South Downs National Park Case Study – Learner Impact

Vicky Paterson, HR Manager

“We’ve had a very good response from staff. I think staff like that personal journey. I think they, a lot of people said how insightful they found it. So, you know, looks at people’s drivers and I think people found it really interesting.”

Jess Stone, Facilities Assistant

“My results kind of highlighted that I can over empathise with people. It highlighted that my empathetic nature might also have an effect on my own well-being because I seem to burden myself with other people’s mental loads.”

Jeff Travis, Media & Public Relations Officer

“I’ve been definitely more aware of speaking to people I don’t always talk to, just saying hello to them, asking how people are. You know, there’s a lot of introverts in our organisation and sometimes, you know, you don’t speak to them as much perhaps as you do some of the extroverts.”

Jess Stone, Facilities Assistant

“You know, I’m someone that has struggled with mental health issues so I can kind of understand what it feels like to be excluded. So, you know, I’ve always been very aware to try and not do the same thing to others.”

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“I’m not afraid to admit one of the good things is people said they found me listening a bit more, which is quite right. I always listened, but perhaps with an eye to where I wanted or thought we should get to rather than, ah, well, that might be an alternative way. So people have commented that they feel I’m genuinely listening more and that’s a real positive outcome.”

Ruther James, Head of Communications & Engagement

“I think the other thing it’s made me do is be a lot more open about my own circumstances. So I’ve just recently been diagnosed as having ADHD, so I’m neurodiverse, so I’ve been a lot more open about that. And since then I’ve had two or three colleagues come up to me and say I think I’m also neurodivergent and it really helps them, when I’m a lot more open that I find things like paperwork and minute and all that difficult. So I think it’s made me realise that actually being a little bit more vulnerable and personal myself has allowed others to feel that way and that it’s okay to talk about things like that at work.”

Jeff Travis, Media & Public Relations Officer

“It’s given me the confidence to share my own neurodiversity with my team and explain that. And you know, there’s certain situations where I perhaps feel a bit uncomfortable.”

Vicky Paterson, HR Manager

I think it’s this feeling that you’re not going to be questioned or challenged or criticised for how you are as a person.

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“It’s really been brought home to me. This system has helped say, well people have different approaches to that and they’re all valid. How can we accommodate those?”

Jeff Travis, Media & Public Relations Officer

“I just thought it was a really good experience, and I’d like to do more.”

Jess Stone, Facilities Assistant

I’ve really enjoyed it, learned a lot.

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“Learnt a lot.”