About Arataki Training

Arataki Training is an independent training business based in Shropshire, delivering high-quality training across health and social care.

Founded by Josh and Stuart, Arataki grew from years of experience working within the sector and delivering training to a wide range of care providers and professionals. Having seen first-hand the impact that knowledgeable, confident and well-supported staff can have, we wanted to build a training business that puts practical learning, professional development and quality care at its heart.

Our aim is simple: to deliver engaging, accessible and effective training that equips people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in their roles. We work to make learning relevant to everyday practice, helping individuals and organisations develop their capabilities and improve outcomes for the people they support.

Whether delivering essential training, supporting professional development or helping organisations strengthen their teams, we believe learning should be meaningful, practical and make a lasting difference.

At Arataki Training, we're passionate about helping people grow, supporting organisations to thrive and raising standards across health and social care.

Why Arataki?

Arataki is a Māori word meaning to lead, guide and show the way.

We chose this name because it reflects our approach to training: equipping people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make a real difference. We believe great training goes beyond sharing information; it inspires growth, builds capability and leads to better outcomes for the people we support.

Meet Josh Lobley

Co-founder and lead trainer

Josh is a dedicated and highly experienced Health and Social Care trainer, bringing nearly 15 years of industry experience, frontline knowledge and leadership expertise to the delivery of high-quality professional training. With a career spanning from direct care in a support worker role, then moving into service management before moving into training and learning & development, Josh combines a strong understanding of the sector with a practical, person-centred approach to learning. His experience enables him to deliver training that goes beyond theoretical knowledge, equipping staff with the confidence, competence and practical skills needed to provide safe, effective and compassionate care.

Throughout his career, Josh has worked in a variety of roles, supporting adults with learning difficulties, autism, complex behavioural needs, acquired brain injuries, mental health needs and dementia. Having progressed from frontline support work into management and training, he understands the realities and challenges faced by care professionals and the importance of translating knowledge into effective everyday practice.

Josh delivers a wide range of training courses, including Basic Life Support, Moving and Handling, Fire Safety and Fire Warden, Positive Behaviour Support, Health and Safety, Medication Awareness, Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and COSHH.

Josh holds qualifications in Health and Social Care, Leadership and Management, and Further Education and Teaching. His combination of sector experience, leadership knowledge and teaching qualifications enables him to create an effective learning environment that promotes professional development, safe working practices and high standards of care.

Josh believes that effective training should be fun, engaging, practical and inclusive. His sessions move beyond traditional presentation-led teaching, encouraging open discussion, group activities, scenario-based learning and the sharing of professional experiences. By creating a supportive and interactive environment, Josh aims to ensure that learners leave with knowledge they can apply confidently in practice, ultimately contributing to better outcomes for the people they support.

Meet Stuart Colthurst

Co-founder and lead trainer

Stuart is an experienced health and social care trainer and qualified teacher who has 15 years' worth of experience working in the sector. During that time Stuart has held several roles, including working directly with a range of needs including autism, learning disability, complex behavioural needs, mental health issues and various conditions relating to dementia symptoms. He is also a qualified Health and Safety Manager and Fire Risk Assessor, having completed extensive training qualifications.

Stuart has a wealth of industry-specific knowledge and his first-hand experience allows him to share his knowledge in a way that resonates with the staff teams he trains.

Stuart is a health and safety and fire expert but also has extensive knowledge in other key mandatory areas such as Safeguarding, MCA/DoLS, Moving and Handling and Basic Life Support.

Stuart holds a degree in English, a PGCE in teaching, a NEBOSH General Certificate and a NEBOSH Fire Certificate.

Stuart firmly believes that training is about engagement and practicality, open discussion and group tasks rather than 'Death by PowerPoint'. Stuart's sessions are lively, supportive and enjoyable.

Get in touch

For enquiries, course information or to discuss your training requirements, please contact us.