Client Feedback Lost confidence, feeling overwhelmed "This is to let you know that I have passed the CASC exam and am really thankful to you for all your support, kindness and practical discussion sessions (which were really an eye opener for me). I was at a very dark place after my last attempt at it and just talking to you helped me regain my confidence back. I am just too thankful to you for being there."
By Dr M ,
Lancaster Unhappy at work difficult people / looking for a new job A huge thank you for my session last week, I couldn't believe how relieved I felt on leaving that day. I came away feeling a burden had been lifted off my shoulders! Now I know this sounds pretty extreme but it is totally true and on Friday I went into work full of energy and hope. Thank you so much. I would love to meet up with you again.
(follow up session)
I really benefited from the session and you helped me to think, reflect and now I am somewhere nearer to understanding my own mind and motives thanks to you! Speak soon and thanks again.
By AS ,
Blackburn Setting up in business Sue asked me lots of questions to gather information and then we used a flip chart sheet to get all my thoughts down. It was helpful to have this session as a sense check of my plans, and to have a sounding board. I was reassured by our discussion as it confirmed I had covered the important aspects but also gave me some new things to think about.
By SX ,
Preston Being performance managed at work job under threat When I first came to Sue, I was in the final stages of a performance management process at work. I was very unhappy which was contributing to a poor sickness record, and I couldn't imagine that the situation would improve. But after a few sessions, I was approaching my work differently and my confidence was returning. I came off the formal performance management and this removed a lot of the pressure so I could concentrate on my work, which in turn improved performance. As a result I am now much more settled.
Sue has made a measured difference to my working life and I am now in much more positive place and frame of mind I know that I would not be in a better place if had not been for Sue and I can't stress enough how appreciative and grateful I am.
By LC ,
Lancaster Emigration I was engaged to someone in the Far East and wanted to talk through whether to emigrate or to bring my fianc'e to live here. During the session I was marshalling my thoughts on paper, with Sue asking questions, some of which highlighted issues I had not yet explored. I found it very beneficial to talk through my dilemmas with someone who was genuinely interested in me, but who had no vested interest in my final decision.
By NC ,
Preston Career path decision Thanks ever so much for your time yesterday. I found it really useful and have lots of ideas about how to take things forward.
(Final meeting)
I wanted to say a proper thank you for your support over what was a pretty challenging time for me starting a new job and then the move from the NHS to the local authority. If/when (and I'm sure I will) need to talk to someone again in future I would love to be able to come back to you. I found our meetings ever so helpful and really enjoyed meeting you.
By RY ,
Blackburn Preparation for jobs: CV, application form I just wanted to thank you for your help with my job application. The panel said it stood apart from all the others and I got the job!
By LB ,
Lancaster Chairing a conference Just to let you know that the conference I was chairing and speaking at yesterday went better than I could have hoped for. Some 'seasoned' presenters came up to me after and said it was superb and I've been invited to give the same presentation again! Thanks for your help with my preparation.
I also took the plunge and launched the website we discussed and that is starting slowly to get members! So thanks for your encouragement at the last meeting!!
By PB ,
Blackpool Considering career change Thank you very much for our session today it was really helpful to get an objective view of things, and helped me to think much more clearly about what my options are. Thanks again!
By JR ,
Liverpool Deciding whether to move area Just to say, thank you for being such a good listening ear yesterday. It was really good to talk to you and get my thoughts out in the open.
By WH ,
Lancaster Work / life balance Thanks again for today as usual, interesting and refreshing discussions and plenty of homework!
Wishing you all the best - I'm looking forward to meeting up again.
By JB ,
Liverpool Preparation for jobs: CV, application form and interview technique We have worked on my CV and interview technique which helped me prepare and approach a job interview with more confidence and insight into the role. Sue's professional opinion and guidance made a real difference and the feedback from the interview panel was that they had been impressed with both my application and my interview.
By LC ,
Lancaster Management development The support Sue has shown has developed me as a leader and enabled me to take actions and decisions that I would have found difficult in the past. Thanks Sue!
By PB ,
Blackpool Planning services at work / retirement I want to thank you for your time and support over the last few months. Our sessions have produced productive goals and achievements which have been used in my job role and to put things in place for services to continue after I retire.
By GA ,
Manchester
Nominations forMentor Exemplar'
1st Nomination 2010
When undertaking a Leadership Programme, we were all encouraged to find ourselves a mentor.
Sceptic, cynic and unbeliever summed up my view of mentoring but I was backed into a corner so reluctantly went on line to find a 'suitable match'. Looking not too locally, I came across Sue. Still a bit unsure about all this mentoring, we spoke on the phone and agreed a date for our first meeting. I turned up prompt, not sure what to expect - I knew the theory about confidentiality, ground rules etc., but what would it be like in practice?
The time flew by, and surprisingly I found that it didn't really matter that Sue didn't know my job and my department inside out. It was the thinking that mattered and the approach to the issues I had. We explored ideas and the solutions that I found myself coming up with, which I doubt would have surfaced, if I'd not been in the 'mentees chair'. Each time I find my journey back along the M6 flies by as my mind races and is full of ideas!
Over the year we have met about four times and chat about a variety of situations, although sometimes we concentrate on one. Once, when I was invited to chair a conference we even chatted over the phone when we couldn't get time to meet up. Mentoring is flexible. We're both busy people and I sometimes need to rearrange sessions at short notice. But to my surprise I find I do it with reluctance as I have come to regard my mentee time as time well spent for me, my department and my job.
PB, Blackpool
2nd Nomination 2014
Sue has been a totally guiding support and light at the end of my tunnel. She has supported me through a difficult time and due to her Mentorship I am now in a much better place and have regained my confidence and self worth in my working life.
I had many issues to face and I had been off work for a period of time with stress and depression related to work. From the start Sue created a positive and safe environment for me work through the difficulties and towards a resolution where I could work happily. She has always given a 'can do' approach which has rebuilt my confidence. The positive energy which has come from my Mentoring sessions has enabled me to continue working, where I might have otherwise been signed off again.
She has helped me to recognise my years of experience and develop my skills. We have worked on my CV and interview technique which helped me prepare and approach a job interview with more confidence and insight into the role. Her professional opinion and guidance made a real difference and the feedback from the interview panel was that they had been impressed with both my application and my interview technique. Sue said this had been down to me but I know she was being modest and that her mentoring had increased this positive feedback. She has also helped me relate to my work colleagues and interact more positively as an individual and within group settings.
Our sessions were always conducted in an open and honest way. Often I was upset and distressed and found it very difficult to express some of the issues and difficulties which I was facing. Sue was empathetic and helped me find ways of being able to express myself.
LC, Lancaster
