What people say about our work:
Organisations
'Over the last 12 months it had become clear that we had problems with our internal communications in some parts of the organisation. There was misunderstanding and frustration and we felt that it was time to try something different.
We contacted Sarah as she is a certified Nonviolent Communications (NVC) practitioner and we felt that an NVC approach would be successful for us in improving internal communication. Sarah worked closely with us to explore the issues we wanted to address and designed a programme of training specific to our needs.
Sarah shared clear and simple steps for communicating more effectively. These steps helped us to understanding each other and ourselves better, and to express what we wanted to communicate clearly and succinctly. The approach Sarah took culminated in a structured dialogue where advisors were able to raise concerns directly with the Senior Management Team. I heard things from staff that I had not understood before and was able to respond and feel confident that my responses were also being heard. From that point we were able to begin to look at ways to address some of the issues that were being raised. It was a clear demonstration of the value of creating understanding and connection between people at all levels within the organisation.
Currently, the staff who attended the training are more engaged and are collaborating with the SMT to help them understand more clearly some of the issues facing our front line staff. They are also involved in exploring how to utilise the skills Sarah shared with us more fully throughout the whole organisation. As a result of the training and the structured dialogues, trust and confidence is growing between staff at all levels.
Sarah’s advice and support has helped us shift into a new way of doing things. We are gradually changing the way we work and talk together. I am confident that things will keep developing now that the benefits of NVC have been demonstrated. I am excited about where this will take us and I look forward to working further with Sarah on this.' Dr Joanne Liddy, Deputy Director Customer Services Group, HMRC
One to One
'Thank you so much for the brilliant sessions, I really needed someone to get me on track with my thoughts and how to deal with confrontation in many parts of my business and life. I feel loads better, and feel I can better myself and my clients training.' Kathryn Jones, Clever Fox Canine
Foundation Courses
'Nonviolent Communication opened up a new way of looking at the world for me. With Sarah’s clear, gentle wisdom and leadership I was introduced to a way of communicating compassionately. As a Quaker and a mother, I try to live this kind of compassion in my every day – but it’s not always easy. Attending a course like this one gave me some of the tools I need.’ RH, Penrith
'As .... someone who works with others in groups committed to justice, I have found the approach taken by nonviolent communication immensely fruitful. It has helped me to curb my hastiness when interacting with others, and has given me ways to understand better what is happening when I find myself at odds with those with whom I want to be in accord. It isn’t easy to put what I have learned into practice, but the whole effort is worthwhile – sometimes I am startled by unexpected harmony.' JA, Keswick
Empathy Deepening
'Sarah created a focused and welcoming atmosphere which allowed us to explore issues at our own pace. I particularly appreciated the flexibility and patience on the 'dancefloor'. It showed me that simply allowing honest expression without striving to first understand or rationalize it is a powerful tool for self understanding.' DO
'I was amazed at the potency of responding in the moment. and not just listening but being truly engaged with another person. It's hard to express the immense difference between knowing things in theory and experiencing them in practise. This weekend gave me a taste of the exciting possibilities of a new heartfelt way of communicating with myself and others.' DO
'As .... someone who works with others in groups committed to justice, I have found the approach taken by nonviolent communication immensely fruitful. It has helped me to curb my hastiness when interacting with others, and has given me ways to understand better what is happening when I find myself at odds with those with whom I want to be in accord. It isn’t easy to put what I have learned into practice, but the whole effort is worthwhile – sometimes I am startled by unexpected harmony.' JA, Keswick
Empathy Deepening
'Sarah created a focused and welcoming atmosphere which allowed us to explore issues at our own pace. I particularly appreciated the flexibility and patience on the 'dancefloor'. It showed me that simply allowing honest expression without striving to first understand or rationalize it is a powerful tool for self understanding.' DO
'I was amazed at the potency of responding in the moment. and not just listening but being truly engaged with another person. It's hard to express the immense difference between knowing things in theory and experiencing them in practise. This weekend gave me a taste of the exciting possibilities of a new heartfelt way of communicating with myself and others.' DO
Parenting
'The NVC Parenting course was amazing for me and my family.'
'I can now deal with situations between my children and me with compassion and connection to what is going on for each one of us, without negativity or judging and blaming us for our feelings and reactions. I'm not saying I have become a "super parent" or a "saint" over night, but I know I can get back in touch with myself and those around me without judging and blaming myself into feeling like a complete failure or making others feel like I'm blaming them.'
The most valuable things I learned were that I have needs too which are as important as all those I'm caring for'
'I would recommend NVC to anyone willing to give it a try!' FS - Keswick
'Doing the NVC parenting course helped me re-evaluate the way I was relating to our children and helped to resolve several issues that were log jammed in confrontation. It helped me step back from the situation and see it from the other's point of view.' EN - Carlisle
'I can now deal with situations between my children and me with compassion and connection to what is going on for each one of us, without negativity or judging and blaming us for our feelings and reactions. I'm not saying I have become a "super parent" or a "saint" over night, but I know I can get back in touch with myself and those around me without judging and blaming myself into feeling like a complete failure or making others feel like I'm blaming them.'
The most valuable things I learned were that I have needs too which are as important as all those I'm caring for'
'I would recommend NVC to anyone willing to give it a try!' FS - Keswick
'Doing the NVC parenting course helped me re-evaluate the way I was relating to our children and helped to resolve several issues that were log jammed in confrontation. It helped me step back from the situation and see it from the other's point of view.' EN - Carlisle
Schools
Quotes from year five and six pupils (Key Stage Two)
'Every single time you taught me it was worth it because me and my friends and family don't fight that much anymore.'
'I learnt to see other people from the inside not just the outside.'
'I have learnt that when you're angry with someone you should try to understand what they're feeling too.'
'I got along with my friends much more after this lesson.'
'I've learnt that understanding other people's feelings actually helps settle things, I feel ok about letting other people know about my feelings. Don't think you're on your own.'
'Every single time you taught me it was worth it because me and my friends and family don't fight that much anymore.'
'I learnt to see other people from the inside not just the outside.'
'I have learnt that when you're angry with someone you should try to understand what they're feeling too.'
'I got along with my friends much more after this lesson.'
'I've learnt that understanding other people's feelings actually helps settle things, I feel ok about letting other people know about my feelings. Don't think you're on your own.'