Coaching and reflective practice

In order to learn, change and grow, we need space and time to reflect. When engaging meaningfully with others using new ways of working centred on relationship-building, it can be a profound journey of inner personal and professional transformation. It gives rise to questions such as:

• What is my role and responsibility in this process? Have I been trained to provide answers and solutions? How does it feel to show up and say, ‘I don’t know, let’s figure it out together’?
• What is my preferred level of control? Can I learn to trust people and participative processes, and have faith that the results might not be what I want, but will be what we need?
• What is my relationship to power? Do I centre myself, the organisation, other people, or the collective? How do I enable others to grow and flourish, so they too can make valuable contributions?
• How is the quality of my listening? Do I listen to understand or listen to respond?
• What do I believe about people? What narratives have I internalised about myself and about others, which may or may not be helpful? How can I connect with my compassion and value everyone involved?
• Do I believe I can learn new ways of working? Do I feel comfortable not getting it ‘right first time’, learning by doing, and improving as I go? Can I approach this with curiosity?

Coaching: Also often described as reflective practice sessions – this is time to pause, think, and reflect on your work. I work one-to-one with people on an individual basis or as part of a team, to hold a space for their personal and professional development. My approach is client-led, and we cover whatever needs to be covered. I am an ILM-trained coach with a relational focus, and I draw on a range of modalities including conflict resolution skills. I often work with leaders and executive teams to develop their capacity to support organisational change – but not exclusively.

Well-being away days for teams: I offer half-day or day-long workshops, designed for teams and groups as a well-being day / away day / team building day in nature-rich settings… effectively a combination of all three. Sessions are tailored to the group’s context and needs, and I draw on a range of facilitated practices to help participants slow down, connect with themselves, each other, and nature, and take the space and time to reflect on the relevant organisational topics and priorities.

Want to see some examples of sessions I have supported, and away days I have delivered? Click to reveal!

• Coaching (individuals, private practice) – various since 2008
• Coaching (for teams):
  • Mencap Cymru (RCT & Anglesey teams)
  • Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership
• Away days:
  • Me, myself and nature: a creative reflection workshop (WeCanMake Bristol)

Want to see some nice things people have said about my work? Click to reveal!

• “Sometimes we all need a little help with sorting out the tricky stuff that comes up. When that time comes, Noreen is the person to have on your side.”– (individual coaching)
• “Looking back, my session with Noreen was an important turning point for me.”– (individual coaching)
• “I cannot thank you enough for Friday – all the support, listening, kindness and understanding. You made a huge difference to me.” – Swansea Regional Partnership Board (coaching)
• “I wanted to thank you so much personally for the light bulb moments, that has changed my way of thinking.” – Mencap (coaching)
• “Noreen’s preparation was evident, as was her enthusiasm to get the best out of all participants during the day. She also introduced us to new techniques that helped us debate and discuss key issues in an inclusive way. Noreen displayed a highly coordinated approach, tempered with the flexibility to further explore issues of importance to those participating – which is sometimes key, even if it challenges the set agenda somewhat.” – Tai Pawb (away day)
• “I could have happily stayed there for 3 hours!”– WeCanMake Bristol (away day, about an individual reflection exercise)