A 2 hour de-escalation workshop for small or large groups, with an
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emphasis on compassion and dignity for all involved. 

Tell me more

This workshop is built to address situations where, much like any street vendor, escape is not a clear option. Its aim is to honour all parties involved in the situation, and practice how to best manage both yourself, and the person in crisis. While it is based in a street community experience, these techniques are useful in so many areas of our lives. Created for groups large and small. Everyone who attends will be given a wallet card with the techniques and helpful phrases, including a QR code for local agencies and groups that support street, and mental health.
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It is a 2 hour workshop that can be a small group or larger audience. It's run by myself, and a volunteer. 
I have done this for Theatre Passe Muraille, Public Energy and the Theatre On King (Peterborough & Toronto)​

photos by Nika Belianina

About the instructor

Charlie Petch (They/He) is a former teenage late night hot dog vendor who worked at Dundas and Yonge in Downtown Toronto, and then later night at Church and Gerrard. This taught Charlie a lot about how to de-escalate people. He later became a 911 operator for ambulance,  then moved into hospital work in emergency and bed alocation, as a PSW for Long-term care, and a bartender and busser for Toronto nightclubs. He recently became a certified de-escalation instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute. They still credit Hot Dog Vending in the 90's as the best teacher of de-escalation.

Petch is also a performing artist who has created a play "No one's special at the hot dog stand" which is touring Canada. This workshop came out of this show. They regularly teach workshops in spoken word and performance all over Turtle Island. You can find out more about his work at www.charliecpetch.com​

Testimonials
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Shanae Sodhi, artistic producer, former outreach worker, activist

"Charlie brings a wealth of experience that interconnects with so many important dynamics of teaching de-escalation work. From mental health first aid to crisis management to natural teaching skills, he holds a very unique set of experiences that made the workshop participants put their trust and honest questions in his wise hands. Charlie did a great job of answering the questions of the cohort and setting realistic standards for what community members can do to support one another and rehumanize and re-empower eachother. Since the workshop, I have spoken with many participants in my neighborhood. We often use the tactics he provided and many of us still dutifully carry around the de-escalation tactic cards he gave out as a clear reminder in a pinch. The workshop was one of the highest attended at TPM. With participants coming from diverse backgrounds with the unifying need and commitment to find better ways to support one another."

Jessica Westhead, writer, mother, activist

​"I learned so much at the de-escalation workshop that Charlie Petch generously offered in connection with their giant-hearted one-person play “No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart” at Theatre Passe Muraille in early 2024. Centring compassion and respect for others and ourselves, Charlie shared practical, empowering, and reassuring de-escalation techniques and strategies collected from their own experiences as a 911 operator, hospital bed allocator, emergency room clerk, and street worker. These are vital skills for a kinder world, presented by Charlie with thoughtfulness and deep care. I can’t recommend this workshop highly enough.”