241: Punching Through Grief: A Revolutionary Coaching Approach to Healing
In this episode, we explore how coaching has been integrated into RELEASE, a bereavement programme which uses exercise in the form of non-contact boxing and mindfulness to enable participants to express their emotions and focus on their own individual outcomes. Host Julie Flower is joined by Claire Henry MBE, a coach specialising in palliative and end-of-life care, who shares her involvement with RELEASE to support those dealing with grief. Claire explains how the programme works and what a typical session looks like. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe, non-judgmental environment and highlights the program's incredible positive impact on participants' emotional and physical well-being. Claire explains how participants benefit from an environment where they did not have to talk and where ‘all emotions were allowed.’ Learn why participants preferred a coaching approach instead of counselling, and why peer support was also a vital part of the programme. Claire explains how the programme was funded, evaluated and what they are planning in the future, providing lots of valuable tips for coaches who may be interested in this type of work. This innovative programme demonstrates the power of combining disciplines to aid healing, and improve wellbeing. You will learn: · How the RELEASE programme was set up and run · The feedback and benefits to participants · The challenges and highlights of working in partnership with other disciplines “One of the quotes from a participant was, ‘It was just so refreshing that all emotions were welcome.’ They felt so great that they could just let go and talk, and not talk if they didn’t want to, just really belt the punching bag." Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-bereavement-boxing-release-programme
--------
46:33
240: Spark Inside: Transforming Lives in the Criminal Justice System
In this episode, our host Julie Flower discusses the transformative power of coaching within the criminal justice system with Jeffrey Wotherspoon, a coach from the charity Spark Inside, and Elliot, a participant in the Black Hero's Journey program. Jeffrey explains Spark Inside's mission and programs, including the Hero's Journey and Black Hero's Journey, which help young men in prisons challenge their beliefs, understand their identities and embrace their potential. Elliot shares his personal experience, emphasizing how coaching helped him gain self-awareness, and envision and create a brighter future. Jeffrey explains the criteria for young men to join the programme, emphasising they choose to come through their own desire for change. Learn about the qualities and skills needed to join Spark Inside as a coach and hear the outstanding results that are being achieved. Elliot shares what he is doing now and what his plans are for his future. This episode demonstrates the power of coaching to help transform lives and pays homage to the resilient young men brave enough to step forward into a new future for themselves. You will learn: · The role of coaching both prisoners and prison officers in the criminal justice system · Why the Black Hero’s Journey was needed and how it is helping young black men in the criminal justice system · Future directions and goals for Spark Inside and its coaching initiatives “The impact has been very positive. I found out my true potential and realized that if I really wanted to achieve something, I could literally achieve it…and that’s what I’m doing now.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-black-heros-journey-prisoners-transformation
--------
38:20
239: The Lived Experience Coaches Transforming Support Services for People with Learning Disabilities and Autism
In this special episode, our host Julie Flower, dives into an inspiring conversation with guests Lindsay Henderson and Shaun Armour from Your Voice Counts, a charity based in Northeast England. Discover how they are challenging perspectives with a groundbreaking scheme that trains people with learning disabilities and autism to coach the professionals responsible for their support. Shaun, one of the coaches and Lindsay, Head of Communities, share how co-production and lived experience aren’t just buzzwords – they are essential tools for transforming support systems, empowering individuals and creating meaningful change. Learn how this innovative model developed, the training process and the shift in power dynamics in during the coaching relationships. Lindsay and Shaun offer honest reflections on what it takes to make this approach work, why accessibility and representation matter and how the scheme is making a tangible difference for both coaches and professionals. They also share their hopes for the future, including plans to expand the model and embed it into services across more regions. If you're looking to make your coaching practice more inclusive, authentic, and impactful, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! You will learn: · How lived experience can reshape professional coaching and improve services for people with learning disabilities and autism. · The importance of co-production and accessible training in building inclusive coaching programs. · The challenges and triumphs of implementing a lived experiences coaching model within professional settings. “Having a coach opposite them with a learning disability or autism, and they're communicating with them in an equal power relationship, was just my favourite bit of the whole thing, because it started to challenge people's perceptions about people, about people's opportunities and about what people can achieve.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-learning-disability-autism-lived-experience-coaches
--------
43:01
238: From Disengagement to Empowerment: The Coaching Approaches Transforming Young Lives
In this inspiring episode of our Coaching for Good series, we dive deep into the transformative power of coaching and mentoring for disengaged and vulnerable youth. Host, Julie Flower is joined by Duncan Cherrett and Ana Collier from Young Devon, a leading charity in the southwest of England dedicated to supporting young people who need more help than traditional systems offer. They share how using a coaching philosophy in their work has provided empowering lifelines for many young people navigating complex life challenges. Duncan and Ana discuss the evolution of their innovative mentoring programs, the requirements and qualities needed to become a young person’s coach, the challenges of securing consistent funding, particularly for preventative work, and the significance of local knowledge and partnerships. They also explain the significance of different methods of evaluation in demonstrating the impact of their programmes. Listen and learn how a relational, coaching-based approach can reignite potential, foster trust, and build futures that once seemed out of reach. You will learn: · The importance of building trust and rapport with young people · Specific projects and initiatives by Young Devon aimed at supporting youth · The training and support they provide to their coaches and mentors “The Empowering Enterprise Project was probably our most successful, where the freedom to be able to select the timeline, which was really important, and I think allowed far more success than you normally would get with some of those fixed term mentoring programs.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-young-people-mentoring
--------
43:57
237: Writing for Resilience: Coaching Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Listen to this podcast episode to hear how an innovative coaching program is helping survivors of domestic abuse ‘dream big.’ Our host, Julie Flower, is joined by the creator of the “Writing for Resilience” coaching program, Charmaine Pollard, as well as two of the participants, Priya* and Shari*. Charmaine, a coach and certified poetry therapist, explains how the evidence-based, 20-week programme uses a combination of writing, poetry, 1 to 1 and group coaching to help survivors of domestic abuse rebuild their lives. Priya and Shari share their challenges and transformative experiences, highlighting the programme’s impact on their confidence and personal growth. They emphasise the importance of group support and accountability, goal-setting and creative expression in their healing journeys. Charmaine explains how the programme’s integrative approach, utilising the power of writing with coaching, creates deep and meaningful change. This episode will challenge perspectives about survivors of domestic abuse. It is both moving, hopeful and a testament to the courage and resilience of these women. *names have been changed to protect the participants You will learn: · What motivated Charmaine to create this programme · About the different elements of the programme · The evaluation of the program's effectiveness and its positive outcomes. “The program enabled us to have that cocoon into a butterfly moment, where we could flourish and become a newer, brighter version of ourselves.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-coaching-for-good-writing-for-resilience-domestic-abuse
Welcome to the Association for Coaching (AC) Podcast Channel.
Enjoy our educational, thought-provoking conversations as our diverse range of hosts speak with coaches, thought leaders, academics and industry innovators. Listen to our weekly episodes to gain actionable tools and proven techniques to elevate your personal and professional development, boost your coaching business and become a better coach for your clients. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, this is your go-to resource for growth and success in the coaching industry.
All our podcast and guest resources are available in our Digital Learning Hub, which includes an extensive library of webinars, interviews, and a portfolio of live events to help you develop and increase your coaching expertise. https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub
UK