Consultancy and Bespoke Learning

Listened carefully to the needs of the team and created a bespoke programme of four full day workshops.

Developed the trust of participants and ensured that all were heard, using practical and memorable models, case studies and a variety of activities, while encouraging sharing and self-reflection.

Used a coaching style to enable participants to find solutions to issues that were discussed, and actions were agreed and owned by team members.

Created a space where empathy, humour, and appropriate challenge enabled a positive change in the culture of the team.

Collaborated with the management team in a flexible way, adjusting plans depending on the team’s situation

Thoughtfully crafted series of sessions. Debs has a great way of listening and re-framing. Her personable delivery style inspires trust.

I valued Debs’ way of questioning and her ability to ‘read the room’ and probe further into my answers.

Debs ‘gets’ people and teams

Debs created a welcoming and supportive environment. She was really inclusive and asked highly thought provoking questions.

Debs always has insightful questions. She was good at making us think and pushing us further.

Debs was very understanding, knowledgeable and helpful, supporting the team to find a way forward and getting us to agree to actions!

Great sessions making me reflective and question myself.

Debs gave us great and honest feedback with clear strategies we can adapt and adopt

Very engaging sessions

I have known Debs Hirst for over 3 years in her role as an Executive Coach. My initial introduction to Debs was via a Chief Executive who suggested I would benefit from career perspective if I was coached by Debs. Initially cynical, and never being coached, I agreed and as the saying goes, “The rest is history”

From day one Debs brought her calming and caring nature to the coaching session. She was very professional and I quickly connected to her approach. Within the first two hours, she helped me to set my goal, by gentle encouragement and the correct amount of questions. She is extremely emotionally aware and I am confident she could connect with anyone in a coaching capacity.

Over a period of 4 coaching sessions, Debs assisted me in truly establishing what I needed to do to move forward and more importantly to be true to myself. She allowed me to determine what was really important to me and how I could sustain my approach.

I can genuinely say that Deb changed my whole approach to Homelife and Work. My honest view is that you will be privileged to be coached by Debs, she will change your life for the greater and better.

“The facilitators’ style was open-minded and non-judgemental, so I never worried about asking questions or getting things wrong

“I feel as though it is an extremely supportive environment – both facilitators Debs & Siân are amazing!

“The cadence and mixture of learning was just right to have a balance of learning, reflecting, practicing and feedback. The whole course has been pitched just right”

“Great rapport between Siân & Debs and with the group. Both offer different perspectives/styles which is really valuable. Lots of time for questions/discussion.

“Non-judgemental open forum for discussion, debate, no wrong answers”

“There’s been lots of helpful resources or slides shared that really help with learning outside of the workshops”

“Consider the needs of the group and I really like the different styles and experiences you bring.”

“The programme has been brilliant from start to finish. It’s struck a perfect balance of being challenging yet supportive and covering both theory and practice” 

10/10 – It’s been so much fun and I’ve learnt so much! Debs and Sian did a fantastic job of creating a safe and supportive environment for us all

Created a bespoke package of sessions which allowed space for growth and discussion as well as a clear path towards our ultimate objective of ‘one team’.

Demonstrated an excellent understanding of the team and showed great flexibility in adapting the programme when different opportunities arose.

Without these workshops I don’t think we would have been able to have supported the team in making so much progress in such a relatively short space of time. The sessions helped us to develop a new culture and a sense of empowerment within the team.

“Surpassed my expectation as always. The space always feels to welcoming but rich with information. It is such a valuable time to continue the coach learning journey and stretch ourselves. I really like the structure to the sessions and the pace. There’s enough time to delve deeply – but feels like we cover such a lot in the sessions. “

“You always bring so much of yourself to the sessions. It creates psychological safety very quickly where people can just be themselves because you are yourself.”

“I LOVE the way challenge is used in these sessions. This is the bit that really stretches me and I see direct results from. The way you challenge is just the right level; that brings me out of my comfort zone, but the sessions are still SO enjoyable. “

I met Debs when I was at a cross roads in terms of my career. I knew I wanted to do something different but i didn’t know what it was or where to start. I wasn’t sure that talking it through with a stranger would help but I decided to give it a go!

Three sessions in and I had decided exactly what i wanted to do and I was starting to formulate my plans to help me get there. I had a few ‘wobbles’ along the way but each time Debs would offer reassurance but without giving me advice. She asked the right questions and helped me to think about things I would never have thought about on my own.

I now run my own business and I could not be happier. I occasionally call upon Debs for one-off coaching sessions to help keep me on track and working towards my plans.

Debs is kind and caring and has a great way of making you believe you can achieve anything.

Coaching came at a time when i was really struggling to find a balance between working and being with my family. I was in a job that I hated but it paid the bills – i felt stuck but i had convinced myself that this was my life until the kids got older.

Someone suggested that Debs might be able to help me. If i am honest I didn’t believe that she could! I spent the first session explaining my situation and all the reasons why I couldn’t change it. Debs listened and then very carefully and with lots of kindness she repeated back to me what I had said. That was a huge moment – hearing myself in her words made me feel hugely emotional, embarrassed and angry with myself. She then simply asked ‘do you want to make a change?’

I did and after 2 more sessions I had come up with a plan to leave my job, find part time work and go back into part time education – something I hadn’t realised I really wanted to do.

I am now studying, working and spending quality time with my children. It’s hard work but I am happy! Without Debs listening to me and questioning me I would not have made that change. She is kind and caring but it was the tough questions she asked that made me make my change.

The enthusiasm and professionalism of our facilitator is what i most valued about this session.  They brought a lot of knowledge and experience from their own practice and were generous in sharing many areas with us.  There is something so accessible and doable about the way they encouraged us to think and engage with the topic from the perspective of both well being for ourselves and for those we work with.  They were also generous with their feedback and reflections.