PROFILE:

Cheryl is coach, leader, and facilitator, with expertise spanning health, local government, and voluntary sectors. After many years leading place and regional preventative public health programmes, Cheryl progressed to a strategic leadership position, having responsibility for operational and management teams and leading organisational change. Here she witnessed the transformational effect great leaders can have on teams and the importance of working with the whole person, using empathy and compassion.  

A genuine interest in people, emotions, and behaviour, led Cheryl train as a coach and study the fields of positive psychology and neuroscience in leadership. Here she learnt to harness her teams’ innate resourcefulness and strengths to deliver organisational objectives and personal growth.

COACHING STYLE:

Cheryl’s curiosity in leading with empathy and compassion, led her to the work of Dr Brené Brown and she became accredited in the Dare to Lead ™ approach. This work underpins much of the coaching Cheryl provides, as well as the work of Jenny Rogers and James Clear.

Cheryl approaches coaching with a curiosity that facilitates courageous conversations, encouraging clients to explore a range of perspectives. She provides compassionate challenge, creating space for clients to learn and grow. An advocate of continuous reflection and a strengths-based approach, Cheryl works with a range of tools appropriate to each client, promoting positive change. She is comfortable using the GROW and OSCAR models of coaching. Client sessions are offered virtually or in person at a suitable venue. Contracting is done to meet individual client requirements, with regular reviews.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

• ILM Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring
• Certified Dare to Lead™ Leader
• CMI Level 7 Strategic Management (ongoing)
• Master of Public Health – University of York
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) Health and Community Studies 2:1 – University of Huddersfield
• NVQ Level 4 Training and Facilitation
• Mental Health First Aid – Mental Health First Aid England.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

• Member of the Association of Coaching (AC)

CAREER BACKGROUND:

Cheryl has spent the past ten years working at the intersection of health, education, and leadership, developing strategies to empower people to learn and grow. Her work around health education led her to collaborate with schools and organisations across the globe and she was invited to be a conference speaker in Africa, Europe, and the United States. She has worked with teams facing significant challenge and pressure, including as a strategic manager for teams leading the local Covid-19 response, in South Yorkshire. 

Cheryl brings significant leadership experience, combined with emotional literacy and current thinking on neuroscience, into coaching. She believes in the strengths and resourcefulness of her clients and that her role as a coach is to facilitate this resourcefulness, creating strategies for growth. Cheryl guides with positive curiosity towards goals, using the most valid and current tools and resources. 

Some of the goals her clients have presented with include:

• Leadership development
• Workplace confidence and imposter feelings
• Managing challenging multi-agency team dynamics
• Career profiling and interview techniques
• Delivering effective change
• Designing and delivering engaging presentations

TESTIMONIAL:

Initially I was unsure how coaching would support me in my role – I felt I had a lot of things to unpack and wasn’t sure if coaching would be the space to do this. Being coached by Cheryl has been brilliant. She has provided perspective but also the tools to move forward. Cheryl is really supportive, personable, and approachable. The sessions have been incredibly valuable for reflecting on my role and performance. I am also implementing strategies to improve my confidence and assertiveness in meetings.

With the support from Cheryl, I have dedicated time and space to unpick issues/obstacles to improve my performance. Many of these issues have been suppressed and brushed under the carpet, it feels positive to discuss them in a coaching environment. I have found the coaching experience incredibly valuable as it has given me the time and space to reflect on my own wellbeing and how this can impact my work.

Cheryl provided a safe space to open up and discuss my own struggles without judgement. I felt I could have real open and honest conversations. I really liked how Cheryl would use questioning to encourage me to reflect and dig deep. We sometimes get so lost in our own thoughts that we believe them all to be true. When being questioned, it makes you think of alternative explanations which has been really helpful. The coaching has not only benefited me for work, but it has really made me take responsibility of my wellbeing outside of work.

Emily Strong, February 2024.