Sunflower Thinking

12/01/2026

Hello 2026 and Happy New Year everyone ✨

Slightly late to the party but gently easing back into work this year. Different parts of me are currently operating in different time zones, but normality will resume shortly, I hope!

Kicking things off this morning at a great local networking event and will be catching up with emails a bit later today.

Really looking forward to checking in and catching up with lots of you very soon. Here’s to a positive and connected year ahead 💛

Let’s normalise the mental health conversation together, get in touch - I hope to work with you soon.

Creating hope through safe and positive training.

18/12/2025

If my sense of worth at work depended on social media - on how many likes I get or don’t get, I’d be in real trouble! That’s the truth 🤣 I’m not a natural marketer and what I’ve learned this year is that this is absolutely okay.

Because here’s the part that really matters. I’m a good trainer. I’ve found my place. I care deeply about the people in the training space, the learning that happens there and the impact that continues long after a session ends.

That’s why this has been my busiest year yet. People come back. They book again. They recommend me to colleagues and friends. My diary fills because of real connection, real outcomes and real conversations. Social media helps me stay visible and share a little of what I do but my work grows because of trust and experience, not perfectly crafted posts.

So here’s to showing up in the ways that count. Here’s to work that speaks for itself. And here’s to everyone who has recommended me, booked me again, or believed in what I do. You are the reason this year has been so important to me.

Thank you to all of the amazing people and organisations who have been such a special part of Sunflower Thinking this year. I’m signing off for a few weeks now and look forward to reconnecting in 2026. Thank you, thank you, thank you 💛

Let’s normalise the mental health conversation together, get in touch - I hope to work with you soon.

Creating hope through safe and positive training Sunflower Thinking

17/12/2025

It’s Wednesday Wellness Wish time! 🌻Our final one and it is definitely my favourite!

Today’s wish is for Hope and today, I wish to look forward with optimism.

Hope is the belief that things can be better, a powerful tool for shifting your focus from present struggle to future possibility.

We invite you to anchor that feeling by writing down a dream for the future, however big or small. Giving that dream form starts to pave the path toward it.

What small step are you hoping for? It can be anything at all! We’d love to hear your wishes in the comments! 👇

Take a small step for your well-being this week.

16/12/2025

Join Us for a One-Hour Webinar Honouring Parent Mental Health Day
📅 January 30th | ⏰ 1 Hour | 💻 Online – choose 10am or 2pm

I am beyond grateful to be partnering with Hansa Raja at Holding Space for this meaningful webinar where we’ll be coming together to share our combined knowledge, insights and practical tools to support parent mental health.

Parenting and caregiving can be joyful, demanding, hilarious, draining and everything in between. In honour of Parent Mental Health Day this session is dedicated to parents and carers who give so much to others and deserve time to be supported themselves.

This collaborative webinar will offer a supportive judgement-free space to:
✨ Explore practical strategies for nurturing your mental wellbeing
✨ Learn ways to manage stress and emotional load
✨ Share and learn alongside others who truly understand caregiving life
✨ Put yourself first - without guilt

Whether you’re caring for young children, teenagers or others in your life, this hour is a chance to pause, reflect and refill your cup.

At Sunflower Thinking we are genuinely looking forward to working with Hansa and creating a space where shared knowledge leads to real meaningful support.

📢 Reserve your spot today - you matter too!

🔗 10am session:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975810191470?aff=oddtdtcreator

🔗 2pm session:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977395349721?aff=oddtdtcreator

15/12/2025

Really grateful to be co-hosting this very much needed webinar in January!

🥳 Excited to be launching this webinar in collabration with Marie-Clare Gale Sunflower Thinking. Together we bring a wealth of experience, from lived expereince to mental health training and wellbeing. 🥳

🌿 Join Us for a One-Hour Webinar Honouring Parent Mental Health Day! 🌿
📅 January 30th | ⏰ 1 Hour | 💻 Online | 10-11am | 2-3pm

Parenting can be beautiful, exhausting, hilarious, overwhelming and
everything in between.

In honour of Parent Mental Health Day, we’re hosting a special session dedicated entirely to parents and carers who often give so much of themselves and rarely pause to refuel.

This webinar is a gentle space to:
✨ Explore practical tools to support your mental wellbeing
✨ Learn ways to manage stress and emotional load
✨ Connect with others who understand the realities of caregiving
✨ Prioritise you but without guilt

Whether you’re juggling toddlers, teens, or caregiving roles, this hour is for recharging, reflecting and remembering that your wellbeing matters too.

💜 Because when parents/carers are supported everyone thrives.

📢 Reserve your spot today - your future self will thank you.
Session 1 - 10-11am
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1975810191470?aff=oddtdtcreator

Session 2 - 2-3pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977395349721?aff=oddtdtcreator

15/12/2025

🌻 Workplace Wellbeing Focus: The New Su***de Prevention Standard

The UK has launched its first-ever Su***de Prevention standard for organisations, reinforcing a crucial message: su***de prevention is not just a clinical issue, it’s a workplace culture issue.

The standard encourages organisations to move from reactive responses to proactive prevention, by building psychological safety, increasing awareness of warning signs and ensuring clear, compassionate support pathways are in place.

As we head into 2026, this is a timely and important step for workplaces committed to meaningful wellbeing.
🔗 You can read more about the new standard here:
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/media-centre/press-releases/2025/november/uk-launches-first-ever-standard-for-organizations-dedicated-to-addressing-risk-of-su***de/

🌻 How Sunflower Thinking can support - 
Through training, supportive conversation skills and leadership development, I help organisations align with this standard in a practical, human way.

👉 If you’re reviewing your wellbeing strategy for 2026, let’s talk.
📩 Message me to explore how we can strengthen prevention, confidence and culture together.

***dePrevention

11/12/2025

Every month at Sunflower Thinking we shine a light on people who are determined to push conversations forward, these are the people really making a difference, sparking dialogue and inspiring meaningful change.

This month we applaud 🎉

I wanted to bring attention to this CIC as I believe the bravery of those leading on this will be life changing for those that follow, having the conversations that others shy away from, braving the storm that sometimes follows them, ultimately, I believe they are creating a better world and outcomes for women and girls.

Dorset Women CIC’s mission is to reduce gender and sex-based inequality and empower all women. The not-for-profit organisation does this in a variety of ways, having created a strategic framework that sets out how they would like the future to be. The company is passionate about educating and mentoring women to support each other, and can’t achieve this without encouraging male allyship too!

The ‘Our Dorset’ Women’s Health Website is the result of a collaboration between NHS Clinicians, Dorset Women CIC and women of Dorset themselves. It contains early help and self-help advice and resources across 12 priority areas to enable women and girls in Dorset - and further afield - to make informed decisions about their health and find the support they need. You can visit the website here - https://dorsetwomen.org.uk

Areas covered include: Breast Health, Cancer, Contraception, Fertility, Gynaecology, Menopause, Mental Health, Periods, Pelvic Health, Pregnancy, Prevention and Protection, and Sexual Health.

To compliment the website, Dorset Women have just launched a NEW Podcast on Women’s Health, ‘Speaking of Women’s Health’ featuring some of the NHS Clinicians and experts that helped inform the website! Hosted by Dorset Women’s Chair, , alongside co-host , the podcast series takes an indepth dive each episode into one of the 12 website subject areas.

Please take a look! Well done Dorset Women CIC 🙏

10/12/2025

It’s Wednesday Wellness Wish time! 🌻

Today’s wish is for Kindness, and today, I wish to treat myself gently.

In a busy world, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves, but practising self-kindness is vital for our mental health.

This week, try speaking to yourself kindly, letting go of some self-imposed pressure, or simply allowing yourself the gift of rest when you need it most.

We often offer patience and understanding to others; this week, let’s consciously offer it to ourselves.

How will you show yourself gentle kindness today?
It can be anything at all! We’d love to hear your wishes in the comments! 👇

Until next Wednesday, take a small step for your well-being this week.

09/12/2025

🎉 Wrapping Up the Last Course of the Year! 🎉

What an absolute pleasure it was to spend two days with 8 incredible adults for our final Mental Health First Aid course of the year. Your engagement, curiosity and commitment to learning made it a truly inspiring experience. 💛

My absolute highlight were the contributions - every single delegate being able to bring this content to life but being completely open to other experiences too, true group work.

The completion of this course marks a total of 107 brilliant individuals becoming MHFAiders® through Sunflower Thinking and a further 39 renewing their certificate this year!

Missed out this year? Don’t worry! You can join next year’s courses and take your step towards becoming a confident Mental Health First Aider.

Check out our full schedule and secure your spot via our website: Services | Sunflower Thinking

Here’s to more learning, growth and supporting each other in the year ahead! 🌟

08/12/2025

🌱 January Wellbeing Focus

A new year often brings talk of change, fresh starts and resolutions, but January is really about taking small, steady steps that support our wellbeing.

Here are a few key moments to reflect, reset and reconnect next month:

🗓 All of January – Dry January & Veganuary
Two movements encouraging us to rethink our habits, whether that’s taking a break from alcohol or exploring more plant-based choices. It’s not about perfection; it’s about noticing how different choices make us feel, physically and mentally.

🗓 19 January – Brew Monday / Blue Monday
Often labelled “the saddest day of the year,” but it doesn’t have to be. Brew Monday flips the script by encouraging us to reach out, check in and share a cuppa with someone who might need a lift. A simple conversation can change someone’s day.

🗓 30 January – Parent Mental Health Day
A reminder of the pressures parents face and the importance of supporting their mental wellbeing. It’s a day to highlight that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. (A very special announcement is coming soon!)

✨ In January, let’s focus on noticing what we need, being kinder to ourselves and creating space for real connection. 

How can you get involved?

05/12/2025

✨ A Week in the Life of a Mental Health Trainer & Business Owner ✨

Running a mental health and wellbeing training business means wearing… well, all the hats.

There’s the trainer hat - delivering sessions, supporting people through powerful conversations, guiding delegates and celebrating every win that happens in the training room. Big wins, small wins, even the “I finally understand myself better” wins.

There’s the business owner hat - prepping materials, refining programmes, answering emails, designing proposals and taking branding to a whole new comfort level because consistency is part of the mission.

There’s the human hat - trying to exercise (shoutout to the ongoing running journey), eating something nutritious at least once a day, sneaking in cleaning sessions during breaks because it genuinely resets the brain and popping across to Jersey on a tiny plane pretending to not be terrified and looking like I have it all together… even when I don’t. Oh and trying to keep up with the cricket……….

It’s a blend of holding space for others while trying to carve out space for myself.

A mix of supporting mental health while managing my own.

A rhythm of purpose, passion, people and personal growth.

✨ It’s busy, it’s meaningful, it’s colourful, it’s messy, it’s grounded and it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.

Let’s normalise the mental health conversation together, contact me for more information - I hope to work with you soon.

Creating hope through safe and positive training at Sunflower Thinking

03/12/2025

It’s Wednesday Wellness Wish time! 🌻

Today’s wish is for Gratitude, and today, I wish to appreciate what I already have.

Taking a moment to pause and notice the small, good things around us. The warm cup of tea, a moment of sunshine, or a supportive friend. can powerfully shift our mindset.

This practice can actively reset stress and boost overall happiness.
Invite your mind to name one thing you’re genuinely grateful for today.
It can be anything at all!

We’d love to hear your wishes (and your gratitude!) in the comments or tag someone you are grateful for👇

Until next Wednesday, take a small step for your well-being this week.