AVP Britain > what people say: AVP works

'I think when the course finishes people will find they have a different outlook on life. Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself.'

'I can heartily recommend AVP to everyone. The courses are excellent value.'

AVP workshop participants

Over 90% of AVP participants rate their workshop 'good' or 'excellent'*.  Participants commonly say they learn new skills, understand conflict better, begin to respect themselves more and improve how they communicate with people.  Here are a few of their comments:

'I didn't expect it to be what it was. I thought it would be like three days in college. But I was really thankful that I did it because it was the best three days I have had in the last ten years. I really enjoyed it.  It was like everybody had a bond. We was all talking, really communicating. I've never experienced anything like it before.'

'I came to the workshop thinking that other people were the violent ones and I was one of the peaceful ones.  AVP helped me to realise that life isn't divided up like that; we are all just people.'

'I built a defensive wall around myself, but AVP showed me that I can talk to someone, that it is really alright to let my feelings out and show people how I really feel.'

'If there is such a thing as a miraculous change, then I can truthfully say that it was through AVP that I began to grow from a person filled with hate, anger and despair into a person who believes that he too is responsible for the protection, enrichment and preservation of humanity.'

'After the course I can walk away from someone who wants me to do something that I don't want to do. I can talk to them adult to adult, and take my own power.'

'The AVP course I attended can only be described as a really wonderful experience. I feel I have started a new phase of my life, with a fuller understanding of my own and others' needs.'

'Through the programme I learned communication with my family and friends I never thought existed... I learned trust again.'

'Friends asked me why I attended an AVP workshop, since I didn't seem like a violent person. A lot of violence I carry is directed towards myself in the form of self-criticism. AVP is helping me see that and is helping me change.'

* [Satisfaction rates from a survey of 203 participants, 2006-07]