I have worked within the field of corporate training for 20 years and during that time I have built experience within blue chip corporate, medical, civil service and charitable sector environments.

One of the most valued skills for a successful roleplayer is the appropriate use of feedback to really consolidate any learning. My consistency and eye for detail in a brief and in feedback is one of my key strengths. These skills led to my being requested to trial new briefs for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, prior to roll out. I have also been specifically booked to do train the trainer days to demonstrate new scenarios for the team of assessors on an FCO Assessment Centre contract and for Guys and St. Thomas’s hospital.

If experiential learning is to work effectively though, especially with nervous or resistant participants, we have to provide a safe environment in which the experience is as true to life as possible. I thrive on that challenge. If a participant says “ Oh my God, you were EXACTLY like her! Right, I’m going back to my office and I’m going to have that conversation for real”, then that is a fantastic feeling. If an angry and resistant participant goes from “ I hate roleplay. This is a total waste of time” to “ I actually learned something I didn’t know there. I’d never thought of it from that point of view. “ then that is a massive achievement!

I absolutely relish that I can use my versatility and naturalistic acting style, to help people gain skills in their work roles and often find confidence in themselves that can benefit them more holistically.

I have worked within the field of corporate training for 20 years and during that time I have built experience within blue chip corporate, medical, civil service and charitable sector environments.

One of the most valued skills for a successful roleplayer is the appropriate use of feedback to really consolidate any learning. My consistency and eye for detail in a brief and in feedback is one of my key strengths. These skills led to my being requested to trial new briefs for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, prior to roll out. I have also been specifically booked to do train the trainer days to demonstrate new scenarios for the team of assessors on an FCO Assessment Centre contract and for Guys and St. Thomas’s hospital.

If experiential learning is to work effectively though, especially with nervous or resistant participants, we have to provide a safe environment in which the experience is as true to life as possible. I thrive on that challenge. If a participant says “ Oh my God, you were EXACTLY like her! Right, I’m going back to my office and I’m going to have that conversation for real”, then that is a fantastic feeling. If an angry and resistant participant goes from “ I hate roleplay. This is a total waste of time” to “ I actually learned something I didn’t know there. I’d never thought of it from that point of view. “ then that is a massive achievement!

I absolutely relish that I can use my versatility and naturalistic acting style, to help people gain skills in their work roles and often find confidence in themselves that can benefit them more holistically.

Communication Skills Coach

In Autumn 2016, I started a year long commitment with Interact to 26 Transport for London Tube station Managers to be their Skills Coach. These are effectively role play surgeries in which I am the dedicated coach for staff who are new to people managment. During the hour long sessions, they can practice any area of interpersonal interaction with colleagues or customers they feel would benefit them most. It is a test of all my skills in negotiation, conflict management, dealing with difficult situations and building trust, to help them with some practical skills to better manage their new roles. Although it is hard work, every one of my coachees so far has left our session feeling more positive and empowered than at the start of the session. Both quotes at the top of the page are direct quotes from these sessions.

Methodology

I have experience in all the different delivery methods of experiential learning too…

• Scripted scenes into Forum theatre
• Improvised but prescriptive scenarios based on a clear brief in assessment centres
• Monologues as a springboard for discussion
• Longer form simulation exercises / ‘Realplay’ scenarios based on actual people with whom the participant wants to practice
• One – to – One skills practice to boost confidence in managing people
• Facilitation of understanding around personality preference models such as MBTI and INSIGHTS
• Roleplays that provide a platform to practice various coaching models for developing staff
• Filming of corporate videos for in house or intranet/ e-learning training

Methodology

I have experience in all the different delivery methods of experiential learning too…

• Scripted scenes into Forum theatre
• Improvised but prescriptive scenarios based on a clear brief in assessment centres
• Monologues as a springboard for discussion
• Longer form simulation exercises / ‘Realplay’ scenarios based on actual people with whom the participant wants to practice
• One – to – One skills practice to boost confidence in managing people
• Facilitation of understanding around personality preference models such as MBTI and INSIGHTS
• Roleplays that provide a platform to practice various coaching models for developing staff
• Filming of corporate videos for in house or intranet/ e-learning training