Launching Cultural Competency Training at Tulia

On March 6th, 2025, we officially kicked off our first-ever Cultural Competency Training at Tulia via Zoom With 124 carers actively engaging, – and what an incredible session it was! This training, held in collaboration with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and with support from our stakeholders , is designed especially for migrant carers, displaced workers, and staff on health and social care visas. Our goal with this training is to help international staff settle in, feel confident, and navigate the UK workplace like pros. Because when we understand each other better, work becomes smoother, teamwork gets stronger, and patient care reaches a whole new level!

In the first session our amazing speaker, Rumbidzai Bvunzawabaya, took us on a deep dive into the Values & Principles of the UK—a key foundation for working in healthcare and elderly care. Here’s what we covered:

• British Values: Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Respect, and Tolerance – what they really mean in everyday life.                                                                                                                                                                              

• The Do’s & Don’ts of British Etiquette: Saying please and thank you, the art of queuing, making small talk without overstepping.                                                                                                                                                                                       

•  How This All Applies to Healthcare: Respecting personal space, addressing clients correctly ("Mr/Mrs"), and understanding different communication styles.                                                                                                                              

• Avoiding Common Misunderstandings: Direct vs. indirect communication – knowing when to say things straight and when to soften the approach.                                                                                                                                       

• Real-Life Scenarios: We role-played common workplace interactions, making it fun and engaging!

We had an amazing turnout of participants from Compassionate Healthcare, Aroma Care, Camino Healthcare, and so many more! Many participants reflected on the cultural challenges they had faced and discussed how learning about British customs would improve their interactions in the workplace.

Some standout moments:                                                                                                                                                                “It was weird at first being called ‘love’ or ‘darling’ by strangers, but now I get it’s just part of British culture!”                                              “I used to think saying ‘sorry’ was an apology, but now I realize it’s just a polite reflex!”                                               “Learning to navigate different communication styles will definitely help me at work.”

This isn’t just about learning British customs – it’s about bridging cultures, making workplaces more inclusive, and ensuring international carers feel at home and are able to walk away feeling more confident, informed, and ready to tackle their roles with a fresh perspective!

We are excited to continue this journey with our upcoming sessions:                                                                                    

•  Session 2 – 18 March 2025

•  Session 3 – 3 April 2025

•  Session 4 – 29 April 2025

Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of completion, recognising their commitment to cultural competency and professional growth.

Stay tuned for the next sessions and join us in building a more inclusive and understanding workplace!