I Matter FAQ

Learning I Matter helps equip you with a some strong foundations to improve relationship health.  Think of it as learning a map.  It doesn't fix problems for you - it shows you how to make sense of what you are setting.
When you understand more you can help yourself and help your children and family members more easily.  It makes it easier to work with others when you get some shared ideas that help you think together.

Please see our Finding a Group pages for search tips, program information and a list of suggested I Matter Study Support program providers to kickstart your search.

The I Matter Framework Fundamentals offers a practical, interesting explanation of the research on what helps adults and children to thrive with a focus on the overlooked issue of relationship health.  In the first stages of the program people choose a focus issue of current wellbeing that they want to learn more about or address. They then learn the core ideas 'Learn I Matter' and they then learn how to apply the ideas to their personal area of focus 'Living I Matter'.   The programme combines online learning with discussion with a trained facilitator and can be offered 1:1 or in small groups.

As an organisation I Matter Training currently offers a very limited range of groups.  These are offered largely to people in the Kendal area.  Our main business is to create and evaluate the I MatterLearning Journey and to train professionals to facilitate study support groups for a range of special interests and applications. 

The programs are typically offered. via 6-8 75min sessions, either in-person or live online, supported by accredited I Matter facilitators to small groups between 3-15). The specific delivery method is subject to the program provider. Some providers also offer the program via 6-8 1-hour 1-1 sessions.  Check with individual providers for more details on their method of delivery.

The delivery method is subject to each program provider. The are providers who offer 1-1 sessions both in-person and via tele-health online sessions. If you’re unsure about attending a group or one-to-one delivery, talk to a provider near you who can explain their own methods of delivery in more detail.

The cost of an I Matter programme varies depending on who delivers the sessions. Some organisations have funded options anc can provide the programs free of charge, some charge a small fee and some facilitators charge a larger fee. Many providers are able to offer a discount if you inquire. You may also be able to talk to your GP about accessing funding to attend a program.   Please check local provider details.

We offer professional facilitator training suitable for anyone who works with adults and young people and with parents and carers in a professional capacity, particularly in family and community services, child protection, foster/kinship care, health, mental health and education sectors. 
If you are interested in becoming a I Matter Study Suppport facilitator, please see our Potential Facilitator FAQ 

Yes, it is possible to take the first programmes as self-help and without study support.  However this isn't the best way to learn as a lot of benefit emerges through the discussion either with a facilitator or with a group.  Self-help is a good way to get started, but it is not possible to progress beyond the Fundamentals without joining certified study support (usually a minimum of 6 live sessions)

These two areas of practice are quite different, though sometimes the distinctions can be a bit blurred.  Broadly speaking for preparation and prevention learning there are no current concerns.  Whereas for additional needs there is some complexity which requires some more careful preparation steps to check the programme and the support options are a good fit.  Facilitators are trained to ensure that participants are helped to access a programme that is a correct fit for them. 

Everyone knows there is a problem when it comes to thinking about child and adult wellbeing.  However what can we do about it?  Perhaps we have been missing something big?   Learning I Matter and about relationship health gives you a practical way of understanding what the research evidence is saying about the way forward.  An understanding of relationship health will change the way you see challenges for your clients.

Please see our Finding a Group pages for search tips, program information and a list of suggested I Matter Study Support program providers to kickstart your search.

The I Matter Framework Fundamentals offers a practical, interesting explanation of the research on what helps adults and children to thrive with a focus on the overlooked issue of relationship health.  In the first stages of the program people choose a focus issue of current wellbeing that they want to learn more about or address. They then learn the core ideas 'Learn I Matter' and they then learn how to apply the ideas to their personal area of focus 'Living I Matter'.   The programme combines online learning with discussion with a trained facilitator and can be offered 1:1 or in small groups.

As an organisation I Matter Training currently offers a very limited range of groups.  These are offered largely to people in the Kendal area.  Our main business is to create and evaluate the I MatterLearning Journey and to train professionals to facilitate study support groups for a range of special interests and applications. 

The programs are typically offered. via 6-8 75min sessions, either in-person or live online, supported by accredited I Matter facilitators to small groups between 3-15). The specific delivery method is subject to the program provider. Some providers also offer the program via 6-8 1-hour 1-1 sessions.  Check with individual providers for more details on their method of delivery.

The delivery method is subject to each program provider. The are providers who offer 1-1 sessions both in-person and via tele-health online sessions. If you’re unsure about attending a group or one-to-one delivery, talk to a provider near you who can explain their own methods of delivery in more detail.

The cost of an I Matter programme varies depending on who delivers the sessions. Some organisations have funded options anc can provide the programs free of charge, some charge a small fee and some facilitators charge a larger fee. Many providers are able to offer a discount if you inquire. You may also be able to talk to your GP about accessing funding to attend a program.   Please check local provider details.

We offer professional facilitator training suitable for anyone who works with adults and young people and with parents and carers in a professional capacity, particularly in family and community services, child protection, foster/kinship care, health, mental health and education sectors. 
If you are interested in becoming a I Matter Study Suppport facilitator, please see our Potential Facilitator FAQ 

Yes, it is possible to take the first programmes as self-help and without study support.  However this isn't the best way to learn as a lot of benefit emerges through the discussion either with a facilitator or with a group.  Self-help is a good way to get started, but it is not possible to progress beyond the Fundamentals without joining certified study support (usually a minimum of 6 live sessions)

These two areas of practice are quite different, though sometimes the distinctions can be a bit blurred.  Broadly speaking for preparation and prevention learning there are no current concerns.  Whereas for additional needs there is some complexity which requires some more careful preparation steps to check the programme and the support options are a good fit.  Facilitators are trained to ensure that participants are helped to access a programme that is a correct fit for them. 

How many times have you been in a consultation with a client or with a parent or carer when you can hear that they are not understanding something important about their own role, but you are not sure how to address this?  Perhaps because you feel you don't have time, or because the issues seem too sensitive?   One of the great benefits of training to be a facilitator is you gain some powerful and practical methods of helping your clients and parents and carers progress their understanding.

By taking time to help build core understandings, clients and parents and carers are able to engage more as effective partners in care.

To become an I Matter Facilitator requires that you have qualifications and experience of working with a specified interest group that you feel would benefit from learning the I Matter Framework.  You will need to complete the I Matter Framework Fundamentals and can then express an interest in the Deep Dive programme making clear you are also interested in becoming certified.  You will need to provide references and evidence of organisation support. 

What you can do as a Trainee will depend on the agreement that we set up with you and on the organisation you work for.  Some Trainees work in a service that charges families for services.   In this situation, you can identify families on your own case load, who would benefit.  Some Trainees work in a service that provides funded services for families.  In this case your organisation will need to have an agreed license to offer funded accounts.

Co-facilitating a group is a great learning opportunity. However co-facilitators should have completed the I Matter online Fundamentals before helping to run a Fundamentals group.  They will ideally be recognised as a Link professional.  Joining a Getting Started workshop can be a good way to get started.   Please note: we recommend that you do not lead or deliver any of the key content to the group until you have been accepted as a Lead Trainee. You can, however, assist in observing the group dynamic, discussing the activities and generally acting as another personal resource in the group setting when it comes to sharing experiences 

No. Our program course notes are available to participants only.   The full course notes are offered to those who progress to I Matter Deep Dive Training.   Our facilitator resources are only available to licensed trainees.

Please contact us via the contact page.  That way there is a trail of our communication with you.

No. We have a wonderful team here in Kendal PCN, who are the only team authorised and qualified to train other professionals in our suite of programs.

What you charge for your services will depend on the nature of the organisation you are in.  Some organisations have a license which means the training can be offered free.  Some need to charge a little, and some charge a larger amount.  There is also a decision about group or 1:1 support.  If you are accepted as a Trainee, you will have a license that sets out the terms of our agreement with you.

We offer professional facilitator training to professionals who work with adults and young people and with parents and carers particularly in family and community services, child protection, foster/kinship care, health, mental health and education sectors. 
If you are interested in becoming an I Matter Study Suppport facilitator, please see our Potential Facilitator FAQ. 
You should complete the I Matter Framework Fundamentals and be ready to join the I Matter Deep.  You will need to submit an expression of interest in becoming a study supporter, giving details of your personal interests.

We see relationship health as a philosophy as well as being a psychoeducational intervention.   Because this issue has been overlooked, it is vitally important for safe practice, for any practitioner to be supported by informed senior leadership, simply due to the need for a good understanding of things such as safeguarding, readiness for change, effective referral patterns etc.    Organisations can help fund training for their own staff and families.  They can embark on an organisation development path but embedding new thinking takes a commitment over several years.

This is an important distintion.  Preparation-prevention courses are generally run in the context of younger children or new professional roles where there is no concern or complexity.   Whereas for additional needs there is some complexity which requires some more careful preparation steps to check the programme and the support options are a good fit.  Facilitators are trained to ensure that participants are helped to access a programme that is a correct fit for them.