To bring evidence-based skills (the secrets of listening and responding) into everyday practice for everyone in health and social care. 

SAGE & THYME was co-created by both healthcare professionals and patients to ensure the training is grounded in real experience.

It meets the needs of both staff and those they care for.

• Healthcare professionals brought their knowledge of communication in busy clinical settings. 
• Patients contributed their lived experience of what matters when they feel worried, distressed, or vulnerable.

This collaboration ensures the SAGE & THYME training is:

Clinically relevant – aligned with everyday practice and time pressures.

Patient-centred– focused on listening, empathy, and emotional support.

Trusted and effective – reflecting real conversations, not just theory.

The result is a communication skills programme that helps staff respond with confidence and compassion—improving patient care and supporting staff wellbeing.

The workshop was inspired by:

• The NICE Guidance in psychological support
• The published research in communications skills

It is different from advanced communication skills training which is designed for specialists (e.g. clinical nurse specialists, consultants).

SAGE & THYME training is the foundation training that everyone needs (including specialists).

In order to train many thousands of people, the workshop designers chose a short workshop (three hours), restricted the content (to just foundation level skills) and included 30 learners per workshop.

SAGE & THYME training was originally developed by University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM).  

UHSM merged with Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 1 October 2017 to form Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.