Sunflower Thinking, Bournemouth (2026)

01/03/2026

🌻 Well hello there March!

February had been a slightly quieter month here at Sunflower Thinking and it’s important to say this. I’m not afraid to say this, it’s real.

While there may have been fewer delivery days in the diary and moments I have felt uneasy, it’s been a month full of exciting projects, planning, thinking and prioritising.

🌱 A Reflection -�Quieter months can sometimes feel uncomfortable in business, for me imposter syndrome can start to rear its ugly head! But they are often where the real growth happens.

📅 Looking Ahead to March�With new programmes in development and delivery ramping up again, I’m stepping into March feeling focused, organised and energised.

In March I am particularly excited about - attending The Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards, I know it will be an inspirational event! A trip back to to see the lovely Kelly and team - I’ve been busy creating a tailored session and can’t wait to share it. I’m very much looking forward to .community getting underway with delivery to its first cohort - what an exciting project to be part of.
And a cheeky trip to Cornwall to change up my work environment for a few days - lets hope for more sunshine!

Thank you to everyone who continues to support, collaborate and champion mental health and wellbeing through Sunflower Thinking 💛

Here’s to steady progress — in business and beyond.

26/02/2026

Day in the Life of a Founder, Trainer and at its core… Human

People often see the Trainer.
Sometimes they see the Founder.
What they don’t always see is the Human part.

The part juggling energy, admin, ambition and an over optimistic challenge with my broadband provider 🤦🏻‍♀️

Here’s what today looked like:

6am – Session prep (and coffee)
Final refinements to three very different sessions:
• Higher education staff
• Emergency service professionals
• Guest speaker at an organisation’s All Hands

Different sectors. Different pressures. Same foundation: practical tools, psychological safety, clear expectations and compassion.

9am – Session #1 (Higher Education)
A face to face session on supporting those grieving while potentially grieving ourselves. Powerful, honest, necessary. I left wanting to stay longer and do more but I spoke from my heart.

11.15am – Session #2 (Emergency Services)
Online this time. Different energy. Familiar group. Reflective conversations about theory, boundaries of self and boundaries of role. Warm, focused and thoughtful.

12.20pm – Session #3 (All Hands Guest Speaker)
First time working with this organisation. 160 plus staff present. Exploring resilience in high performers and the human realities behind performance. The questions were sharp and fascinating.

1pm – Founder hat on
Emails. Proposals. Follow ups. Planning socials.
Also preparing for new tax reporting procedures. Yuck!
My zone of genius? No.
Part of responsible leadership? Yes.

Growth is not always glamorous but it can at least involve cosy slippers and a hoodie.

3pm – Session design time
Mapping outcomes. Stress testing exercises. Ensuring everything is evidence informed and usable on a busy Tuesday afternoon in the real world.

Evening reflection
Founder = strategy and responsibility.
Trainer = delivery and impact.
Human = energy management, learning curves and showing up imperfectly but consistently.

Tonight I’m choosing stillness. Processing. Resetting.

It’s a full plate.
It’s meaningful work.
And it’s built intentionally.

If you’re balancing multiple roles too, I see you.

24/02/2026

Ahead of - Stand Up to Bullying Day - 27 February

Bullying does not end when the moment passes.
Its impact can shape confidence, mental health, relationships and a person’s sense of safety for years - sometimes for life. I know.

Silence allows harm to continue.
Speaking up disrupts it.
And creating safe, inclusive spaces changes everything.

Let’s stand up:
• For those affected
• For those finding their voice
• For cultures built on respect, accountability and care

Everyone deserves to feel safe, seen and supported - every day.

23/02/2026

Who’s Supporting the Supporters in Your Organisation?

Work-related stress, depression and anxiety account for over 17 million working days lost each year in the UK - costing employers billions.

Many organisations have responded by training:

Mental Health First Aiders

Peer Supporters

Wellbeing or Mental Health Champions

But here’s the question we don’t ask enough:

Who is supporting them?

Behind every peer support network is someone:

Acting as an escalation point

Managing risk and safeguarding concerns

Holding confidentiality boundaries

Absorbing emotional weight

Balancing care with organisational governance

And often doing so without structured guidance, peer reflection or protective space.

If you manage, coordinate or oversee workplace mental health support networks, this session is for you.

Join us for:

“Supporting the Supporters: Building a Resilient Community of Practice”

📅 6th May
⏰ 9.30 – 1pm
💻 Live via Teams

In this practical, strategic session, we’ll explore how to:

✔ Create a psychologically safe, high-trust peer support community
✔ Establish clear boundaries and clear escalation pathways
✔ Make network meetings purposeful and protective
✔ Prevent compassion fatigue and quiet burnout
✔ Strengthen governance without losing humanity
✔ Build a sustainable, credible community of practice

You’ll leave with:

🔹 A ready-to-use meeting framework
🔹 A group charter template
🔹 Escalation mapping guidance
🔹 Tools to protect your supporters and yourself
🔹 Practical initiatives you can implement immediately

Because having Mental Health Champions is one thing.
Building a safe, structured, sustainable support ecosystem around them is another.

👉 Secure your place and join us on 6th May to strengthen the foundations of your organisation’s mental health strategy. Email hello@sunflowerthinking.com - Price for course attendance and all resources - £75.

If you're responsible for the people who hold others - this space is for 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.

19/02/2026

Every month at Sunflower Thinking we celebrate someone who is determined to move the narrative on mental health forward. These are the people making a difference, sparking conversations and inspiring change.

This month, we applaud Maria Tidy from Growing Communities Networking located in Bournemouth.

Maria is making waves by connecting people who support those experiencing poor mental health. Her network is simple yet brilliant: it’s open to anyone working with or supporting people with mental health challenges, creating a space to share resources, share ideas and make meaningful contacts - it’s a monthly event perfectly
pitched once a month on a Monday morning, what a way to start the week!

Maria reached out to me last year - and I am so glad she did.

Join us in celebrating Maria and the incredible work she’s doing to make mental health support more connected and accessible!

Learn more about the mission and events at https://buytickets.at/plantsandminds . The ticket tailor link has details of the next networking event which takes place on 9th March.

18/02/2026

What do managers really need to support wellbeing & mental health in 2026? 🤔

The role of a manager is constantly evolving.
Being a manager is never about being a therapist… but it is about having the right skills, confidence and systems around you.

Based on what UK organisations are prioritising, here’s what’s rising to the top 👇

🧠 Mental health literacy
Managers need a solid grounding in mental health basics - spotting early signs, reducing stigma and knowing what to do next (and what not to do).

💬 Confidence with real conversations
Not scripts. Not tick-boxes.
Training that helps managers have authentic, human conversations about stress, burnout and wellbeing - and respond safely when things escalate.

🔥 Burnout prevention, not just awareness
Workload balance, recovery strategies and recognising burnout before performance drops or people disengage.

🛟 Psychological first aid skills
Knowing how to offer initial support, create psychological safety and confidently signpost professional help.

🌱 Inclusive, trauma-informed leadership
Understanding neurodiversity, trauma and how mental health intersects with identity - so support actually works for everyone.

🏠 Hybrid & digital wellbeing
Supporting dispersed teams, using on-demand learning and embracing digital tools that meet people where they are.

📊 Wellbeing as a business strategy
Managers need clarity on how wellbeing links to retention, engagement and performance - and how to measure what’s working.

Over to you:

What do you think managers will need most to support wellbeing and mental health in 2026?
What’s missing right now - skills, confidence, time or organisational backing?

👇 Drop your thoughts below. Let’s shape what good leadership looks like next.

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

Photo by the brilliant and always there to listen and support 💛

16/02/2026

Over the last three or so years, I’ve been incredibly lucky to drop into cast rehearsals for Spitfire Girls to give input on mental health, trauma and grief - specifically how these themes inform and shape honest, human storytelling. What an honour.

Today I was back again with the cast - answering their questions, sharing both professional insight and personal experience and as always it was such a beautiful hour of my time. To be able to use what I’ve learned to help shape, in even the smallest way, a production like this is genuinely humbling.

Spitfire Girls, written by Katherine Senior and presented by Tilted Wig Productions, tells a powerful, under-told story inspired by the true experiences of women pilots from WWII - exploring strength, courage, loss and hope through their shared history and extraordinary bond.

Katherine is an incredible human - so passionate about bringing this beautiful and moving story to life and I feel truly privileged to play a small role in supporting the cast as they bring such emotional depth and honesty to the work.

In May, I finally get to see the whole production live at Salisbury Playhouse and I’m feeling truly proud and excited

Get your tickets here: https://www.tiltedwigproductions.com/book-now

If these subjects have sparked your interest and you would like to learn more, this course may be just what you are looking for:
Grief, Loss and Trauma: Healing Through Understanding
This tailored course focuses on understanding the emotional impact of grief, the many forms of loss, and how we may respond to them. We’ll explore key theories of grief, different types of loss and gain insight into trauma, its effects on mental health and how to recognise signs of distress.
The session also covers practical ways to offer support to ourselves and others through these difficult experiences.

Check out the full course on our services page: https://sunflowerthinking.com/services

12/02/2026

🌼March Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness Dates for your diary! 🌼

March is full of opportunities to promote connection, understanding and wellbeing: so much going on in March!

🗓 8th March – International Women’s Day
Celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality, including in health and wellbeing.

🗓 10th March – Whole Self Day
Encouraging us to bring our whole selves to work and life, recognising the importance of holistic wellbeing.

12th March – University Mental Health Day
Shining a spotlight on student mental health and creating supportive communities across campuses.

🗓 13th March – World Sleep Day
Highlighting the vital role sleep plays in our physical health, mood and overall wellbeing.

🗓 16th–20th March – Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Challenging stereotypes and celebrating the strengths and talents of neurodivergent people.

🗓 20th March – International Day of Happiness
A global reminder that happiness and wellbeing matter for individuals and communities alike.

🗓 30th March – World Bipolar Day
Raising awareness and understanding of bipolar disorder and promoting support for those living with this mental health condition.

How can you make a difference on any of these days? As always I would love to connect and facilitate any sessions that help bring these subjects to life. Take a look at my updated Services Page to find out more! https://sunflowerthinking.com/services

Let’s use this next month to learn, connect and support one another 🌟

08/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 - 9th to 15th February 💛
Theme: This Is My Place

This year Place2Be Children’s Mental Health Week focuses on the people, spaces and systems that surround our children - the peers, families, schools and communities that shape their everyday lives.

The theme “This Is My Place” encourages us to reflect on how we can create inclusive, safe and nurturing environments where children and young people feel a sense of belonging. When children feel accepted, valued and supported, their mental health and wellbeing can truly flourish.

Whether it’s at home, in school, or within the wider community, we all have a role to play. By listening, showing kindness and creating spaces where children feel confident to be themselves, we help them feel secure enough to say: “This is my place.”

For more information, ideas and free resources to help support children and young people’s mental health, visit:
👉 https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

Together, let’s build communities where every child feels they belong 🌱

06/02/2026

I’ll be honest. I’ve been struggling to find my motivation so far this year. To move more. To eat healthier. To do the things I know are good for me.

It’s reminded me of something important.

We all want change… but wanting vs doing can be a challenge. The real magic is finding what keeps you going once that initial burst of motivation fades.

For me, it tends to be:
👉 Accountability
🎯 Setting a clear goal and starting with small steps
📣 Sharing my progress, because once I’ve said it out loud, I’m far more likely to follow through with a plan.

But motivation looks different for everyone.

So I’m curious…

What actually motivates YOU to make a behaviour change?

👇 Your turn. What works for you?
• 🧍‍♀️ Accountability (a coach, friend, group, public goals)
• 📊 Seeing progress (tracking, numbers, streaks)
• 🧠 Mindset shifts (identity, “this is just who I am now”)
• 🏆 Rewards or milestones
• 🔥 A strong why (health, family, confidence, energy)
• 😬 Fear of going backwards
• 💬 Something else?

Drop it in the comments ⬇️

You might say something that helps someone else unlock their next change 💛

✨ Bonus question: what’s one behaviour you’re trying to change right now?

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

Sunflower Thinking

01/03/2026

26/02/2026

24/02/2026

23/02/2026

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

16/02/2026

12/02/2026

08/02/2026

06/02/2026

12/01/2026

18/12/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share