Nuns with the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor are putting their faith in distance learning with Newcastle College.

The sisters are taking a Certificate in Basic Counseling Skills in order to conform with new Government regulations regarding care of the elderly.

It is aimed at giving managers the confidence to deal more effectively with employee issues.

The four sisters embarking on the course have recently complete a Diploma in Business Coaching with the college and believe the knowledge they are gaining is helping to provide a better quality of care for the 500 elderly people they look after in homes across the UK and Ireland.

Regional manager, Sister Kathleen Taylor, said: "The new Government regulations mean we must look closely at how we operate and ensure that we are communicating with and motivating our staff.

"The aim of the course is to develop our self awareness, improve relationship building and enhance personal effectiveness."

The free course doesn't qualify students to work as counsellors, but is designed to help mangers build on existing coaching skills and communication techniques. The distance learning course requires three hours of study a week over a maximum nine month period.

Newcastle College's Distance Learning Unit is a leading provider of high calibre, flexible work-based learning programmes in the UK.

Courses include business and education related diplomas in performance coaching, sports psychology, business excellence and modern management.