Testimonials
I have both known personally and worked closely with Karen at the University of Bolton for almost a decade, and was impressed with her drive and commitment in 2009 when she gained her BA (Hons) degree in English. She was later seconded to the University as a Chaplain with responsibility for Interfaith relations and chaplaincy development. During her time there she co-ordinated the development and delivery of two Interfaith chaplaincy courses, which gained her and the university National recognition. She also formally represented the University at our Ras al-Khaimah campus in the United Arab Emirates.
We have remained in close contact over the past several years and I have engaged her to lead a number of projects at the University since she set up as a consultant in 2016.
Given my close personal association with Karen as my own chaplain and on the basis of her compassion and integrity, I would not hesitate to commend Karen to anyone as a coach. Her combination of skills, qualifications and experience across a number of disciplines means she is able to encourage, enable and equip others to reach their full potential. I have witnessed this myself and have benefitted from her coaching and support through some of the most traumatic periods of my life involving the loss of close family and loved ones. Karen stands by those she supports like a rock. Confidentiality is assured, and of paramount importance to her. She can be relied upon 100% and also understands the unique pressures of leadership and asks incisive questions leading to effective change and greater personal and/or professional development. Karen would be an asset to those who engage her services and she is truly an amazing individual with so much to give to others. I endorse her without reservation
I have worked with Karen for a number of years now; initially through Karen’s role developing local charities and latterly supporting her in developing her own business. I just love her ability to bring out the best in people. Karen has this innate ability to support people no matter what their circumstances but, it’s more than that, she has a clear style of being able to positively challenge thinking enabling people to become solution focused and able to ‘move forward’ .Karen has recently been re-examining her own business role and title in order to clearly articulate what she does and how she can support. I recently saw something that I felt compelled to share with Karen . It was an answer to the following question ‘What Do I Do’ ” I am your biggest cheerleader! I am a courage ignitor, a life alignment mentor, an essence illuminator. I help people tune in and become their own gurus!” That sums Karen up perfectly.If you are looking for someone to support, provide a listening ear, a people developer or any combination of the three for your organisation, or for yourself, I would have no hesitation to recommend Karen for you.Just having the initial chat with her will be illuminating.
Karen is a warm-hearted community minded individual with a strong belief in empowering young leaders and she contributed greatly to my own leadership journey. She is a real visionary and she makes things happen. She supports, encourages and develops people and organisations helping them to reach their full potential.
I have known Karen over a number of years, initially as an Oasis Chaplain and latterly as a friend. I can confidently say that I have never known anyone who operates with as much commitment and enthusiasm as Karen. She is determined to make progress; she always sees opportunities and always works to bring good out of situations, even when they are not looking promising! She works hard, is organised and well planned. She is also committed to working relationally – a feature that can never be undersold! She approaches life with a can do approach and is never easily deterred.
I am delighted to commend Karen and her consultancy. I have had the privilege of working with her in a number of different contexts throughout my time as Bishop, in both Bolton and Salford. In 2010 and 2011 I contributed to a ground-breaking and nationally acclaimed inter-faith chaplaincy course she devised, based out of the University of Bolton. Since then, Karen has pioneered chaplaincy at the Oasis Academy Media City UK, and been Head of Development and Partnerships for Zac’s Youth Project in Farnworth. Most recently in 2015, in just a few short months, as a result of her leadership and networking skills, she enabled the vision for a new youth centre in Westhoughton, to become a reality. Karen is a qualified counsellor and mentor, has exceptional inter-personal skills, and the capacity to make things happen and enable people and organisations to work well together. She is a connector with a heart and passion for community change.
I first came into contact with Karen when she was working as a Development officer for Zaks Youth charity in Farnworth, her role amongst other things was to set up a Patrons Club to better align the charity with local businesses.
She immediately came across as a caring and passionate ambassador who had great empathy with all stakeholders.
The business engagement grew quickly from a handful of patrons to a really engaged local business community that allowed the charity to focus on its core activities.As board Director and Trustee at Bolton Lads & Girls Club (BLGC) I had responsibility for setting up a “Hub & Spoke” network of smaller youth centres that would allow BLGC to cater for the whole borough of Bolton, in essence we wanted to take the BLGC offer out to the suburbs.
To get this project off the ground we needed somebody on the ground that could go out and also make those important relationships to ensure long term sustainability, Karen was that person and she had an immediate impact with the first target area of Westhoughton.
The project really took off and is a runaway success due to the sound foundations that she laid down.Karen is an articulate and friendly relationship builder, highly skilled in coaching and mentoring but also very knowledgeable in the business aspects of how a third sector organisation should operate.
Setting up sound systems that stick seems to come naturally, Karen is a very competent leader and visionary with the ability to get involved where necessary on focussed problems.During her time at BLGC I worked very closely with Karen and I believe she has so much to offer in her role as consultant, very results driven but a people person that is well liked and respected.
Karen visited our city centre offices and did a mindfulness session with all of our staff. The session was very well received by everyone, especially our younger members of staff. Karen is a consummate professional, and we look forward to working with her again soon.
Karen provides an executive listening service. Leaders often need a sounding board outside of their organisation, and Karen’s patience and intuition is invaluable for those under pressure.
Karen does a listening and counselling service at Bolton at Home as part of a Chaplaincy role. It has proved invaluable to us as an organisation, and to the very wide range of staff who use it. Feedback has shown it has had a hard edged business benefit as it has prevented potential time off due to sickness for staff, as well as a significant welfare function. Karen has been excellent for us in fulfilling what is a tough role, and the fact that we have extended the number of days that she works with us is the best testament to her success!
