A community activist has organised a training workshop this week aimed at giving coaches, teachers and neighbours the tools to help people in crisis.Gina Spence said through talks with community members she learnt many were interested in helping those affected by the recent spate of violence, but were unsure of exactly what to do or not do during the sensitive time.As a result, she organised a two-day training workshop entitled “Assisting Individuals in Crisis”, to take place on Friday and Saturday.The empowering sessions have already been “very well received”, she said; and will be taught by Doris Decosta, a certified trainer with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.“With the increase of gun violence and antisocial behaviour in our community and it has had a devastating impact on our children, families and community.“This programme is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of and a specific protocol for individual crisis intervention,” Ms Spence said.She said this would be the first level or foundation training, however there are two other levels people can take if they choose to be trained further.According to Mrs Decosta, sometimes there are barriers that prevent people in crisis from getting traditional means of help, either due to trust issues or the cost.She said they thought it best to reach out to people in the community and teach them how to assist people in crisis on a one-on-one basis.The workshop will teach attendees crisis communication techniques and explain the different psycological reactions to trauma.Each participant will leave with a list of helping services, both community and professional, so they know where to refer people for support Islandwide.Ms Spence said: “What we are hoping to do once we get at least 25 people trained is to work with the hospital and the police because they just do not have enough staff.“If there is a situation at the hospital they can call us and we can be that extended group that goes in and talks to the family and helps them with the process.”According to Ms Spence a similar team made up of hospital staff, police, community members and crisis counsellors was set up last year to help grieving families.The group stayed together and will be passing on their skills to community members, particularly those who regularly come in contact with people in crisis: such as football coaches, teachers and guidance counsellors.Ms Spence said the workshops have been welcomed by emergency services and police. She also said she hoped they could be offered to more people in the future.They will take place on both days from 8.30am to 4.30pm at Charities House on Point Finger Road in Paget. To reserve a space call 333-4292.