For many years the University of Birmingham’s Raymond Priestley Centre in Coniston in the Lake District has aimed to develop transferable skills (such as teamwork) in students to help them at University and in employment.
The DTP holds an annual residential week at the Centre for the new cohort. The intended outcomes of the week are:
- To give experiences of – and to practise – working as a larger group in preparation for life in the workplace (as many MRC students work in isolation or in very small teams).
- To build on the sense that the new PGRs form a cohort and to improve links within the network of the MRC DTP.
- To discuss tips and tricks for dealing with difficult conversations and relationships.
- To spend time thinking about observation and listening skills. We broach this subject to form common bonds and support amongst the cohort and to give strategies and formal advice on dealing with difficult relationships.
- To give respite from intense working and strategies for good mental health habits.
Here are excerpts from the feedback of members of the 2025 MRC AIM cohort who attended the residential last year.
I had the best time ever. If anyone gets the opportunity they should definitely take it. Beautiful surroundings, lots of fun activities, really fantastic instructors and amazing food!
I expected to disconnect and relax, however, I learned so much more about myself and team building. Putting the group’s needs above my own and prioritising group outcomes was something I wasn’t expecting.
Instructional delivery was fantastic. Instructors were very fun to work with, and were all clearly very passionate about the centre and why we were attending. Not only did they make the activities feel extremely fun and accessible, they really encouraged us to reflect on what we were going to take away from the experience.
I don’t think the questionnaire does justice to tell you how much the whole cohort enjoyed our week. I don’t think anyone wanted to leave.