Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Facilitators Course

Older men sitting around a table talking - Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Facilitator Training Course

Dementia

Course No. 1025

£ (Open courses start at £45.00 ex. VAT per learner)

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Online - Zoom 3 hour(s)

Face to Face - 6 hour(s)

Certificate of Attendance

Available Funding:

Self Funded

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Download CST - CQC Five Key Questions

Course Outline

It is a sad truth that much of the decline experienced by people living with dementia is not caused directly by the physical effects of the condition. Cast your mind back to the days of Covid, and you may remember the distressing images of a lady in a care home. Before the pandemic, she was bright, alert, and smiling. Just nine months later, she was unrecognisable – withdrawn, silent, unkempt and carrying a sadness so deep it brought tears to the eyes.

This lady did not have Covid. Her decline was the result of a lack of stimulation, caused by lockdown restrictions and the immense pressure on care home staff. Families and friends could not visit. Activities from outside were stopped. Life for residents and staff alike became quieter, lonelier, and harder.

Even now, with the pandemic behind us, many people in care homes still face isolation. How many residents sit around the edges of the lounge, or in their bedroom, staring blankly at the television? Without regular, meaningful engagement, people can lose their spark, their confidence, and even their will to communicate.

The good news is that staff can make a difference – one that transforms lives. Humans are naturally sociable; we thrive on contact, conversation, and connection. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to bring people back to life – when it is delivered with understanding, energy, and warmth.

Please take a moment to read the blog below – written by our CEO, Caroline Coleman, describing her personal experience facilitating a CST group in a care home. It is a heart-warming, real-life account of what happens when residents are given the right kind of stimulation and social interaction. The transformation she witnessed was extraordinary. When the local authority observed a session, they said, “Every care home in the country should be delivering CST as a matter of course.” We couldn’t agree more.

What is CST?

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based intervention for people living with dementia, recommended by NICE. It was developed by Dr. Aimee Spector, Ph.D., alongside dementia specialists including Professor Martin Orrell, building on a Cochrane review of psychological interventions for people with dementia.

Our Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Facilitators Course, delivered by our highly experienced dementia trainers, will give learners the knowledge and skills to run CST group activities that enhance communication, improve cognitive ability, and promote genuine social engagement. The course is suitable for anyone supporting people in the early to mid-stages of dementia – whether they are new residents or long-term members of your care community.

View all Dementia Training Courses

Bringing People Back to Life

My CST Experience, by Caroline Coleman

When you walk into many care home lounges, you’ll often see the same scene: residents sitting quietly around the edges of the room, eyes fixed on the television, the occasional murmur breaking the stillness. It’s not that people don’t care - staff are working hard, often under immense pressure, but the truth is, without meaningful connection and mental stimulation, people can begin to fade.

I saw this first-hand when I began facilitating a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group in a local care home. I wasn’t sure what to expect – just a hope that it might make a difference. What happened over the following weeks was nothing short of remarkable. I watched people who had once been withdrawn begin to smile again, share stories, sing at the top of their voices and connect with those around them. It wasn’t magic—it was CST, done with care, consistency, and heart.

This blog is my story of that journey, the challenges, the laughter, and the moments that took my breath away. Most importantly, it’s proof that with the right approach, we can help people living with dementia rediscover joy, confidence, and purpose.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

Understand the principles behind CST—and how it differs from other activities.
Recognise the proven benefits of CST, which research shows can achieve similar results to drug treatments for dementia, without the side effects.
Appreciate the research in a practical, non-technical way, so you can explain why it works.
Confidently structure and facilitate CST sessions.
Respond appropriately to challenges during a session.
Document and evidence outcomes, tracking how group members’ confidence and engagement grow over time.

Our CST Facilitators Course is fully aligned with NICE Guidelines and the Dementia Training Standards Framework. More than just training, this is an opportunity to help people living with dementia rediscover joy, connection, and purpose in their daily lives.

Outcome:
Staff leave the CST Facilitators Course confident and equipped to make a visible difference, helping people living with dementia rediscover joy, purpose, and social connection, while providing clear CQC-aligned evidence of safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led practice.

What is dementia
Examining the science behind CST
8 key principles of CST
Putting a group together
Structuring a session
Trouble shooting
Documentation

Participants will discover how to:

Select suitable group members, ensuring the group size is right and participants are well-matched.
Plan and deliver sessions that are enjoyable, inclusive, and tailored to the group’s preferences, while staying true to the CST framework.
Record meaningful outcomes, capturing engagement levels, challenges, progress, and achievements – to share with families and include in CQC evidence. You can download this at the top of the page.
Respond effectively when things don’t go to plan.
Build confidence to lead groups that make a visible, measurable difference.

You’ll also take part in lively simulated CST sessions, so you leave ready to put your learning into action the very next day.

What is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and why is it recommended for individuals with mild to moderate dementia?
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a proven, simple, and effective therapy recommended by NICE for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. It is designed to improve communication in dementia by providing a meaningful group activity that helps combat isolation and communication difficulties. The therapy aims to re-engage individuals with dementia, allowing them to enjoy life and experience improvements in cognitive abilities.

How does CST contribute to easing the transition to life in a residential home for individuals with dementia?
CST encourages the formation of friendship groups, fostering social connections and making the transition to life in a residential home smoother for individuals with dementia. The therapy aims to create a supportive environment, combating isolation and helping residents build meaningful relationships within their new living situation.

What clinical evidence supports the use of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, and how does it compare to drug therapies?
Clinical evidence suggests that individuals receiving Cognitive Stimulation Therapy may experience improved cognitive abilities. These improvements are comparable to those seen with drug therapies, but CST offers these benefits without the potential side effects associated with medications. The therapy has been shown to enhance social skills and overall wellbeing among group members.

What can delegates expect to learn and experience during the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Facilitators Course?
delegates will learn how to select suitable members for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy group. The course includes hands-on experience, with each attendee having the opportunity to facilitate a simulated CST session. This interactive approach allows delegates to understand both the facilitator’s and group member’s perspectives. The sessions are designed to be lively experiences, filled with fun and laughter. Additionally, delegates will become familiar with the documentation used to record session outcomes.

What skills and confidence will delegates gain by the end of the CST course, and what is the final practical component of the training?
By the end of the CST course, delegates will have gained the skills and confidence needed to initiate and lead their first Cognitive Stimulation Therapy group. The final practical component involves attendees facilitating a simulated CST session, allowing them to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a hands-on setting. This practical experience reinforces the understanding of the therapy’s dynamics and prepares participants to implement CST effectively in a real-world setting.

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