Situations when SAGE & THYME may be helpful
SAGE & THYME training teaches every day skills for everyone.
Nurse on a ward with an older man
He’s agitated, restless, trying to phone his daughter.
“What is it David? What’s the matter?”
“Nobody is listening to me. They just walk past. I can’t stay in here another night. I’ll go mad.”
“I hear you David, nobody listening, can’t stay another night, worried you’ll go mad. Let me hand over these keys to Sister and I will sit down and listen only to you.”
Health visitor with a mother of two children in her own home
“I’m not coping here. I’m simply not coping.”
“Shall we ask your husband to have the children in the other room for a few minutes?" - "Do you want to just tell me what’s worrying you?”
Midwife at antenatal clinic with a woman who has twice miscarried previously
“How are you feeling today Rachael?”
“Apprehensive, like something terrible is about to happen.”
“Once I’ve finished these checks. We can have a talk if you like?”
Practice nurse in a clinic with a patient for a check-up
“You seem really worried Mrs Evans. Do you want to tell me what’s worrying you?”
Patient talking to a healthcare assistant
“I can see you’re very busy.”
“I’m busy yes and I also have time for you if you would like?”
Patient cries. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Maybe start by telling me what’s upsetting you?”
Relative at the nurses station talking to the ward administrator
“Do you think that I could speak with someone please? I’m so worried about my parents”.
Colleague gets upset as she hands over the care to a colleague
“I’m sorry I got upset then. It doesn’t normally affect me like this”
“Don’t apologise...would it be helpful if we took a few minutes and let you talk before you go home upset?”
“Would you mind?”
“Not at all. Let’s go in here" - "Tell me. What’s upsetting you?”
Physiotherapist on a ward with a woman with severe lung disease
“I feel as though I try my hardest and I’m making no progress. It’s demoralising. I feel useless. I feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time.”
“Maybe the most useful thing for me to do today is to let you tell me everything that’s going on in your mind?”
Dietitian with a 25-year-old female patient
“I can’t help but notice that you are a bit quiet today.”
“I’m so sorry. I just feel as though I’m letting everyone down”
“Shall I pull up a chair?” - “You just tell me what’s going on in your mind and I will just listen.”
Doctor in an intensive care unit with a man recently taken off intubation
“You ok Zain?”
“No”
“What is it Zain?”
“I’m scared”
“How about I finish what I’m doing, I pull the curtains and you tell me about why you feel scared and anything else you’re worried about?”
“Please”
Student with a patient waiting for an operation
“Have you had an operation before?”
“Yes but I was so ill afterwards. I feel a bit panicky to be honest.”
“You can talk to me about your worries if you like. I don’t have many answers but I’m good at listening.”
Volunteer in a hospice café
“Here’s your tea. You look really low.”
“Thank you for the tea. That’s kind of you.
"I am low. I just wish I could do more to help.”
“As we’re quiet, I could sit over in the corner with you for a few minutes. You can share those thoughts if you like.
“Would you like that?”
“I think I would actually.”