Ben's face

Harnessing Courage & Curiosity for Change

Ben Carter is a coach and facilitator supporting individuals, teams and organisations through change. In every moment we are going through change, whether we notice it or not. Big changes or small changes, Ben is here to support you and ensure you maximise opportunities for growth, learning and success.How Ben Can HelpFor individuals, Ben offers 1-2-1 coaching to gain clarity, identify opportunities or solve challenges. Sailing with you to navigate the external waves and internal winds of change so that you arrive at your desired destination after a satisfying journey. Learn more about coaching.For groups and teams you can access group coaching and facilitation work or perhaps you fancy updating skills with training in a workshop?Want to know more before jumping in to work with Ben? You can find out more about him or get in contact


Everything changes and nothing stands still
--- Heraclitus of Ephesus

Coaching

Coaching is partnering with you in an process of curiosity and creativity that inspires you to maximise your potential. Essentially, you and I will be working as a team to identify steps you want to take to make your life as fulfilling as possible. You are free to bring any opportunity or challenge to the table. These might be professional or personal issues. If it is taking up space in your daily experience I recommend raising it.My role is to listen, ask questions, observe, challenge, offer feedback, discern and declare your brilliance. I work with you to identify what you need to change or accept to move towards a more fulfilling experience. In the first session, we will set clear objectives on what you want to achieve. After that, each session will be different, and will be guided by what you want to work on at the time.Crucially, your coaching is defined by you. I believe you are naturally creative and resourceful - most of the insights or decisions will come from you, not me. I will offer reflection or guidance but you are the expert in your own life.


Sounds good? The next step is for us to have a chat. This 45 minute call is a chance for us to get to know each other without any commitment.You know you want coaching; or you think maybe, possibly, coaching could probably be useful. This is an opportunity to find out about me, and working with me.We will talk about how i structure my work, the frequency of our conversations, your aims, and all the good logistical bits around that. We will also do some coaching.At the end of the call there's no need to make any decisions, but you will have a clearer idea if working with me is a great big "YES!" or something else instead.

Working with Groups

Perhaps you're clear that you need a general facilitator, a group coach, or an Action Learning Set facilitator? In that case, get in touch.Maybe you're still thinking about the type of support your assembly of people needs? Read on for a brief overview.

Facilitation is easing the flow of information, ideas & actions within an existing group. Whether it's creating yearly objectives, designing new processes, or building a solution, a facilitator enhances team or group work.Group Coaching is a joint endeavour to support individuals' growth. Group coaching involves two or more people meeting regularly with one or more coaches. Participants gain insights from coaching and from the experiences of others.Action Learning Sets are a powerful way for people in aligned roles, perhaps across a company or institution; or people operating in a similar environment or geographical region; to learn and grow together. The people meet regulrarly and update the group on actions taken and what has been learnt. This accelerates the learning of the whole group.

Workshops

Between 60 minutes and 2 hours, Ben delivers workshops for organisations and developed a programme of workshops on personal development themes such as resilience, influence and time management.

Contact Ben to discuss your team or organisational workshop needs, or subscribe to his Eventbrite feed to discover more opportunities to learn, share and experiment.


I found Ben brought a gentle, nourishing approach to facilitation, in a way that felt deeply rooted but was 'everyday accessible' rather than esoteric....something that felt powerful in helping those of us in the workshop open and share experiences and insights. Thanks Ben!
--- Have More... Love workshop participantparticipant

About

Ben's sat crossed legged, looking up and to his left.

Hello, I'm Ben. I love people and supporting them to grow, adapt and succeed. Coaching is the best way I have found to engage with that love and pay my bills. I have worked in construction consultancy, project managed civil engineering on a wind farm, been a suit shop manager and a volunteering coordinator for charities involved with surplus food, homelessness and community. I have a breadth and width of experience working with people of all types, from elderly volunteers helping in a kitchen to renewable energy company CEOs, from City bankers to people without homes. Now I am working as a coach and facilitator, a job I love.It's not been easy to get here, and there's further i want to go. I've personally engaged with therapy, coaching and personal development programmes. They've all been helpful and useful. I'd recommend exploring all of them and see what works for you.I live in Stroud, once a wool town on the edge of the Cotswolds and now an intriguing mix of beautiful countryside, Victorian engineering and urban life, with a woman I love and 2 young boys I adore. I spend a few days each week parenting and the rest of the time coaching.Would you like to know more? Get in touch.

Stroud & Surrounds Food Providers Group Coaching

Whether you grow, make, serve or share it; food matters to you and is a major consideration in your working hours. Your work might have time pressures, prioritisation demands, inter-personal difficulties or other challenges. You could do with a space to problem-solve, reconnect to your purpose and appreciate how far you've progressed - group coaching can help with all this and more.This group coaching programme is for people working in food who want to see improvements come faster, for themselves, their organisation and everyone who eats. Group coaching is a shared space for thinking, reflection and discussion of goals, ideas and challenges and Ben will be your group coach. Your fellow coachees will be from Stroud and Surrounds. Read on for more information.

Who Is This For?

You work in a food organisation of some kind, and you want more support around you. This might include being:

  • A retailer, restaurateur or farmer, needing a network, a space to think or time to reflect.

  • A baker, brewer or a barista looking for time to think through business plans?

  • A council policy maker, charity leader or caterer considering a better balance between life and work?

You might have a different role entirely, and similar needs, but your work involves thinking about making, selling, providing or distributing food and drink, and making sure people are fed and watered, and you have questions you don't yet have answers for.

A farm gate in the foreground, with a wheat field behind it, and blue skies with clouds above. Framed by Trees standing tall either side of the gate. Photo by Everett Bartels on Unsplash.

What Are The Benefits?

  • Time to step back from the daily work to plan and consider the bigger picture for your work

  • Space to reflect on your progress and what you need

  • The opportunity to build networks and share knowledge with similar people

  • Accountability to get done what you want to do

  • A team of likeminded individuals to support you

  • Varied viewpoints and opinions to challenge assumptions

  • The chance to work on communication skills like giving & receiving feedback, asking constructive questions and active listening

What IS "Stroud & Surrounds"?

One of the powers of group coaching is the networks that build amongst participants. For that reason there is a specific focus on Ben's home town and the surrounding area. If you have a GL postcode we can probably squeeze you in. If you're further afield get in touch and we can find a way to support you - perhaps a regional or national group coaching programme will grow from here?

What Does It Look Like?

  • An initial 1-2-1 coaching session of 30 minutes

  • Monthly group coaching sessions of up to 2 hours, generally held online but sometimes at The Long Table if all participants agree

  • A capped number of participants, likely to be no more than 6

  • A commitment to 3 sessions, paid for in advance

  • The intention is for the group to continue indefinitely. People may join, leave and re-join as circumstances and capacity allow.

How Much Does It Cost?

Pricing is on a sliding scale. The recommend payment is £40/session, so an investment of £120 for 3 sessions. If business or personal finances are tight, £25/session, an investment of £75 for 3 sessions. If money is not a challenge for you at the moment, then payment of £55/session, an investment of £165 to support others as well as yourself.You are responsible for your payment choice. There is no auditing of your ability to pay and your integrity can guide you to the appropriate level. Often this is more of a challenge for people choosing the lower level, to believe that it's ok. It is! I am happy to discuss variances from the 3 suggested prices, just let me know. If the total revenue for a session is greater than £40/person, the excess is contributed to The Long Table.The group coach is the only one who knows what you pay, and everyone receives the same service. This charging scale is an example of how systems can adapt to be more equitable and accessible.

3 colourful iced doughnuts with sprinkles on them and on the wooden worktop, viewed from above. Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

What Are The Dates?

The sessions will run on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10am - midday.That means 16th January, 20th February and 19th February.Paying at least a 50% deposit by Monday 18th December gives you a bonus, in-person session at The Long Table on Tuesday 19th December, 10am - midday, absolutely free.

What Do Participants Bring To The Group Coaching?

  • A commitment to participate all the way through

  • Conducting yourself honestly and openly with the group and your coach

  • Confidentiallity of other participants' experiences

  • Your ideas, challenges, horror stories, experience and wisdom

  • Your individual sense of joy, humour and fun

  • A willingness to offer feedback on the programme and your coach

Next Steps

  • I am running 3 online Q&A sessions, 45 minutes long (on 29 Nov 20:15, 1 Dec 11:15 and 5 Dec 10:45) that you are welcome to attend by booking here

  • You can meet me in person for questions and chats at The Long Table, 11am - 12.45pm on two Tuesdays: 28th November and 12th December

  • Ready to enrol? Email with the price you wish to pay

  • Need to tell someone about this? Send them to https://www.bencartercoaching.com/#stroudfoodproviders

  • Remember that paying at least a 50% deposit, with the balance due before we start in January, gives you a free bonus in-person session on Tues 19th December

  • More questions? Email and ask

A Bright 2022

Are you a leader in a non-profit organisation looking for some energy, support or a vision for 2022? Maybe two or all three of those? If you can commit about hours per week into February then this pilot programme is for you. Click here to register or read on for more info.

WHO IS THIS IS FOR?

I am offering a 6 week programme to leaders at any level of an organisation. Over this time we will create a clear idea of what your year will look like, what skills and support you will need to make that idea reality by Christmas 2022 and set you off in the brightest direction.Leaders might by Comms Officers, Policy Managers or CEOs. They could be trustees, volunteers or civil servants. If you have responsibility in your organisation then you are a leader. If your organisation is looking to maximise something other than profit then you are welcome to join us.

Grey Pencils on a yellow background, by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

  • A clearer sense of what you want for yourself and your organisation in 2022

  • The energy to get started and the vision to keep going

  • The chance to start, develop or master the skills you'll need

  • A new set of teammates with you on the journey

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

  • An initial 1-2-1 coaching session of 90 minutes

  • 4 group coaching sessions over 6 weeks, each between 90 minutes and 2 hours

  • 4 supporting training videos that the group wants and I produce

  • A small group so that everyone can interact and learn from each other

  • Materials to support you beyond the programme

  • Really low cost: just £20 to encourage your commitment to the programme and cover materials and postage. I am giving you my time for free as part of my giving in 2022.

WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS BRING TO THE PROGRAMME?

  • A commitment to participate all the way through

  • Conducting yourself honestly and openly with the group and your coach

  • Confidentiallity of other participants' experiences

  • Your individual sense of joy, humour and fun

  • A willingness to offer feedback on the programme and your coach

WHAT NEXT?


Contact

Book a call with Ben via Calendly, further down you can send a message via the website, or connect via the orange icons at the bottom of each page.


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