...and I'm a weaver of different approaches and practices.
As you've landed here, I am guessing that you might be:
My mission is to offer you a tender, non-judgemental and curious space, where we can slowly explore the process of learning and unlearning together. Allowing the time and space to reconnect to your intuition, values and self trust.
I'm here to support in whatever ways I can, and I'm so looking forward to connecting and starting this process with you.
I AM NOT THE EXPERT
Yes I have done training (which you can learn about below), yes I have experience, but do you know who knows the most about what is going to help you? What's going to be most supportive? What's most accessible? What's going to be sustainable long term? Yes, it's you! I see our work together as very much a collaborative process - I can offer invitations, practices and reflections, and together we can explore how this integrates, what needs adapting, where we need to go next. You are the expert in what you need from a facilitator - you have a right to access services without barriers and sharing your access needs helps me to better support you in these spaces.
FORMAL TRAINING ISN'T EVERYTHING
I have included my formal training below, as I know this can be reassuring for some to see my 'scope of practice', to know that I have learned about the practices I am sharing. I also include it because I know that I always want to see other people's training, so sharing for any other nosy nellies out there..!
But a really important reminder for all of us is that formal training isn't the be all and end all, and also a recognition of the fact that it has taken many layers of privilege for me to able to access these trainings (middle class, family wealth, financial support from partner and family, English speaking etc).
Our society tends to prioritise formalised learning and education, but actually we need to recognise the value and importance of lived experience, intergenerational and somatic wisdom. We need to commit to wider learning and unlearning and applying an intersectional and justice-based lens to our work. I talk a bit more about this in my Knowledge Lineage section below.
SLOW IS THE FASTEST WAY
My work is about trying to step out of autopilot. Working from a place of embodiment rather than Pushing. Slowness allows us to start building more of a sense of safety and trust - this isn't something that can be rushed. It is my strong belief (and experience) that meaningful change is able to happen quicker when we decide to go slow in our approach. There is so much wisdom in our bodies and intuition, but we need to slow down enough to access this.
At the root of this work is the honouring of natural needs - we are learning to slow down and tune in to what we really need and feel. Taking care of ourselves is a fundamental building block of taking care of our communities. I commit to embedding this in my approach to myself as a practitioner, as I try to embody these values and lead by example.
A range of offerings including mindfulness, somatics, nature connection, coaching, circle spaces, journaling, meditations and more...
Sandra - Community Member
Access Needs are whatever you need to be able to fully access a service (or area). Examples could be (but are not limited to) the option to be off camera, using the chat function, taking regular breaks, closed captions.
If there is anything you need/want me to know before working together so that I can better support you, please get in touch. We can navigate this via email / on a call/ Voxer - whatever is most accessible for you.
I operate from a Social Model of Disability perspective, and apply this to any form of societal oppression or prejudice. I am committed to removing potential barriers to my offerings and am hugely appreciative of any information that helps me to do that.
If you aren't sure what you need in terms of support but know that there is a barrier you may face in accessing any of my services, or if you have any concerns, please get in touch and we can work together to find the best way to remove these barriers.
Formal Qualifications
Work Experience
My background is in Anthropology, Community Development, Disability Advocacy, Teaching and Facilitating Community spaces and trainings.
A highlight has been my involvement in the creation of a research Project with Dr Kirsten McEwan (Derby University) – ‘An Evaluation of the effects of Forest Bathing on Long Covid’
I absolutely love facilitating and holding spaces for groups and individuals. Some examples of spaces I have held include groups for young people with learning disabilities, community health workshops for refugees, women’s groups, support groups for new parents and social spaces for isolated community members.
Lived Experience
I have lived experience of chronic illness (more specifically Long Covid, POTS, chronic migraine and MCAS) for years. These are fluctuating conditions, creating a dynamic disability.
I also have lived experience of anxiety and depression, as well as burnout.
The practices and modalities that I share are all ones that have been (and continue to be) deeply beneficial to me personally. I am always teaching and sharing from a place of being a learner as well as a teacher / practitioner.
* This is a practice inspired by N'Deye Oumou Sylla, who shared their Lineage of Knowledge during a Radical Mental Health First Aide workshop I attended. *
It is important for me to acknowledge and consider carefully the lineage and history of the practices I am sharing to make sure that I am being respectful and not culturally appropriative, as well as striving to be working from a perspective that is not just informed by western, (predominantly white, male, cis) methodologies.
Below is a (non-exhaustive and ever-changing) list of people and bodies of work that influence my work. These include people whose wisdom I have received and been influenced by via reading, listening, watching and by virtue of it being included in other trainings:
Sobonfu Somé, Sharon Blackie, Priya Parker, Nkem Ndefo, Francis Weller, Adrienne Maree Brown, Molly Brown, Lucy Jones, Helena Vissing, Hakomi, Polyvagal theory, Focusing, John O'Donohue, Disability Justice, Mia Mingus, Mary Oliver, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ann Weiser Cornell, Sonya Renee Taylor, Prentis Hemphill, Staci Haines, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, Toi Smith, Ayesha Khan, Nova Reid, Katherine May, Joanna Macy, Vandana Shiva, Mikaela Loach, Aja Barber, Margeaux Feldman, Lia Leendertz, Lisa Olivera, Raeeke Yassaie
Mel - Community Member
Receive updates about availability and new offerings as and when they are available by joining my mailing list using the link below.
Or if you are interested in joining one of my spaces but aren't quite sure if it's right for you then you can book in a chat with me
You can also stay in touch via Substack