Testimonials

I first saw Janet speak at a Business link event: though there were other life coaches there I was struck by her focus and no-nonsense approach. Later, while hammering  out a deal for voluntary severance, I wanted an objective sounding board that would analyse my needs, squashed by a long contract in education, and remembered her confidence-poise at that event. Half way through my first session, we talked about a topic, and I realised then Janet had the capacity to look at things from a completely different angle, pro-actively, without the fear I was associating with it. That one episode encapsulates the empowering nature of her sessions: clarity of focus, streamlining personally important values and goals, demolishing the fear factor in big changes in life. I enjoyed the process of arriving at core values and motivations, and re-read these sheets often, to remind me of how to best match my qualities to my  new life aspirations.

CP Winchester
Higher Education/new Business start up

When I first went to see Janet I was full of unknowns, what did I want from my life, how did i see myself, what did i value? I didn't really know what to expect from a coaching session, but I wanted to get some sense of direction and purpose - I just didn't know if and how it would work. What it gave me was focus and tools; focus by forcing me to think for the first time about what i really wanted from life, what it looked like, who was involved in this new life and it also made me realise that it was good to do this, not conceited or selfish, but something i owed myself. Tools - well the exercises that I did with Janet really steered me in the right direction and helped to change my mindset on how i viewed myself and what I deserved from life, as well as a clear plan to get there. I really think that anyone who doesn't know quite where they are going in life, what they want or how to get it will benefit from the skills that coaching can give you. It has certainly empowered me to take the bull by the horns and reclaim control of my life.

RH Hampshire

I attended this programme to gain more confidence and set myself goals that are easier for me to work to.  The most valuable aspects of the programme have been the networking and assertiveness.  I will now be a more confident employee. The programme exceeded my expectation and I am now more able to speak up.
A Stewart London

I attended this training programme to become more confident, assertive and to not be too negative. The programme really has helped me, I am much more assertive and know how to say no sometimes and can stand my own ground.  The most valuable aspects were assertiveness, being able to say no and goal setting and realising that they are achievable. I think this programme would be very helpful to other colleagues. Janet engaged with everyone and was encouraging.
Unnamed

It was a superb course that helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses and my priorities. I have realised that I am a creative, talented individual who just got distracted along the way. 
J K London

I went on this course to help me gain knowledge to help career/work. The course helped me to gather knowledge on how to get ahead, networking/support in the groups had helped me problem solve. The most valuable parts were looking at my image, assertiveness in personal relationships, I did not realise how passive I was and how to be assertive correctly. This course would be really helpful to other  colleagues. The course helps you to look at your thoughts, behaviour and aims and helps you to identify if these are working together. I think the balance of group work and the workbook and presenting worked really well. My employers will now benefit as I will be happier to voice ideas about the job which will benefit me and the job and are based on simple changes. Janet related personal experiences really well.
Fiona W London

The course has helped me to be more confident.  I can now network better and see the importance of networking. The most valuable elements were learning to be a more positive person. I will have a much more positive outlook at work now. Janet shared past experiences very well.
Claire S London

Janet was a very enthusiastic trainer, who knew her subject material and was able to give life experiences as examples.  It was a positive experience for me and I gained a wealth of information. My employers will benefit as I am more motivated, I am assessing my work goals and have confidence in addressing my manager. I think this course would be very valuable to other colleagues.  The most valuable aspects of the course were being able to find the confidence to challenge my manager and being better at my work. This course had really helped me to look at my life ad develop myself.
P Hankin Hampshire

I welcomed the generally open and frank discussions and Janet’s anecdotes/personal experiences.  Janet enabled people to open up about their own experiences.
Unnamed

Janet listened to individuals and gave good inspirational examples.
Unnamed

I planned to get as much out of this programme as possible. I enjoyed meeting new people and networking. I realised that there is a lot more opportunity out there which can be achieved.  I will now be more motivated in my work.
Dawn S London

Janet explained what you could do differently backed up with experiences. I went on the course to gain more confidence to speak up.  I can now speak up and tell people my views.  I really valued the guest speakers and listening to other peoples views and experiences. I think it would really help people in my office to do this course.   My employers will gain as I am much happier and settled and want to do more within the organisation.
Hannah W London

I went on this course to establish some focus and objectives or my career progression.
I have now got more focus, I found the networking the best part.  The course made me realise I need to make time for personal goals also. It had allowed me the time to focus my attention on individual areas of development.  My employers will benefit and I am now ore focused on promotion.
T Moore London

I went on the course to improve my personal confidence having identified it as a weakness.  Being truthful I was a little apprehensive, as to what we would be doing, (think it was more to do with nerves!) but once I got to the course I felt very comfortable.  I was looking forward to meeting other people in situations similar to myself, sharing tips and ideas on how to deal with certain people, and how to stay assertive in difficult situations.

I found the guest speakers helpful; it was good to listen to other people, on how they developed themselves.  I liked the topic ‘assertiveness’ how to be assertive but not to come across as aggressive.

I have l learnt that there are other women of any age feeling the same as me in certain situations, I feel a lot more motivated within my job, I feel I can speak up and be more certain of my views.

Mpowerme gives people of any age that chance to change something or all of their life, whether it’s personal or work.  With Mpowerme it’s never too late to change.
Hannah W London

A few years ago I attended a team training course facilitated by Janet Ahsfield. The course provided some very interesting strategies for team and personal development. It was the personal development elements of the course that caught my imagination and I arranged a private consultation with Janet that proved to be truly life changing.

At the time I had started to look into the possibility of earning a living from my hobby which was magic. I had no idea how to go about it or even if it was a viable proposition. Janet suggested some very simple strategies that basically changed my thought processes. I have a young family a mortgage and all the usual expenses that modern life entails.

Every time I thought about making a change I saw more obstacles than benefits, but once I had changed my way of thinking and focused on how I was going to achieve this change things started to happen. One strategy I used was to pin up photos of me performing magic all around the house so that my dream was constantly in view.  

In the space of twelve months I am now a Professional Magician earning more than I did from my 9-5. My list of clients include Orange, Blackberry, Next, Selfidges, The Royal Navy, Southampton FC, Newcastle FC, Spec Savers, Tate and Lyle, The Rose Bowl, and many more.

The real bonus is I generally work around 3 days a week which enables me to share the child care responsibilities and I have more time with my 3 year old daughter Rosie.

Thank you mpowerme. Thank you Janet.
Glen Neckles Professional Magician

I just wanted to say a massive, massive, thank you for the support and coaching you gave to me. As I said I was not sure what to expect from the course, and to be honest with you had I thought initially it was going to be what it turned out to be I probably would not have come.  IT JUST SHOWS YOU HOW WRONG I WOULD HAVE BEEN AND HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE MISSED OUT!

I thought you were excellent in so many ways, and whilst I did not feel I took loads away in terms of life changing actions, what you did above everything else was give me an independent affirmation that the decisions I have made, and the course of action I have taken is the correct one. I now have a better understanding of where I am, and where I am going. As you say it will be interesting to see where I am in 12 months.

It has been a privilege to have met you.
Richard L Lyndhurst

You know one of the best things, just generally being more aware of myself and the people around me, and being more grateful for things.
BH - Hampshire

I now believe I can have the life I want.
N Murphy - Winchester

A true eye opener, there are things I learnt about myself that I did not know before.
Ruth S - Brighton

Thank you so much Janet, I really enjoyed the session yesterday. It made me re-evaluate my work and home life.
Whitfield - Winchester

This course has changed the way I think, it has made me feel that it is possible for me to achieve anything I want. I liked the way we covered things in blocks. It gave me time to think about the class and what had gone on in it.
Finney N - Brighton

It made me think differently and I feel better in myself and more able to cope with things. The course is very relaxed and friendly, well planned and presented.
Kipti N - Brighton

The most drastic change, for me, has been internal, I am now able to act towards my goals confidently, make and respond to changes in my life positively. I feel that there will be tangible results.
JB - Southampton

Life coaching sessions with Janet gave me the ability and enthusiasm to improve, expand and enjoy life and all the changes it brings.
Julia S - Southampton

My work/life balance was all over the show - problems with ill health added to feeling down, especially when the pressure piled on at work and I felt too shattered to cope with life at home and living with teenagers. Janet has been such a source of inspiration, her mainstay was  in helping me set targets and reach personal goals. I now find the energy to get things done, which in turn gives me the energy to enjoy life, get fit and look forward to the future. Learning to say ‘no’ and prioritise some things I wanted to do has made such a difference to me.
Sue B - Southampton

This course helped give me understanding of goals in life and having time and confidence to achieve them. It has personally helped me to plan out my life.
Melissa Eden - High Wycombe

This life skills course has helped me to Learning to be more open minded, seeing my life in a different way, it has personally help me to be happier in myself.
Halima Zeb - High Wycombe

I attend this course to understand myself better.  I found it most useful to learn about values and it has personally helped me to understand others better.
Paula Sharman - High Wycombe

I found it really helpful that Janet gave me a totally new perspective on my situation, one I couldn't have seen by myself. Janet provided me with some ways I could begin to plot my own way forward that I have found really useful. I am more confident about starting my small business now.
C Lamb - Andover

I really found your sessions useful - especially finding out what motivates me (or not) and I've been trying harder to do the boring paperwork I need to do.  Funnily enough, there is now an opportunity for me to rethink my role in the school and if I hadn't been able to have the thinking/ideas time I had with you, I would be in a bit of a flap about it.  I've been more like me than I used to be, I certainly feel more able to take control and I'm ready to think about a new challenge to keep me motivated!

I've also been more confident about dealing with my Line Manager and tried to be more like he wants me to be in front of him - whether I'm performing the way he wants me to or not is another matter, but I certainly don't feel as threatened as I did or cross and frustrated with the way the goal posts keep shifting or about the way the tasks I'm given, have unrealistic deadlines or how they're not explained properly.  I have also tried harder not to sulk, strop and moan without taking a deep breath first!  A lot of that is down to just listening to that CD you lent me; can't remember which sentence it was but I think I told you something "clicked" and I've been able to be less touchy and paranoid.

Fiona
Ssenior manager in education- Hampshire”

Thank you for attending and talking at our development day on 12th October.  Your input was well received and I thought that you may appreciate some of the comments about your presentation and style: Inspiring, Excellent, Very thought provoking and
I am now going to evaluate where I am going thank you.

Tracy Moynihan
National Co-coordinator
British Association for women in policing (BAWP)

Following a shortlisting, Mpowerme was selected to provide a training package to a legal unit management team within a local authority.  The training sought was to provide skills development in a range of areas, such as effective time management, conducting appraisals, having crucial conversations and developing our teams, as well as interpersonal skills to help the management team function in a more positive and constructive way.  We were really pleased with what we received as it was completely tailored to our needs and wishes.  The programme also built in flexibility to allow us time to explore unexpected issues as they arose.  Whilst the core training was excellent, an unexpected and long-term benefit was also that we all gained a better understanding of the ways in which colleagues work, their motivations and the methods they use to get the job done.  We would have no hesitation in recommending Janet and mpowerme – the sessions were enjoyable and we continue to experience the benefits of them in the workplace.     

JB Senior manager Local Authority Hampshire

Downland have used Mpowerme for a new staff team who joined the organisation on a Tupe transfer. 

‘The work that Janet from Mpowerme has done with this team has enabled an external viewpoint to be considered by staff and enabled them to reflect on services delivered, their own motivation, and how they would move forward with their new employee. The work has been invaluable – it has enabled the team to have an ear that is totally impartial to the organisation enabling a free exchange of views, which has benefited greatly the manager of the service and the team themselves.  They were being listened to, and their views were considered as important and crucial to the future of the project.

The structure and pace of the project was well planned and delivered, and feedback was regular and appropriate in its format and content – although currently midway through the project the outcomes have already been positive, which is an investment that the organisation knows will give long-term benefits to staff, residents, commissioners and Downland.’
Amy Lawson
Head of Supported Housing
Downland Housing Association

It's been a pleasure working with Janet on our Leadership Academy Summer Schools and, judging from the feedback we've received, it's clear that our delegates got a lot out the sessions she was involved in running too."
Pascoe Sawyers
Director, IDeA Leadership Academy

This course covered a wide range of issues relating to personal development, and provided valuable information that attendees could readily use at home and in the workplace. The course was presented in an interesting, clear and informative manner, and received excellent feedback from all those that attended, with comments such as 'very valuable', 'best training event I have ever been to' and 'well beyond my expectations.
E Marshall, Customer Service Operations Manager, Jobcentre Plus, Southampton

Janet has helped the University develop a challenging training programme for Jobcentre Plus, which aimed to improve the management of time and stress in the workplace. She delivered an exciting, innovative and inspiring training day, which was enjoyed and appreciated by all delegates. This event proved to be one of the most successful organised by the University and is highly recommended to other organisations.
Anne Carty, Community Projects Manager, Southampton Solent University
www.solent.ac.uk/ceo

Without a doubt, our students have the advantage of knowing a lot of concepts and facts when it comes to business. However, these alone are clearly not sufficient when they take that brave leap into starting up their own company - with all its attendant risks and rewards.

Janet’s unique style and motivational techniques have helped each one of them to identify their own personalities, skills and motivations; and shown our young entrepreneurs how they can tap into these when aiming for commercial success. We know first hand that Janet’s input really has powered some of our students into the successful creation of sustainable businesses.

As a valued training supplier we would not hesitate to recommend her motivational services....'
Stephen Brown, Enterprise Projects Manager, Southampton Solent University
www.solent.ac.uk/ceo

The discussions during the staff training day identified strengths and weaknesses within the organisation’s structure and management processes, and the information gathered was extremely valuable.This information has now been collated and is supporting the re-structuring and organisational development currently taking place.
Jane E Smith, Director of Projects, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Youth Options
http://www.youth-options.org/

Janet undertook a project with City College to work on esteem and efficacy issues with young female students who were in danger of leaving their programmes of learning. She was very well prepared, engaged successfully with the students and provided useful recommendations.
Martin Simmons, Director of Curriculum, City College Southampton
www.southampton-city.ac.uk