Coaching to help you flourish as your true quiet self

Nurture a greater sense of purpose and wellbeing, feel more confident and live a fulfilling life that’s true to you.

How coaching can help

  • Are you an introvert seeking to uncover your confidence and build more meaningful relationships?
  • Is anxiety or stress overwhelming you in everyday social situations?
  • Do you desire a life or career path that feels purposeful and aligned with who you really are – but you don’t know where to start?
  • Or perhaps you simply want to feel more at ease in the skin you’re in and show up as your best self?

Whatever your goals, if you’re ready to grow and accept yourself for who you really are, we’re here for you.

Our experienced, qualified coaches are quiet people like you, so they truly understand the challenges that you’ve been facing.

Their role is to help you to tune into your inner wisdom and empower you to make the positive changes that you desire using a mix of helpful tools, techniques and strategies. Through supportive, discovery-based frameworks they’ll help you to uncover and get to know your unique qualities, passions and experiences, exploring how they can work best for you and for your wider community. And they’ll help you to finally feel more aligned with what exactly it is that you want to contribute to the world…we know that’s something you’ve been craving, because we’ve been there too.

If you think that coaching is something that you might benefit from, we’d be honoured to support you on your journey. The first step is to book a free 30 minute discovery call so we can begin to get to know each other and make sure we’re a good fit. 

“It’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever experienced in my life”

“The first time I came for a coaching session I didn’t know what I was doing with my life at all. I couldn’t figure out how to spend it in the most fulfilling and valuable way. I needed help understanding what my purpose was and what do I do now? 

Coaching made me realise that I didn’t need to do grand things to be able to hit my purpose. It was all about making the space around me the way I wanted, and this had a knock-on effect on other people. 

Coaching helped me move forward, finding rewards and purpose in my life. It’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I can now celebrate I’ve responded in a way I would not have reacted before.”

Julia, Quiet Connections Coachee

What does coaching involve?

The format and flow of sessions can vary but, essentially, we like to think of our coaches as a ‘fellow explorer’ in your journey. They’re not a counsellor or a therapist – they’re a partner who’ll facilitate thought-provoking conversations and provide the tools that’ll help you explore and gain clarity on how to move closer to the life that you want. The answers are already within you. Your coach will just help you to bring them to the surface.

Quiet Connections coaching typically includes six 60 minute sessions over three months, so you’d meet your coach on a fortnightly basis.

The cost is usually up to £120 per month (to be confirmed after your discovery call). But if you need some flexibility on the number or duration of sessions, we are always open to discussing that.

Meet our coaches

 

Founder & Coach

Hayley Stanton

Chief Experience Officer & Coach

Stacie Clark

Coach

Vicky Otter

Director & Coach

Phil Williams

Coach

Lisa Fisher

Coach

Elaine Macey

Coach & Group Facilitator

Emily Wheeler

Director

Alistair Miller

Founder & Coach

Hayley Stanton

Hi, I’m Hayley. I’m the original quieteer and founded Quiet Connections after I trained as a coach in 2014. Now, I’m studying coaching at Masters level. Before I started coaching, my background and education was in health and wellbeing and business but I knew deep down that, somehow, there was a more meaningful contribution I could make.

A series of leaps of faith and trusting my intuition led me to discover what I’m truly here for: personal growth and connection for quiet people who want to make a difference in the world. If this sounds like you, I’d love to help you flourish and create a positive ripple effect of your own.

I, too, identify as a quiet person. I’m naturally a highly sensitive introvert and I love and appreciate my quiet strengths now, but I spent much of my life not feeling good enough and experiencing social anxiety. I missed so many opportunities because I was afraid of being judged harshly, criticised and rejected – and because I doubted that I had the ‘right’ personality to succeed. Quiet Connections exists in part because I had a fantastic coach who helped me to work through old patterns of keeping myself small and hidden so that I could show up and be seen to play my part in creating the more connected, curious and compassionate world that I dream of.

Now, I’m passionate about helping quiet people discover their unique qualities, gifts, passions and experiences and explore how best to use these to express themselves more authentically and contribute to the world in a way that works with their quieter or more sensitive nature – and I’d love to help you uncover what this looks like for you and how you can create this in your life now.

Credentials

  • Student of MSc Applied Positive Psychology 
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology
  • NLP Practitioner (neuro-linguistic programming)
  • mBIT Coach (multiple brain integration techniques – think head, heart & gut wisdom)
  • Blue Health Coach (the science and philosophy of water for wellbeing)
  • ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
  • Action Learning Team Facilitator
  • ILM Level 3 Award in Coaching
  • BSc Dimensions in Healthcare
  • Business Studies (140 credits level 4-6)
  • Association of NLP (ANLP) Professional Member
  • Code of Practice: ANLP, mBIT & EMCC

Email:hayley@quietconnections.co.uk

Chief Experience Officer & Coach

Stacie Clark

Hello! I’m Stacie. I was the girl who awkwardly blurted out half-formed sentences. Pretended to not know much – about a lot of things! Would go on a date to sit in silence. And nervously laughed to hide the fear of speaking. I dropped an A-Level so I wouldn’t have to do presentations. Spent 3 years ditching Uni applications because I’d have to live in halls (I got there eventually… not living in halls!). I couldn’t get a job in McDonalds and left jobs I did get because I felt too anxious. If only I knew back then what I know now… I would have seen that I was more capable than I ever thought I was.

Now I’m a qualified NLP Coach, passionate about helping people express their truest self and creating environments that encourage gentle participation so that those who are quieter, shy and struggle to speak up, can thrive, fulfil their potential, and achieve all that they want to and all they are capable of! I have a background in art and design, so naturally, I love bringing elements of these practises into the way in which I support people; mixing arts and crafts with coaching techniques to help with speaking clearly, confidently and calmly.

Email:stacie@quietconnections.co.uk

Coach

Vicky Otter

Vicky’s personal wellbeing journey began with a belief that she just wasn’t good enough. This drove her to keep working harder and being nicer in order to gain the approval she thought she needed from others to feel good enough. Eventually, Vicky saw that she was already complete and whole; she didn’t need fixing –and just because she thought something didn’t make it true. Vicky trained as a coach whilst working as a teacher and began using coaching with children in her classes to draw out the potential within them, helping them to see that they already have the confidence and resilience they need inside of them. Vicky offers coaching for children and adults and brings people together for confidence and resilience courses in nature settings.

Director & Coach

Phil Williams

Hi, I’m Phil. I am an NLP Practitioner & a Blue Health Coach. In the past I have struggled with social anxiety & depression. Learning NLP was a game changer for me & it has helped me shift negative behavioural patterns & taught me to develop a sense of self-awareness that helps keep me on an even keel.

I am passionate to help my clients bring lasting change to their lives by challenging you to safely step out of your comfort zone & explore new rewarding ways of thinking & develop what is arguably the most important relationship in life – Your relationship with yourself.

As a Blue Health coach, I very much enjoy taking coaching sessions in blue spaces, walking on the Southwest coast path & the occasional toe dip or deep dive into the sea. Working in and around our blue spaces & connecting with nature are extremely powerful resources for those looking for change.

I have helped build & run an IT & Telecoms business for almost 20 years which has certainly been rollercoaster ride & has taught me some valuable life lessons which I endeavour to bring to my coaching. In a nutshell I want to help my clients to feel more confident & truly become their own best & authentic self.

Email:phil@quietconnections.co.uk

Coach

Lisa Fisher

Hello, I’m Lisa. I’m happy to connect with you! I’m a Positive Psychology Coach currently undertaking a Masters to deepen my learning and skills to support others in their journeys to flourishing and living their best lives, but it’s been a long and strange journey to get where I am now.

I started my adult life preferring to stay in the background and just go with the flow rather than speak out. It held me back in jobs, going to university and in my social life. I fell into teaching line dancing with a big push from a friend. But I was so anxious I could hardly be heard – even with a mic! And I couldn’t remember what came next. With time, I became better and more confident in teaching, yet I still preferred to stay at the front of the class, behind the mic, so that I didn’t have to make conversation with strangers.

Then, I spent five years with health problems. I went from an active, always-on-the-go person to being at home most of the time and needing help with simple tasks and a mobility scooter to get out. With that, I felt like a lost all the confidence I had and I really noticed those feelings of social anxiety.

But during this challenging time, I completed a psychology degree to keep my brain active even if my body wasn’t and I was over the moon to get a first-class honours!

I fell in love with Positive Psychology. It’s taught me to appreciate the little things, and to be a lot more resilient. I’ve done things that scare me because that is how I learn and grow. Using elements of Positive Psychology, including mindfulness and gratitude, really helped me to improve my own health and wellbeing. With determination and perseverance, I have my independence and mobility back. While I now enjoy being the quiet one, I have learnt to enjoy speaking to different people too, I know how to advocate for myself, and I am far happier and more confident.

I knew I wanted to use Positive Psychology to help other people lead happier, more authentic and fulfilled lives too. To this end, I started a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. I love it! And while learning so much, I am also continuing to apply it to my own life with great results. So here I am now, ready to help other people as a coach, bringing the benefits of coaching and positive psychology to help you improve your own wellbeing so you can live a more fulfilling, authentic life too.

Credentials

  • BSc Psychology
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology
  • Certified Mindfulness Life Coach

Coach

Elaine Macey

Hi, I’m Elaine. I am an NLP Practitioner and a Blue Health Coach and I have had my own experiences with anxiety. I know what it feels like to not feel good enough and movement has played a huge role in my journey. As well as being a Coach, I have extensive experience and a passion for inclusive dance, yoga, fitness and community events. I thrive on teaching, delivering training and facilitating experiences that spark creative ways of moving, learning and engaging with people and nature. I’m also the founder of 4Motion CIC where I help people to stay moving and connected to improve their wellbeing. I love helping people to feel more confident in themselves and I’m looking forward to helping you feel good too.

Coach & Group Facilitator

Emily Wheeler

Hi, I’m Emily. Here for you to listen, to chat or just ‘be’. I’m excited by the magic that the right support and community can create in our lives… moving towards acceptance and celebration of our quietness and sensitive natures.

We can all tell a hundred different versions of our own story… so which is the most helpful for you, to get to know me as a coach? I moved to Falmouth, Cornwall (all by myself, not knowing anyone!) in 2019 and was so pleased to meet Hayley and Stacie very early on and get to know the amazing ethos and work of Quiet Connections.

I am a writer, workshop facilitator and founder at Strength in Feathers CIC, and I’m also a former sailing, windsurf and paddleboard instructor. I use connection to the coast to practice blue health wellbeing coaching, empowering people to feel more confident and connected both to themselves and the world around them.

We are all allowed to be ‘more than one thing’, and on some days I love speaking to people, running workshops and being at social events. On other days I have felt too overwhelmed to go to the supermarket, and am convinced that I am alone and unwanted, and sure that it will be this way forever. Our brains can play such tricks on us, if we let them.

I was quiet as a child, clinging to my Mum rather than jumping into the ball pit with the other kids – my school reports all say something along the lines of ‘a lovely girl, but doesn’t always engage well with her peers…’ As an adult, I am committed to my own ongoing therapy and personal development – recognising and starting to rewire some of my long-held limiting beliefs. I am fascinated by social research and wellbeing psychology, both on a personal level and academically. You’ll often find me with my head in a book or listening to a podcast packed full of wellness content – and then having powerful conversations about what I’ve learnt with others who are just as passionate as I am. I wish I’d learnt all of this this at school, but although we can’t go back in time, we can talk about it now and share the gems that have helped us most.

Now, working primarily with women, I am passionate about creating safe spaces to connect, create and laugh together! More often than not you’ll find me outdoors, near the water. I love sea swimming and paddle boarding, and think that beach yoga is one of the best ways you’ll ever start your day. I’m learning to surf, slowly, which might have something to do with the amount of surf sessions that are mostly spent sat on the beach in my wetsuit, ideally with coffee and cake in hand!

Credentials

  • Blue Health Coach (the science and philosophy of water for wellbeing)
  • Diploma in Life Coaching
  • MA Creative & Critical Writing
  • BA English with Art History & Visual Culture
  • Studying Level 2 Counselling
  • Specialising in Writing for Wellbeing

Director

Alistair Miller

Hi, I’m Alistair. I’m looking forward to connecting with you. As a highly sensitive male introvert, living in what feels like an extrovert dominated world, I believe I have a good understanding of the issues introverts face. So, as a mental health facilitator, I am on a mission to help introverts navigate the world… along with helping get the message out there about how introverts have different needs and preferences to extroverts and to get these acknowledged.

I am a highly sensitive introvert, living in Falmouth in Cornwall, UK. I am a qualified primary school teacher, having studied the PGCE course at the University of East London.  I am also a qualified Life Coach with Newcastle College and last year I qualified as an iheart Mental Health Facilitator.  In 2019 I moved down on my own from London to Cornwall and started a new life.  But I certainly haven’t always had that level of self-confidence to make such a bold life choice.

I grew up in Crystal Palace, South London, during the 80’s.  I was routinely described as shy and quiet.  It not only had an effect on me socially; it also had an effect on me at school, as I used to spend my day trying to hide and avoid being in the spotlight.  There was little sympathy for my quietness and that only made my desire to hide even stronger.  I dreaded being noticed.  I felt that if I was ‘seen’, then I was worried I would be judged harshly.  This could be open disdain.  Or pity.  But rarely respect.  The effect of all of this was to cause me to judge myself harshly and not accept my quiet highly sensitive introverted personality.  I lacked self-respect because I didn’t like myself.

My issues from school carried on into the workplace.  I struggled to fit in, with my quietness routinely considered to be an issue.  It was only when I was 40 that I realised that not only was I shy, but I was an introvert.  Discovering the physical implications of being an introvert was life changing for me.  It helped me feel that I was not alone and that there wasn’t anything fundamentally wrong with me.  I had genuine reasons for some of my choices and behaviours. Joining an Introvert Meet Up group, which I went on to host, helped me meet other introverts who also felt the same way.

I began to stretch my comfort zone and faced up to my fear of public speaking by joining Toastmasters. Previously, the idea of doing a 1-minute presentation at my breakfast networking group terrified me.  But going to Toastmasters, whilst not completely taking away the fear of public speaking, helped to make it manageable. It transformed the way I looked at shyness and myself.

Another major comfort stretch was to appear live on BBC Radio 5 and BBC London to discuss introversion.  For the chronically shy teenager at school, this was a major achievement.  And again chipped away at my belief that I ‘would never achieve anything as I was too quiet and too shy’.

Conquering my chronic fear of speaking in front of people also helped me make the transition into becoming a primary school teacher.  It was during my time as a class teacher that I saw the issues that many children have with mental health; which have been exacerbated by covid and lockdowns. I know how difficult it can be for children growing up these days and how strong mental health is a cornerstone of their development. So that is why I trained as an iheart (Innate Health And Resilience Training) mental health facilitator to help tackle this, through teaching children how the mind works and how knowing this helps them navigate through life wisely. They learn that their well-being and resilience are innate.

I love working with children who don’t accept their introversion and feel that their quietness is a weakness, and seeing them grow to embrace their introversion and to be quietly confident. With my personal history I have a lot of empathy for the issues that shy and quiet people face.

I love living down in Cornwall and want to explore all that it has to offer. I’m now hosting groups and attending social events. Again, a far cry from the shy child who spent his days constantly wanting to hide away.  But we’re all capable of change.

Email:alistair@quietconnections.co.uk

FAQs

 

You can think of a Coach as a fellow explorer in your journey. Coaching is equal partnership between you and your Coach in a thought-provoking and empowering conversational process that incorporates appropriate strategies, tools, and techniques to help you move closer to where you want to go and how you want to show up in life.

If you’re not yet sure what this looks like for you, coaching can help you to gain clarity, ideas and options that are aligned with your true self.

Coaching is not therapy and will not explore traumatic past experiences in the manner of counselling. You will not be expected to 'fill the space' without prompting; your Coach will be active and truly curious about your experience and assist your thinking through thoughtful questioning and reflecting your insights back to you to help you make sense of your challenges.

Coaching is also not intended to provide advice or tell you what is right for you. Coaching is not directive. Your Coach is here to help you add choices and see new possibilities, and then make the wisest decisions available to you -and only you can know what is best for you after careful reflection, which is the process that your Coach will facilitate with you.

Coaching is predominantly present- and future-focused, aiming to facilitate self-directed learning, self-awareness, personal growth, and improved performance, inspiring you to maximise your potential in the areas that matter to you.

The Coach's role is to facilitate your exploration, which could involve helping you to formulate your goals or intentions; providing a balance of support and kind challenge to assist you in gaining new insights and possibilities for yourself; helping you to identify your needs and what is important to you; and assisting you in exploring the options, resources and support available to you, including your own inner strengths and wisdom.

Where appropriate, your Coach may invite you to reflect on previous experiences for the purpose of extracting learning which you can use in the future. They may also offer constructive feedback or provide accountability for taking agreed actions. Your Coach may help you to re-focus the conversation if you go 'off track' and help you to search for solutions. Your Coach will also reflect back to you your strengths, resources and achievements so that you can see the light in you more clearly for yourself.

Your Coach will be open-minded, non-judgemental, and compassionate in your interactions. They will bring attentive listening, thoughtful questioning, and constructive challenge to assist you in your development. Each Coach has a varied ‘toolkit’, and will incorporate interventions from coaching and psychology as appropriate. They may also offer relevant actions that you could take that could support you in achievement of your goals -what you take away and choose to act on is always entirely up to you.

We believe that:

  1. You can achieve more than you already are; everyone has hidden potential waiting to be unlocked.
  2. You have all the resources that you need, even if you don’t see this for yourself yet.
  3. You are the expert on you, because both you and your path are unique. Therefore, people benefit the most when they are supported to access the wisdom they hold within, rather than simply being told what to do.
  4. Success depends on discovering new options, increasing personal flexibility, and having the willingness to try out new methods.
  5. Anything can be accomplished if the task is broken down into manageable, bitesize steps.
  6. Failures are stepping stones on the path to success; we learn and grow from things not going to plan.
  7. We are all unique, experience the world in different ways, and have our own individual way of being -and embracing our uniqueness is the greatest gift we can offer the world.

You will get the most out of coaching when:

  • You're already in a place where you are keen to dive in and explore what more there is inside of you and all the possibilities that exist for you.
  • You believe that you can change and create change for yourself. Maybe you just don't quite know how or what that looks like right now, but you are super curious to uncover your potential!
  • You're willing to turn inwards, be vulnerable, sit with discomfort, and to have a go (even when it sucks) because you know this is what it takes to be a truer, wiser version of yourself in this world.
  • You are invested in your own growth and committed to showing up and putting in the effort.

No, sorry. We don't specialise in working with autistic people here at Quiet Connections. Our focus is introversion, high sensitivity and social anxiety.

We do welcome autistic people in our community and on our programmes, but we know that there are other coaching services run by people with specialist training, skills and experience, which we don't have, who specifically serve the autistic community.

Get to know your Coach before deciding to work with them...

You can learn more about each coach, their experience and their stories here.

You can book a free 30-minute discovery call with a coach to see if we're a good fit for you. Book a Discovery Call Here

Coaching in Nature across Cornwall

We offer walking-exploring sessions across much of Cornwall, partnering with blue and green spaces in our coaching approaches (We regularly coach in the areas of Penzance, Porthleven, The Lizard, Helston, Hayle, Falmouth, Redruth, Camborne, Portreath, Truro, Mount Hawke, Porthtowan, Perranporth, Newquay and Charlestown - get in touch to find out where we can work with you).

Coaching from Further Afield

If you live outside of these areas or prefer to connect through technology, you can also have coaching sessions via Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp Video, or a simple phone call if you're more comfortable with this.

You get out of coaching what you put in. So, to gain the most from your coaching sessions and maximise your results, you are responsible for:

• Preparing for each session by (a) reflecting on your topic between sessions through thinking, journaling, or talking, and (b) considering what you would like to explore in the next session (e.g., you could bring a particular challenge, opportunity, question, or curiosity about how you show up, interact, and make decisions in any life area).

• Ensuring that you can talk freely and will not be interrupted or overheard during your sessions, keeping your mobile phone on silent and using a private space if coaching online. Your Coach will do the same.

• Taking agreed actions between sessions, or otherwise be willing to explore the reasons if not carried through.

• Bringing an open-minded and curious attitude to your sessions; you are here to explore and expand your available options and flexibility.

• Being willing to focus on what you do want rather than what you don’t want (your Coach can also help you with this).

• Telling the Coach all relevant information that will assist you in achieving your goals and overcoming any issues or blocks to your success.

• Being honest and open in the conversations, including providing feedback to the Coach where needed.

• Your own learning and development. You may wish to bring a notebook and pen to jot down insights and actions during meetings.

Each session will usually begin with an update on any actions you’ve taken or challenges you have faced between sessions, then prioritising and agreeing areas to work on in that session.

As you take steps forward and gain new insights, your priorities, life areas of focus and curiosities may change, so coaching aims to be flexible to meet you where you are in each session. Therefore, the timing, location, and focus of sessions are open to change as you progress.

CANCELLATIONS

Notice: If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice where possible so that someone else may be offered your space. Missed appointments and late cancellations will result in loss of a pre-paid session (genuine medical emergencies excepted).

Method: You will be provided with a link to easily cancel or reschedule your coaching session and notify your Coach. Or you may contact your Coach directly via email or text.

Exiting: If you wish to end your coaching sessions early for any reason, you may do so by informing your Coach. Alternatively, you can email the admin team at hello@quietconnections.co.uk but if you have an upcoming session, please also cancel this with your Coach as outlined above as this mailbox is not checked daily. Unused pre-paid sessions cancelled with the required notice period will be refunded.

Quiet Connections and your Coach is committed to the confidentiality of the coaching relationship, as well as all information (documented or verbal) that you may share with your Coach as part of the coaching relationship.

Confidentiality may be broken in the following circumstances, which the Coach would endeavour to discuss with you prior to acting:

1. Where you give consent for information to be shared with a third party

2. Where the Coach is legally compelled to disclose information

3. Where the Coach believes that you or other people may be in danger

In addition, as Professional Coaches, we undertake Coach Supervision and further studies in which we may share some information about our experiences as a Coach for the purpose of our own development of practice and so that we may serve our Quieteers better. This will be anonymous and only non-identifiable information will be shared.

If you have been referred and funded by another organisation, your Coach may be required to share session dates and, occasionally, an overview of the sessions with the referrer; in such cases, communications use only your initials. Your Coach will inform you if this has been requested and you can view session reports before they are sent if you wish.

Feedback: You are invited to provide constructive feedback to your Coach at any time knowing that we are learning and growing together. Your Coach will seek feedback from you throughout the coaching process. You will also be invited to complete a feedback survey at the end of your coaching experience to help us capture what’s working well and what can be improved. This also provides us with the necessary evidence of our work and impact for our stakeholders.

Complaints: In the first instance, it is recommended that you discuss with your Coach if you feel something isn’t working well, so that they may alter their approach. If you do not feel able to do so, you may contact one of the Directors by email to share your concerns or request a meeting to discuss and seek resolutions together. If you wish to make a formal complaint, you will need to put your complaint with all relevant details in writing and email hello@quietconnections.co.uk.

Our coaching package includes six 60-minute coaching sessions, meeting with your coach two-weekly over a duration of three months, for an investment of up to £120/month (if required, a discounted rate may be available by discussion with a coach).

Need some flexibility? It's easy to add further sessions if you feel these would be beneficial for you; complete your sessions more quickly by meeting with your coach weekly; or even pause your sessions if you'd like a take a short break. Just speak with your coach in your introductory call or during your coaching sessions to explore the possibilities.

Want less sessions? Sure! Just agree this with your Coach in your introductory call.

We’ve got you - there’s an extended payment plan for those that need this and payment can be split into monthly payments throughout the duration of your coaching programme. Just drop us a message to arrange.