GENDER EQUALITY DUTY & TRANSEXUAL PEOPLE

Letter of Commendation from Nottingham City Council

12 July 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

Persia West is a communicator and educator/trainer par excellence.

Persia's ability to communicate complex issues in plain English is evidenced by the rapport she creates with participants. Persia establishes a rapport with participants, which is respectful, sensitive to participants needs and very affable. The rapport Persia brings into existence enables participants to inquire with ease and security of person.

As an educator/trainer, Persia is able to translate very complex issues into a very practical and exciting training experience. Persia's knowledge base is very sound and solidly supported by current research and situated within up-to-date legal framework. Various training methods of engaging participants are utilised by Persia in her training sessions. Persia possesses a quality which brings her training session alive for participants: passion.

I have commissioned Persia, on behalf of Nottingham City Council's Social Services Training and Development, to deliver part of its Equality and Diversity Training Programme (2005-2006), which is grounded in the City Council's "Equality and Diversity Policy". The feedback from participants has been tremendous in response to the "Understanding Transsexuality and Gender Diversity" training course. Participants evaluations of Persia's training was unprecedented: "The best course ever put on by Nottingham City Council"; "The best course I have ever been on as a qualified social worker for ten years"; "This course should be mandatory"; "The course was excellent and the trainer was fantastic".

I have no hesitation whatsoever in giving Persia West my highest recommendation to anyone who requires the highest standards in the delivery of practical training dealing with Equality and Diversity.

Patrick Crawley MA
Training and Development Officer, Adult Social Care
Nottingham City Council
Tel (0115) 9157107