Dawn Rees, The Rees Consultancy
Dawn Rees is the 61% and smiling chair for the day
DAWN REES MA FInstLM FRSPH I am founder and co-director of The Rees Consultancy Ltd. I worked in the public sector for 40 years, in front line health and local authority services, as a senior manager, leading national health and wellbeing programmes and in strategic roles for the Department of Health and Department for Education. I have a particular interest in the psycho-social development of children and young people and how families develop resilience – a fundamental component of wellbeing, in my view. Four years ago I became joined the steering group of Sistema Norwich – a small charity that is part of NORCA. Sistema teaches children in the most deprived areas of Norwich to play musical instruments in a group as part of an orchestra. Because of this involvement – I now chair Sistema’s steering group – I have been able to observe first-hand, the social impact positive engagement, inclusion and co-operation has on the children and their families, and on the children’s experience of being in school. I have watched with interest the rise and rise of public concern about the wellbeing of children and young people and their families, and am a keen observer of how quickly (or not) the impact government strategies and policies reach the front line. It seems to me that most policies are consistently behind the curve in relation to what families experience in real life. This is why I have re-framed the focus of my work; hoping to pay forward some of the knowledge gained, but mostly aiming to have a bigger impact on the small things that matter to people about their wellbeing – whether it’s at home or at work. I’m a great believer in small steps - they are easier to achieve, bring the end result much closer, and therefore are more relevant; and achieving small steps empowers individuals. This is why I prefer now to work with small organisations, with leaders who can influence change and with individuals. I’m a Masters level executive coach and leadership mentor, a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (working with women entrepreneurs in developing countries) and a mentor to students in the school of Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of East Anglia. In the world of work, The Rees Consultancy provides expert advice on service planning, leadership development, transformational change and commissioning especially in relation to mental health and wellbeing. www.thereesconsultancy.co.uk In 2015 and 2016 I was nominated as European Coach of the Year by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. dawn@thereesconsultancy.co.uk www.thereesconsultancy.com 07846 747728 |