
Courses include
Suicide Awareness (Online) – A short, interactive course to build confidence in talking safely about suicide.
Trauma & Resilience (Level 2) – Learn about trauma, how it affects the brain, and how to build resilience and recovery.
Becoming a Lived Experience Mentor (New!) – Discover how to use your personal experience safely to support others, with lessons on boundaries, self-care and signposting.
Perfect for: Anyone who prefers independent study or wants to learn flexibly.
Suicide Awareness Training
ONLINE : SELF GUIDED
30 minute training aimed at helping people feel more equipped and confident talking to someone who is having thoughts of suicide.
Lived Experience Mentoring
Becoming a Lived Experience Mentor
Using your own journey to support others safely and effectively
Supporting learners to develop an understanding of a mentoring role and use their own experience to provide helpful strategies for others whilst acknowledging that each experience is unique.
Additionally, learning to provide information, advice, signposting and support networks and helping those that support to develop assertiveness skills to aid in getting the help they need.
COMING SOON
RSPH Healthy Minds Manchester
ONLINE: : SELF GUIDED
A new 1 hour online course to understand; the difference between mental health and poor mental health, the things we can do to help us cope with negative thoughts and feelings and the benefits of talking about and sharing our thoughts and feelings with someone we trust.
Awareness & Early Intervention Training
Build confidence to talk about mental health and support others safely.
Who this is for
Volunteers, community leaders, or staff who want practical tools for supporting mental wellbeing without needing professional qualifications.
What you’ll get
Practical skills to recognise early signs of distress
Guidance on how to talk about suicide safely
Confidence to signpost or refer people to help
Courses include
SafeTALK (Half Day) – Learn how to spot signs of suicide and connect people with help.
SPEAK (3.5-Hour Workshop) – Build confidence to talk safely about suicide and offer support.
ASK (Online, 2 Mornings) – Learn how to support children and young people (ages 5–14) who may be having thoughts of suicide.
Connect 5 – Changing the Conversation on Mental Wellbeing - A three-module course suited to staff/volunteers in any setting. Gain tools to hold safe, meaningful conversations about wellbeing, help someone explore their options, and support action for change.
Perfect for: Community workers, volunteers, or anyone wanting to start important conversations about mental health.
ASK : 2 Day Guided Online Course
Date: 4th & 5th February 2026
Time: 9am - 1.30pm
Suicide prevention workshop for professionals working with children and young people aged 5-14 years old, complements learning in ASIST.
Connect 5: 3 Session Course
Dates: Multiple - click book now to see our upcoming dates
Connect 5 – Changing the Conversation on Mental Wellbeing
Who this is for:
Anyone working or volunteering in community, voluntary, or organisational settings who wants to develop confidence and tools to support mental wellbeing in everyday interactions.
What you’ll get:
Practical, evidence-based tools and techniques to use in everyday conversations about mental health.
A three-module course (half-day sessions)
SPEAK : In-person Course
Date: 21st October 2025
Time: 9:30am - 1pm
Location: Wigan Library
Consider the attitudes, myths, and stigma around suicide how to encourage open, safe and sensitive conversation about suicide and to support a safety plan.
Please subscribe for updates on this training.
SP-OT : Guided Online Course
Date: 27th August 2025
Time: 9:30am - 11am
Understand the prevalence and impact of suicide, explore the language and challenges, recognise the ‘signs’ that may indicate thoughts of suicide.
Please subscribe for updates on this training.
SafeTalk
Date: 3rd February 2026
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Family Hub Hindley
Become a recognised “Suicide Alert Helper” on this half day workshop, which provides all resources, and certification.
Skill-Building & Specialist Workshops
Develop deeper skills for supporting others.
Who this is for
Those who already have some awareness and want to take their learning further — such as support staff, peer supporters, and community coordinators.
What you’ll get
Hands-on learning with qualified trainers
Group discussions and role-play practice
Certificates and recognised qualifications (for some courses)
Courses include
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, 2 Days) – The internationally recognised “gold standard” in suicide intervention.
Counselling Skills Workshop – Develop active listening, empathy, and effective communication skills.
Group Dynamics Training – Learn how groups function, manage conflict, and foster inclusion.
Trauma & Resilience (Level 2) – Learn how trauma affects the brain and body, and how to apply trauma-informed approaches in your work. Build confidence in supporting others’ recovery and resilience while maintaining your own wellbeing.
Perfect for: People supporting others directly in community or organisational settings.
Counselling Skills
Date: 23rd January 2026
Time: 10am - 4pm
An introduction to basic counselling skills training for anyone who wants to build their skills in working with people and improve their professional and personal relations.
This course will cover active listening, empathy, and asking open-ended questions; self-reflection and personal development, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your own values, beliefs, and how they influence interactions with others; the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and boundaries; exploring appropriate times and situations to use basic counselling skills and when to signpost for further support
Trauma & Resilience Level 2
ONLINE : SELF GUIDED
2 hour course on trauma, toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, neuroscience trauma research, building resilience and supporting healing through Trauma Informed Practice.
ASIST: 2 day in person course
Dates: 9th & 10th September 2025
Time: 9am - 5pm
Location: Higher Folds Community Centre
Learn how to provide suicide first aid interventions and reduce the immediate risk of suicide in this two day skills building workshop.
Please subscribe for updates on this training.
Group Dynamics
Date: 20th February 2026
Time: 10am - 4pm
For people who want to build their group facilitation skills, this course covers how groups form, engage, and resist; how to create an environment that emphasises the needs of the group as well as those of the individuals within it; how to support groups to maintain focus, cohesion, and effectiveness; how to coordinate group discussions and manage differing personalities; common challenges and interventions to manage them; managing difficult behaviour within groups and how to foster inclusivity.
Lived Experience, Mentoring & Counselling Skills Training
Turn your personal experience and empathy into a skillset to support others safely.
Who this is for
People with lived experience of mental health, trauma, or recovery who want to use that experience to help others — and anyone who’d like to build stronger communication, listening, and support skills for use in community or voluntary settings.
What you’ll get
Guidance on how to draw from lived experience safely and appropriately
Practical counselling and listening skills to support others with empathy and confidence
Understanding how to maintain clear boundaries and distinguish between mentoring, counselling, and friendship roles
Tools for self-care, reflection, and signposting to ensure safe, sustainable support
Opportunities for continued learning and progression within the mentoring and wellbeing network
Courses include
Lived Experience Mentor (Online Self-Guided) – Learn how to use your story to support others, establish boundaries, and maintain self-care.
Counselling Skills Workshop (In-Person) – Develop active listening, empathy, and communication techniques for use in mentoring or community support.
Peer Mentoring in Practice (Workshop) – Apply what you’ve learned through guided scenarios and reflective practice, building confidence and structure in your mentoring role.
Perfect for: Individuals who want to combine their personal experience with strong interpersonal skills to support others in a safe, structured way.
Lived Experience Mentoring
Becoming a Lived Experience Mentor
Using your own journey to support others safely and effectively
Supporting learners to develop an understanding of a mentoring role and use their own experience to provide helpful strategies for others whilst acknowledging that each experience is unique.
Additionally, learning to provide information, advice, signposting and support networks and helping those that support to develop assertiveness skills to aid in getting the help they need.
COMING SOON
Counselling Skills
Date: 23rd January 2026
Time: 10am - 4pm
An introduction to basic counselling skills training for anyone who wants to build their skills in working with people and improve their professional and personal relations.
This course will cover active listening, empathy, and asking open-ended questions; self-reflection and personal development, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your own values, beliefs, and how they influence interactions with others; the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and boundaries; exploring appropriate times and situations to use basic counselling skills and when to signpost for further support