What we do

We offer organisations (NHS and others) and individual professionals a comprehensive range of services including:

• One to one Coaching and Mentoring
• Team facilitation
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills Development for groups and individuals
• Coaching for Health and Wellbeing Training
• Continuing Professional Development

A coaching relationship is a partnership of equals and is driven by the coachee who decides on the issue they want to discuss in advance of each meeting. This should include anything that is impacting on their life and work, including wellbeing, and does not need to be confined to work-related topics. The role of the coach is to support the coachee, and to help them to identify and achieve their goals (both the small and every day, as well as the big and longer term). This involves enabling the coachee to find the self-confidence and resourcefulness to make positive changes in their life. The emphasis is on active listening, prompting, and challenging, when needed. Exercises and coaching tools are used when appropriate. ‘Homework’ is often agreed for the coachee to complete between sessions. Advice is rarely given (we know that it is much more useful and effective for the coachee to work out their own solutions). However, a coach will be happy to offer their observations and sometimes information, if appropriate. Sessions are usually several weeks apart as this allows time for reflection and for change to take place between sessions.

It is important to note that coaching is not a substitute for counselling or psychotherapy. Some coachees face difficulties with their mental health at times, and if this is the case, the coach will signpost them to more appropriate resources, whilst continuing to support them in their capacity as a coach, where possible.

Executive coaching/mentoring improves motivation, morale and retention within organisations. It helps professionals move from being good at their jobs to becoming outstanding. It helps create a culture of excellence, innovation and high performance. This is supported by evidence such as the Garvey B, Garrett-Harris R (2005) literature review and Oxford Brookes' evaluation of our own services.

See "Coaching in a Nutshell" video Video - Coaching in a Nutshell

Increasingly many organisations provide internal coaching for their employees. This can be very helpful and is often accompanied by an organisation wide 'coaching approach' however the benefits can be limited. An external coach is free from internal politics, tensions with interpersonal relationships, conflicts between individual and organisational aims and especially for senior members of the team brings a fresh non-biased and objective perspective.

We therefore strongly believe that independent coaching and mentoring provides a safer environment and is more productive than coaching provided internally.

The benefits of coaching with FMC include:

• An opportunity to clarify and work towards your professional and personal goals;
• An opportunity to identify and overcome any barriers (both internal and external) that are preventing you from making progress;
• Increased job satisfaction;
• Reduced stress levels;
• Improved work-life balance;
• Insight and useful observations from an experienced coach.

Normally our coaching/mentoring service includes the following:

• Our experienced matchers will offer you at least 3 coaches from which you can select the one who seems most suited to you

• Everyone’s coaching needs are different, so at the outset the programme is always designed and agreed to align with the individual's needs

• Three 90 minute sessions, with your coach/mentor. Further sessions are available afterwards, if needed

• Normally, sessions are around 4-6 weeks apart, allowing the client time to work on what has been discussed

• A number of coaching tools and techniques will be used to help develop awareness and deeper insight

• All coaching and mentoring sessions are confidential between the client and the coach. All our staff adhere to the EMCC Global Code of Ethics.

FMC has particular expertise in delivering coaching skills training to groups of professionals to improve their communication and leadership capabilities.

There is no need to complete all the training needed to become a coach to benefit from acquiring key coaching skills.

Our training is suitable for all professional groups, including appraisers, educationalists, trainees, consultants and other healthcare professionals.

Learning coaching skills will enhance your ability:

• To have focused conversations with colleagues.
• To lead a team.
• To think through and action solutions.
• To provide feedback in a way in which it can be well-received and acted on.
• To have conversations with patients which will encourage behavioural change (Coaching for Health).
• The FMC offers half day (3h), whole day and 3-5 day training courses, depending on the requirement of the group.

Training can be for groups or individuals (we make up small groups from individuals who apply). It can be either in person or online. Our next small group Introduction to Coaching Skills training will take place on 1st and 3rd October 2024 - 2 x afternoon sessions on ZOOM. Please see flyer below.

For further information and costings please contact: [email protected]