A communications coach has kick-started a course to help people take the sting out of home and workplace conflicts.
The nine-week Transforming Communication course is run by communications coach Barbara Jaques and deals with conflict resolution and rapport building for everyone from spouses, young adults, co-workers and staff.
Ms Jaques has been running communications courses in Whangarei for six years and said that while most people are effective communicators, many are not confident dealing with challenging situations that push buttons at work or at home.
She said the course was even more important in Northland where the region features highly in the youth suicide statistics.
"Knowing how to listen well could be a life-changer for someone," she said.