DSC Associate Trainer Q&A - Kimberley Durrance

What’s one practical tip you wish every charity knew about your subject?

Don’t wait for someone to tell you what they need. Look at the systems and environment around them and ask yourself what could be made clearer, easier or more accessible. Small changes can make a huge difference.

What do you enjoy most about training people in the charity sector?

I really enjoy training people in the charity sector because they have so much compassion and a genuine desire to make things better for others. They want to improve lives, advocate for people and create positive change.

That means when people attend my training, I know they’re not just learning for themselves. They’re going to take that knowledge back into their organisations and use it to support the people they work with. I love knowing that something I’ve taught could have a lasting impact and ultimately make a real difference to someone’s life.

What can someone expect when they attend one of your sessions?

They can expect an interactive, supportive and practical session. I don’t want people to simply sit and listen to me talk for hours, I want them to be involved, ask questions, share experiences and have opportunities to reflect on how the learning relates to their own work.

I also bring a lot of my own lived experience into my training, which I think helps make the subject relatable and real. My aim is for people to leave with a better understanding of the subject, but also with practical things they can actually take away and use.

What is your favourite course to deliver?

I have two favourites: Understanding and Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Supporting Neurodivergent Children and Young People to Thrive.

I love delivering these courses because neurodivergence is something that people really need to understand better. Sometimes people are struggling far more than we realise, and without understanding, it can be easy to misinterpret what we see. People can end up feeling like they just have to struggle on when what they actually need is the right support.

For me, better understanding creates better support. When we understand neurodivergence, we can make small changes, remove barriers and help people thrive rather than expecting them to simply struggle on.

But I also want people to recognise the value of neurodivergent thinking and talent. Often, the focus is on the difficulties or the things someone might struggle with, but neurodivergent people can also bring different perspectives, different ways of approaching problems and different ways of seeing the world. Sometimes those different ways of thinking can be exactly what a team, organisation or community needs.

For me, the real value of these courses is helping people understand both sides, recognising when someone is struggling and needs support, while also recognising their strengths, talents and the value they can bring.

What is your top tip for continued learning and development?

Be the change you want to see. If there’s something you think could be better, don’t just complain about it, learn about it, understand it and think about what you can do differently.

I believe learning and development never really stops. We should always be looking for opportunities to improve our knowledge and our practice. And when you choose to learn about something that genuinely interests you, learning can be a real joy.

The other thing I love about learning is that skills and knowledge are often transferable. Something you learn in one area can completely change how you approach another, so I think it’s always worth staying curious and open to learning.

Find out more about Kimberley and their upcoming courses here.