Carole Spiers 🎤 Stress, Resilience and Wellbeing Public Speaker

I am delighted to have been appointed chair of the Hampstead Garden Suburb u3a [University of the Third Age]. My vision is to nurture a sense of community, inviting individuals from all walks of life to come together in pursuit of enrichment and camaraderie.

I hope to embody the essence of the u3a’s mission, paving the way for vibrant and intellectually stimulating experiences that transcend age and embody the true essence of lifelong learning.

Guided and supported by a… Show more

I am delighted to have been appointed chair of the Hampstead Garden Suburb u3a [University of the Third Age]. My vision is to nurture a sense of community, inviting individuals from all walks of life to come together in pursuit of enrichment and camaraderie.

I hope to embody the essence of the u3a’s mission, paving the way for vibrant and intellectually stimulating experiences that transcend age and embody the true essence of lifelong learning.

Guided and supported by a dedicated team of Trustees and Advisors, my purpose unfolds through the steadfast pursuit of the three fundamental pillars: Community, Communication, and Collaboration.

The past year has seen a growth in membership, and I'm pleased to announce the launch of two new community services: the Easy Rider scheme, which assists members in attending our main meetings, and the Community Services Coordinator, who reaches out to individuals in need of support.

The u3a network boasts an impressive array of over 1,000 branches, with the southeastern region alone contributing approximately 20% to this nationwide count. A sweeping testament to its popularity, u3a has garnered a substantial membership base, encompassing around 400,000 individuals across the United Kingdom. The inclusivity of u3a is its hallmark, as the sole requirement for membership is one's non-engagement in full-time employment.

https://hgsu3a.uk/ Show less

I take immense pride in being a part of the Dreamcatcher Foundation and working towards eradicating poverty, building stronger communities, and reducing unemployment for the past 20 years. Being associated with this organisation has provided me with an opportunity to work closely with local entrepreneurs in the Western Cape townships of South Africa and provide them with marketing expertise to help them develop their micro businesses.

I am passionate about delivering motivational… Show more

I take immense pride in being a part of the Dreamcatcher Foundation and working towards eradicating poverty, building stronger communities, and reducing unemployment for the past 20 years. Being associated with this organisation has provided me with an opportunity to work closely with local entrepreneurs in the Western Cape townships of South Africa and provide them with marketing expertise to help them develop their micro businesses.

I am passionate about delivering motivational empowerment programs that foster entrepreneurial growth within these communities. Witnessing the innovative ideas that come from the youth in particular, who are eager to improve their lives, has been a humbling experience. The impact of focused training that unleashes untapped potential is undeniable, and it is a privilege to be a part of this journey.

As an international motivational speaker, I feel honored to share my experiences and inspire others to make a positive impact in their communities and work towards building a sustainable future. It gives me great joy to deliver keynote presentations at high-profile conferences about the work that I have carried out alongside the Dreamcatcher Foundation. I hope that my contributions inspire others to join us in our quest to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

www.dreamcatchersouthafrica.com Show less

Working with the Crisis at Christmas program has been a truly heartwarming experience for me. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with the program on two separate occasions, and each time has been a reminder of the importance of supporting those who are in need, especially during the holiday season.

The Crisis at Christmas program provides a week of support, care, and meals for those who are struggling with housing accommodation. Guests are able to come to the centre and receive a… Show more

Working with the Crisis at Christmas program has been a truly heartwarming experience for me. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with the program on two separate occasions, and each time has been a reminder of the importance of supporting those who are in need, especially during the holiday season.

The Crisis at Christmas program provides a week of support, care, and meals for those who are struggling with housing accommodation. Guests are able to come to the centre and receive a range of services, from haircuts to medical check-ups to a delicious Christmas lunch. The program is a lifeline for many people, and it is inspiring to see the impact that it has on their lives.

As a volunteer with the program, I have had the opportunity to meet a diverse range of individuals and learn about their experiences. It is truly humbling to be able to offer support and care to those who are often overlooked by society.

Overall, my experiences with the Crisis at Christmas program have been incredibly rewarding. The program is a reminder of the importance of kindness, compassion, and community, and it is an honour to be able to contribute to its vital work. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this special week, and I look forward to continuing to support the program in the future.

www.crisis.org.uk Show less

As someone who is passionate about leadership development, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Ella Forums program. It is a unique platform that is designed to inspire and develop the leaders of charities and social enterprises to grow their organisations and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

My role in the program has involved delivering interactive presentations to Ella Forums chapter meetings throughout the UK. Specifically, I focus on topics such… Show more

As someone who is passionate about leadership development, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Ella Forums program. It is a unique platform that is designed to inspire and develop the leaders of charities and social enterprises to grow their organisations and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

My role in the program has involved delivering interactive presentations to Ella Forums chapter meetings throughout the UK. Specifically, I focus on topics such as stress management, resilience building, effective communication, and navigating change. I believe that these are critical skills that every leader must possess in order to succeed in their roles and drive their organisations towards positive change.

Being a part of the Ella Forums program has been an enriching experience for me personally, as I get to interact with like-minded individuals who are committed to making a positive difference in the world. I am proud to be associated with an organisation that is dedicated to developing the next generation of socially responsible leaders, and I encourage others to learn more about this fantastic program by visiting their website at www.ella-forums.org. Show less

Being a telephone volunteer at the Samaritans for over 20 years has been a truly transformative experience for me. As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to speak to countless individuals who were going through difficult times in their lives, and it was a humbling experience to be able to provide a listening ear and support to those who were feeling desperate, lonely or suicidal.

The Samaritans are an incredible organisation, with a team of dedicated volunteers who are available 24/7 to… Show more

Being a telephone volunteer at the Samaritans for over 20 years has been a truly transformative experience for me. As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to speak to countless individuals who were going through difficult times in their lives, and it was a humbling experience to be able to provide a listening ear and support to those who were feeling desperate, lonely or suicidal.

The Samaritans are an incredible organisation, with a team of dedicated volunteers who are available 24/7 to provide support to anyone who needs it. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this team and contributed to their vital work.

In addition to my telephone work with the Samaritans, I also became a prison visitor at Wormwood Scrubs and delivered programmes on post trauma stress to humanitarian aid workers in Novi Sad, Serbia, during the former Yugoslavian war during the 1990's. These experiences allowed me to broaden my horizons and develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in different situations.

Overall, my experiences with the Samaritans and other humanitarian efforts have been incredibly rewarding, and have taught me the importance of compassion, empathy, and the power of listening to others. I am grateful for the opportunities that these experiences have provided me with, and I hope to continue making a positive impact in the lives of those around me.

Contact the Samaritans: Tel: 116 123 Show less

During the 1990s, I had the privilege of contributing to humanitarian efforts in Novi Sad, Serbia, amidst the civil war in former Yugoslavia. My role involved delivering training programs to aid workers for Befrienders International and the George Soros Foundation.

Drawing on my expertise as a trauma debriefer, I was able to provide much-needed support to refugees affected by the conflict. My training programs equipped aid workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively… Show more

During the 1990s, I had the privilege of contributing to humanitarian efforts in Novi Sad, Serbia, amidst the civil war in former Yugoslavia. My role involved delivering training programs to aid workers for Befrienders International and the George Soros Foundation.

Drawing on my expertise as a trauma debriefer, I was able to provide much-needed support to refugees affected by the conflict. My training programs equipped aid workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively respond to the trauma and emotional distress experienced by refugees.

I am proud of my contributions to these humanitarian efforts, which reflect my deep commitment to helping individuals and communities in need. It was a humbling and fulfilling experience to support vulnerable populations in times of crisis and offer a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of war. Show less

Between 1979 and 1985, I had the privilege of working with other campaigners for the 35's - the Women's Campaign for Soviet Jewry. Throughout this period, I made six trips to the former Soviet Union to visit refuseniks, [individuals who were not allowed to leave the Soviet Union], and provide support on their journey to freedom.

As part of my involvement in heading up the Brent 35's, I led efforts to campaign on behalf of many refuseniks, working tirelessly to raise awareness and… Show more

Between 1979 and 1985, I had the privilege of working with other campaigners for the 35's - the Women's Campaign for Soviet Jewry. Throughout this period, I made six trips to the former Soviet Union to visit refuseniks, [individuals who were not allowed to leave the Soviet Union], and provide support on their journey to freedom.

As part of my involvement in heading up the Brent 35's, I led efforts to campaign on behalf of many refuseniks, working tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for their release. This was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling roles I have ever undertaken.

The opportunity to stand in solidarity with those seeking freedom and to witness their resilience in the face of adversity was both humbling and inspiring. My involvement in the Women's Campaign for Soviet Jewry remains a source of pride and a testament to the power of collective action in the pursuit of justice and human rights. Show less

I was trained as a Relate relationship counsellor and was part of a team dedicated to helping people rebuild their relationships. Using the person-centered model of counselling, I have developed a valuable set of skills that I use to support others every day.

I do my best to have a positive impact on people's lives and help them find greater happiness and fulfillment in their relationships.