My featured image is a flyer designed by my lovely friend Louise Ingham. It is very much a first draft at present but I thought I would use it to illustrate this, my second blog! Thank you so much to everybody for their positive comments for my first, it has been such an encouragement.
As I said, I plan to tell you “about the listening service I offer, who it is suitable for, how I think it can help, why I think it is essential and what qualifies me to be offering it”
I have done many things during the course of my career. Despite telling the career’s advisor ( we got 15 minutes at Grammar School) that the one thing I did not want to do is work in an office, I found myself training to be a Medical Secretary and initially worked for a GP. Then followed 14 years working for Greater Manchester Police; the final seven years I worked for the HOLMES (Home Office Large Major Enquiry System) Team alongside the Major Incident Team. At the onset of a major incident (murders, Strangeways riots, Manchester bombing …) I would head to the police station where the incident room had been set up to compile a computer database, in order to collate all information and apprehend the perpetrators. I was frequently seconded to sensitive enquiries and undercover operations because of the importance I placed on confidentiality.
The thing both these roles had in common was that I came into close proximity with people under pressure and stress whether those suffering illness or, in the case of the police personnel, those who worked incredibly long hours dealing with the most difficult of situations, I was somebody they talked to. In hindsight, I realise that all my life people have confided in me; and I have felt privileged that they have been able to trust me with their innermost thoughts.
I have always been the sort of person though, who has to have a piece of paper to say I can do anything. So, I decided that I would take qualifications to become a counsellor. After 4 years training, alongside my role, during which time I met my husband, married and had my first child I qualified as a person centred counsellor.
I counselled in a General Practice, then at a women’s refuge and then at a charity for young people.
Later I added to these qualifications with post graduate diploma’s in Mentoring and the support of personal development & chaplaincy (more about that another time)
Everyone needs somebody to talk to. In this busy World, in which people dash from this to that listening is a lost art. Loneliness is the 21st century killer! That is why what I offer is essential.
I have set up a ‘listening’ service for the staff at Bolton at Home. For an organisation to offer a service like this for their staff helps with retention, attendance, productivity, engagement and staff well being. For staff it is an opportunity to open up and re-frame thoughts and be really listened to in a therapeutic space. I love this role and I would love to offer this service to other organisations.
However, I also offer a one to one listening service for those in positions of leadership, senior roles, business owners … not as a business coach, but as a bespoke personal service. These roles can be the loneliest of all; not appropriate to share concerns, worries or personal matters with staff and not wishing to take things home …. either because they don’t want to worry family or because they want to leave work at work, or perhaps the concerns are not work related but are affecting their work, health or well being.
So, if you know an organisation that wants to offer a service like this…. Or, if you are a leader, CEO or in a stressful role and need to offload, someone to listen with attention and non-judgement …. get in touch. Nothing gives me more pleasure than helping people achieve their full potential. I know I can help … I have 20 years experience! Thank you for reading …
Next time I am going to tell you a little about mindfulness …