Volunteer life coach Fabiola Props

Fabiola Props, who graduated BSY’s Life Coaching course with Distinction, is now putting her skills to exceptional use to help refugees in Belgium.

She says: “As a volunteer life coach I’m helping refugees from Syria to get to terms with their new life circumstances: teaching Dutch to a mother and her disabled daughter who cannot go to the official integration programmes due to their physical problems.

“Using all the techniques of the Life Coaching course, and of my professional and personal expertise in different areas, I try to get them back into their own personal strength and to help them create a new life, in a new country, with different languages and habits, in a rather hostile environment towards refugees from Arab regions.

“I learn a lot from them, and hope to help them on their way to feeling well in this new country and to being confident, in becoming more independent. One of the daughters is now studying to get her driving licence, the mother and younger sister are slowly finding their way in the language (spoken and written), needing to explain themselves when they go to hospital to get dialysis.”

Since 1987 Fabiola has worked in the financial sector, tourism, ethical banking and health food, mostly in sales jobs. In many of these jobs she trained people and tried to enhance the quality and unity of the team by enhancing the self esteem and different talents of each of the members, and through a cooperative style of leadership.

Fabiola continues: “In my personal life often people came to me when in need, and I tried to help them by listening to their story, sometimes giving them advice from my own experiences in life.

“One of my spiritual teachers told me about BSY, and advised me to check out the correspondence courses. As a result of this I started the Life Coaching Course in 2015.

“The Life Coaching Course offers an opportunity to fine-tune techniques of building a bridge towards other people, by listening and by gently getting them in motion when they ask for help, out of lethargy or a negative spiral, and thus enhancing them to get a grip on their lives, whatever the circumstances.

“For me the letting go of what I want/foresee as a solution for another person was an eye opener and still one of the most difficult things to do. Each person has a different life and background, and thus a different set of values/preferences/abilities to realise a goal or get to terms with his/her life.

“What I think is the best does not have to be the best for someone else. The most important thing is getting some movement into a stuck situation, from that moment on there’s a possibility of positive change.”

Fabiola’s last job as a coach was in an insurance office, where she tried to transfer a different way of co-working and get more ethical practices in business. This resulted in a very positive working drive, combining both true connection with the clients and good sales results.

Due to health issues Fabiola had to stop working, but continues her coaching practice as a voluntary coach/teacher with the Belgian NGO Auxilia vzw. This organisation helps children in difficult situations with their homework and also helps newly arrived refugees with the language and culture.

Annie Manning, MASC (CBT)/NLP life coach and author

All at BSY would like to send huge congratulations to Annie Manning, MASC (CBT)/NLP life coach and author, on completion of her Dementia Care course.

Like so many of us, Annie found her life and work affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – leaving her suddenly unable to work with her wonderful dementia clients.

Annie has studied courses with BSY over a number of years. Having recently enrolled onto the NCFE CACHE Level 2 and 3 Principles of Dementia Care courses, Annie decided to focus the time in which she would usually be helping clients on her studies instead.

Annie said: “In these unprecedented times there has never been a better opportunity to improve our skills and focus on our continual professional development.

“Speaking as a life coach and counsellor, having a structure to our day is vital and if we can enhance our skills for future use it makes perfect sense to do so.

“I have personally seen this enforced stay at home policy as a blessing and I know my clients will benefit from my dedication to my studies.”

As lockdown restrictions start to lift, Annie, who lives in St Albans, has already been able to put her new skills and knowledge into practice.

She explained: “I happily returned to some dementia client work having chosen one couple as my bubble and during discussions with the wife (carer) I can honestly say I was already able to call upon some of the focused learning and learning outcomes from this course.

“I would have no hesitation in recommending this course to others.”

In praising BSY’s staff and her personal tutor, Julia, Annie added: “Well done to the team going the extra mile with students to ensure we are supported during lockdown. Great service as I have enjoyed and come to expect over the past years.”

We are delighted to continue to support students like Annie in achieving their goals.

Government guidance on PPE and refreshments has been updated for close contact services in England*.

Close contact services include wellness, wellbeing and holistic locations (such as beauty salons), and the guidelines also apply to those who provide mobile close contact services from their homes and in other people’s homes – such as massage therapists.

Until recently the guidance had been that the practitioner should wear a clear visor as well as a Type II face mask – this has been updated to say goggles (polycarbonate safety spectacles or equivalent) can be worn as an alternative to a visor.

Face coverings must be worn by the clients, only to be removed if essential for treatment or to drink a hot or cold beverage, which can now be supplied by the close contact service venue in a disposable cup or bottle.

There are also new regulations for NHS Test and Trace, meaning it is mandatory to collect clients’ contact details to assist this service. Businesses must also keep records of staff working patterns for a period of 21 days.

All close contact services including those in the highest risk zone (e.g. facial treatments) were permitted from 15 August.

The latest guidance (updated regularly) can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services

If any local restrictions are in place or come into force, practitioners/therapists must also follow all instructions from the local authorities.

You can stay up to date with the latest public health information at:
• https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus (from here you can also access help and advice for businesses and the self-employed)
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

*As public health is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Government guidance should be considered alongside local public health and safety requirements and legislation in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For advice to businesses in other parts of the UK please refer to guidance set by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government.