Sunflower Thinking, Bournemouth (2026)

02/06/2026

As we approach National PTSD Awareness Day on 27th June, I’m proud to be launching a new workshop:
Trauma-Informed Practice: Supporting Others, Supporting Ourselves.

For more than 20 years, I have worked alongside individuals experiencing trauma, adversity, homelessness, mental ill-health, crisis, loss and complex life experiences. Alongside this professional work, my own lived experiences have continually reinforced one important truth:
Trauma changes people - emotionally, cognitively, physiologically and relationally. But with safety, understanding, compassion and the right support, healing and growth are possible.

This workshop has been designed specifically for professionals supporting others through difficult experiences, while also recognising the emotional impact that helping roles can have on us personally.
Together we will explore:
* How trauma affects the brain and body
* PTSD, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue
* Trauma-informed approaches in practice
* Emotional regulation and nervous system awareness
* Sustainable support, boundaries and self-care

Most importantly, this is not a workshop that ends in heaviness.
Delegates will leave feeling informed, empowered, reflective, and equipped with practical tools to support both the people they work with and themselves.

Because trauma-informed practice must also include self-awareness, self-compassion and sustainable wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about the workshop and how this training could support your team or organisation, please get in touch.

29/05/2026

May Round-Up with Sunflower Thinking 🌻

May has been a month of lots of sunshine, better connections, celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week/Month through ACTION, setting new running goals, BIG celebrations for Mr Sunflower Thinking and polar moments of concern and happiness - running your own business continues to inspire, stretch and keep me on my toes! Oh and a sprinkling of annual leave in beautiful France.

What May Looked Like -
Delivered a range of wellbeing and mental health sessions across different sectors, supporting individuals and teams to prioritise positive wellbeing. Everything from Grief, Menopause, Mental Health Champions, MHFA and launching new sessions like Supporting the Supporters, I have found such value in the mixture of conversations and reflections. All in all delivering training to over 430 people across this beautiful globe.

A Personal Highlight -
Finally being able to watch Spitfire Girls production - it was so special for so many reasons, truly remarkable and very needed story telling, I got to enjoy it with a close friend and I was featured in the programme!! Go see it if you can!

Looking Ahead to June
Completing the 10k Race for Life with one of my dearest friends, delivering some wonderful bespoke workshops across the country in person and online, launching a new session - keep your eyes peeled (it links to National PTSD Day in June) and balancing my busiest month of they year yet with pauses and intentional life time.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has supported, collaborated and connected with Sunflower Thinking throughout May. Every conversation and shared experience continues to reinforce the importance of prioritising mental health and wellbeing. It keeps me certain on the uncertain days that this work really matters and that Sunflower Thinking is making a true difference.

Here’s to stepping into June with clarity, positivity and momentum.

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

28/05/2026

Race for Life for Cancer Research UK 10k training in action… and proof that not all training runs go to plan!

Like most people, I’m really struggling to exercise in this heat, and with my body changing so much too, I’m finding it harder to find that comfortable pace and momentum again.

So what should have been a nice 5k ended up being, at best, a run/walk 4k 😅 But the important thing is… I’ll try again. And keep trying. Pushing through my comfort zone one step at a time.

Cancer Research is so, so important to me, and that reason is bigger than any tough training session so here we go!

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marie-clares-race-for-life-8

15/05/2026

Day 5 of Mental Health Awareness Week and what a way to finish the week!

I ended on a real high with a full day delivering Wellbeing Champions training on behalf of Wellity 🎉 A fantastic group of people who are genuinely committed to taking ACTION to support wellbeing within their workplaces and communities.

That’s been the theme running through this entire week - action.

Not just talking about mental health, but creating conversations, building confidence, refreshing skills, learning how to support others and making wellbeing part of everyday culture.

This week I’ve had the privilege of working with so many brilliant people and fantastic organisations and every conversation has reinforced how much progress is being made when people are willing to show up, learn and support one another.

On a personal note, alongside a very busy week of training and facilitation, I’ve also been training for my next 10k next month. I completed Couch to 5k and managed my longest run of the year so far — 7k! A reminder to myself that wellbeing and resilience are built one step at a time too.

Now it’s time for some rest, more celebrations for my husband’s big birthday (seriously… the celebrations are ongoing!), and then a week away next week.

A huge thank you to everyone I’ve spoken with this week who has taken action in some way, whether through training, conversations, reflection or support. It’s been an absolute pleasure 💛

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

14/05/2026

Today, on Day 4 of Mental Health Awareness Week, I had the privilege of delivering Module 10: Time Management & Adaptability for the Snowball Programme.

This session gave me so much opportunity for reflection - especially on all the times I’ve wanted to control the uncontrollable when it comes to facilitation! From technology failing, to conversations going unexpectedly deep, to carefully planned timings disappearing completely… I shared a few personal anecdotes today that reminded us all that facilitation is often about responding, not perfecting.

In wellbeing spaces especially, adaptability, boundaries and sustainable time management are not luxuries, they’re essential.

As facilitators, we hold space for others constantly, and that can sometimes come at the expense of holding space for ourselves.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme of Action felt particularly fitting. Because sometimes action isn’t about doing more, it’s about recognising when to pause, flex, reset expectations, or let go of needing everything to go exactly to plan (note to self!)

What felt really important today was the shared experiences, lessening the isolation that can be experienced by trainers - it was a great chance to debrief, chuckle a little and know we are not alone!

If you’re a wellbeing trainer, coach or facilitator looking for connection, growth and support, there are still opportunities to join future Snowball cohorts this year.

👉 Find out more & get involved: https://www.thisissnowball.com/

Let’s keep turning awareness into action, together.

13/05/2026

Day 3 of Mental Health Awareness Week and another brilliant day focused on action and surrounded by brilliant people!

Delivering MHFA Refresher this morning, real action right there! Keeping skills fresh, confidence high and continuing to create supportive environments where mental health conversations can happen openly and safely. It was fantastic to be back in the presence of staff from Better Care, always a pleasure working alongside people who genuinely care about making a difference.

Later in the day, I facilitated a session on psychological safety in high performing teams on behalf of the fantastic . Such an insightful topic, especially exploring how high performers can often feel pressure to always “have it together,” and how psychological safety creates space for honesty, challenge, growth and support.

Awareness matters BUT action matters more.

13/05/2026

New free resource 🌻

I’m continuing The Supportive Conversation Series - a six-month journey exploring how we can better support the people around us.

Each month focuses on a different skill: noticing when someone might be struggling, starting supportive conversations, listening with care and following up.

Part 3: Validating feelings
When someone shares how they’re feeling, our instinct is often to fix, reassure or make it better.
This month’s resource is about validation - how to respond in ways that help people feel heard, not hurried.
It’s a small shift that makes a big difference.

Sign up to the mailing list to download the free guide:
🔗 https://sunflowerthinking.com/sign-up-page-2

If you have already signed up you will be receiving this download in today's email update.

Being understood can be more powerful than being advised.

Part 4 coming in June, let us know what you think and how you are using this series 💛

12/05/2026

Day two of Mental Health Awareness Week and what a powerful one it’s been at Sunflower Thinking 💛

A new group of brilliant people have now completed their training and become MHFAiders®, stepping up to be the kind of first response support so many workplaces and communities need. It’s always meaningful to see people choose to show up for mental health in such a practical, committed way.

What I loved about this group was the curiosity, reframing, checking in around how to apply specific skills to specific situations - really tailoring their learning honestly and purposefully - well done all of you!

This is exactly what Mental Health Awareness Week is about: turning awareness into action and action into real-world support.

If you’re thinking about taking that step too, the next dates for Mental Health First Aid England courses are now available via my services page: https://sunflowerthinking.com

More updates to come as the week continues!

11/05/2026

Day one of Mental Health Awareness Week and what a way to kick start the week off 🌻

Mental Health Awareness Week reminder: Those of us working in mental health are excellent at reminding everyone else to rest, hydrate, set boundaries and seek support…
…while replying to emails at 10:47pm with one eye twitching and a coffee we reheated three times. ☕😅

My talk today at the Growing Communities Networking event wasn’t really about awareness, this sector has awareness in abundance.

It was about action.

One small action for ourselves.
One small action for our workplaces and communities.

Because culture doesn’t change through posters, campaigns or wellbeing fruit bowls appearing mysteriously in staff kitchens once a year 🍌

It changes through repeated everyday behaviours:
✨ honest conversations
✨ realistic boundaries
✨ compassionate leadership
✨ psychologically safe teams
✨ permission to be human
Very aligned with the values at the heart of Sunflower Thinking, connection, reflection, growth and creating environments where people can genuinely flourish, not just function.

08/05/2026

Lots to focus on in June that can start some powerful conversations and actions on and around Mental Health and Wellbeing - this is not an exhaustive list!

June — Pride Month.
This month we celebrate identity, inclusion, acceptance and the importance of safe spaces where everyone can thrive. Mental wellbeing starts with being able to show up as your authentic self.

7 June — Tourette’s Awareness Day.
Awareness creates understanding. Today we recognise and support people living with Tourette’s while helping challenge stigma and misconceptions.

15–21 June — Men’s Health Week.
This week encourages open conversations around men’s physical and mental wellbeing. Looking after your health is a strength, not a weakness.

15–21 June — Loneliness Awareness Week.
Loneliness can affect anyone. Reaching out, starting conversations and creating connection can help people feel seen and supported.

24–30 June — World Wellbeing Week.
Wellbeing is more than self-care - it’s about balance, connection, purpose and support in every area of life. Take time this week to prioritise you.

27 June — PTSD Awareness Day
Awareness leads to understanding, support, and hope. Today we stand with everyone affected by PTSD and encourage compassionate conversations around trauma.

Let me know if I can support with facilitating any workshops to mark these key dates!

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

Sunflower Thinking

02/06/2026

29/05/2026

28/05/2026

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

13/05/2026

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08/05/2026

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