Calming Connections

17/11/2025

AURA Networking and Support Group. Our next meeting 📅 is on 3rd December and it’s all about Christmas 🤶. Who doesn’t love a bit of Christmas.

So if you are still thinking about coming to join us and see what we are about then come and take a look.

Terri Pugh and I will be there to welcome you along with our lovely members whilst we discuss all things Christmas, spread some Christmas cheer, perhaps have a little tipple and make new connections.

Every meeting is a chance to network, a moment to share successes, discuss new challenges, promote ideas and just generally be there to listen and uplift each other.

A more supportive, positive environment you will struggle to find and what’s more, you can try us out for free. Head to our website for more details. We look forward to welcoming you.

https://auranetworking.co.uk

16/11/2025

This is me today at the start of a mountain walk. I’m in training for the 3 peaks challenge next spring. 🗻. So this is how I will be spending most of my weekends combined with resilience training, hill reps, runs and yoga. (Yoga is probably the only part that I enjoy if I’m perfectly honest)

Scroll through the photos and you will see just how poor the visibility became as we progressed higher. We could barely see in front of us and we certainly couldn’t see the top of the mountains we were climbing. I find it mentally quite challenging when I can’t see where I’m going. I literally had no idea how far I had left to climb and when I turned to look behind me, I couldn’t see how far I had travelled.

This got me thinking (and I had a lot of time to think) Some days look exactly like this climb —
fog thick, visibility low, the summit nowhere in sight.

But progress doesn’t always come with a clear view of the finish line.
In work, in leadership, relationships, in life… we often have to keep moving forward without knowing exactly how or when we’ll reach the outcome we’re aiming for.

That’s where mental resilience becomes more than a concept — it becomes a practice. This is something I have learnt to practice overtime and now I teach. It’s that grit of pushing through even when it’s uncomfortable or hard.

It’s the ability to take the next step when the path is uncertain.
To trust your preparation when the challenge feels bigger than expected.
To stay committed when the result is still hidden in the clouds.

I’m grateful to be able to work with teams and individuals to help them build mental resilience and navigate the fog with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Just because you can’t see the summit doesn’t mean you’re not getting closer.
Keep climbing. 🌄

Reach out to learn more or share ✈️ so others can learn too.

03/11/2025

Following our successful launch evening with great feedback, There is still time to come and join us at our first meet up on Wednesday 5th November at De koffie Pot in Hereford at 19:00.

AURA Networking and Support Group for women. A new networking and support group where women come together to support one another so we can thrive together and grow.

We promise a warm welcome, a friendly atmosphere and a space to grow and connect.

For all future events and details take a look at our website:

https://auranetworking.co.uk/

We look forward to welcoming you there.

29/10/2025

Who is coming to join us for our first full meet up at AURA Networking and support on the 5th November 19:00 at De Koffie Pot in Hereford. Our guest speaker will be Claire Wozencroft

Claire has spent almost 30 years working in business development and marketing, including 13 years running her own digital agency. Now a freelance business development consultant, she supports companies across different sectors with their growth strategies. Alongside her consultancy work, Claire is also retraining as an Integrative Counsellor.

After years of pushing through at full speed, Claire experienced severe burnout that turned her world upside down. Her understanding of burnout has changed over time; it isn’t a quick fix, but a lengthy and difficult journey that affects both physical and mental health. Claire now speaks openly about what burnout really feels like, the lessons she’s learned, and how she continues to navigate it alongside her work and studies.

This session isn’t about theory or medical advice; it’s about lived experience. Claire will share her personal story of burnout: how it crept up on her during her career, what it looked and felt like, and the impact it had when everything finally came crashing down.
Through honesty and reflection, Claire will explore:
• How to recognise the less obvious early signs of burnout
• What it’s like to live through it, and why “just pushing on” doesn’t work
• The physical and mental toll burnout can take — and why recovery is rarely linear
• The practical steps and mindset shifts that helped her begin to recover
• How she continues to manage her energy and wellbeing today
Burnout is something many women face, but few talk about openly. Claire’s story offers reassurance that you’re not alone, while also giving practical reminders of how to protect your energy and find a healthier balance.

This promises to be a great session where we explore all aspects of stress as well as providing some coping strategies and insightful and helpful chats along the way.

20/10/2025

We had an amazing launch event for our new networking group and now the group is up and running.
This is a group run by women aimed for women.
We want to create a community where women support other women.

Community is where we create a setting to build confidence in one another. No matter where we are in life or where we are aiming to achieve- be it in business, home life, fitness, friendships- we will have each others back.

Sometimes all it takes is being around women who refuse to let you shy away and hide, women who look you in the eye and remind you of who you are and your power when you've forgotten it yourself.

We will be the women who clap the strongest, scream the loudest, when you win, who hug you the tighest and remind you the most who the hell you really are when you start doubting yourself or think you are failing, and we will refuse to let you settle for anything less than you deserve.

Strength and confidence doesn't come from perfection and success, it comes from community and togetherness , from knowing you've got people in your corner who won't let you forget that you’ve got this.

This is AURA

Come and join us. The first meeting is free.

10/10/2025

How can you best support someone who is struggling with their mental health- well you don’t have to be a trained counsellor or psychologist if that’s what you are thinking.

The most powerful thing you can do is:
Notice, Listen and ask how they really are.
Watch the video and let’s keep normalising mental health conversations one honest and caring check in at a time.

10/10/2025

This would you know the signs to recognise that someone is struggling with their mental health?

Some of these signs may tell us someone is finding life hard even if they are still smiling in the outside. Take a moment to watch.

27/09/2025

I am pleased and proud to introduce a brand new networking and support group for women that is coming to Herefordshire called AURA.
AURA stands for Align, Uplift, Rise and Achieve.

This is a group run by women aimed for women.
We want to create a community where women support other women.

Community is where we create a setting to build confidence in one another. No matter where we are in life or where we are aiming to achieve- be it in business, home life, fitness, friendships- we will have each others back.

Sometimes all it takes is being around women who refuse to let you shy away and hide, women who look you in the eye and remind you of who you are and your power when you've forgotten it yourself.

We will be the women who clap the strongest, scream the loudest, when you win, who hug you the tighest and remind you the most who the hell you really are when you start doubting yourself or think you are failing, and we will refuse to let you settle for anything less than you deserve.

Strength and confidence doesn't come from perfection and success, it comes from community and togetherness , from knowing you've got people in your corner who won't let you forget that you’ve got this.

Our launch evening is on the 15th October and we will meet the first Wednesday of the month thereafter 19:00 - 21:00 at De Koffie Pot, upstairs above the cafe. We will provide the refreshments. You bring the conversations.

Tickets to our launch night are free but we need you to register so we can provide the correct number of refreshments. You can access tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aura-networking-and-support-opening-night-tickets-1645923344029?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

For more information and to also see some of the great sessions and guest speakers we have planned take a look at our website

https://auranetworking.co.uk/

Please message me if you have any more questions.

Join us for a night of networking and support at the AURA Opening Night - meet new people and build connections!

11/09/2025

With AURA Networking group we aim to encourage women to commit to support one another. This is a new Networkung group coming to Herefordshire.

Our founding night is a free event on the 15th October at 19:00 at the De Koffie Pot in Hereford.

We will meet once a month. We have guest speakers each month talking about topics wellbeing or work related. We will also have a supportive what’s app group that you can opt into where you can accesss support, promotions or recommendations.

Building relationships and, yes, friendships too.

Like minded women lifting each other up, celebrating one another successes and achievements.

We are committed to providing the best possible format and space for everyone to thrive and feel part of a community.

No more feeling like you are the only one who is struggling or that everyone has it all together except you.

Join us at our launch evening and feel the connection and then leave feeling relaxed after some guided meditation.

Tickets are available here:

https://lnkd.in/eguDpuME

We look forward to welcoming you. For more information please message me or follow our page: https://www.instagram.com/aura_networking_and_support?igsh=ZjdwN2NjNHN4d3M4&utm_source=qr

28/08/2025

A vaccine against stress.

Learn how everyday, simple steps can improve your resilience to stress and overall wellbeing.

Our stress awareness courses cover all things regarding stress, the effects on the body, the causes of stress as well as many different coping strategies for stress.

Message me for more information.

25/07/2025

Gratitude: how often do we stop and think about what we are grateful for?

I’m going to start sharing things that I am grateful for. I would like to say that I will share this daily but I’m realistic and sometimes life gets in the way but I certainly will share regularly.

Gratitude is an easy process towards achieving a greater feeling of wellbeing.

Gratitude helps reduce negative emotions like envy, resentment, frustration, and regret. People who regularly practice gratitude have:

• Lower levels of depression and anxiety
• Increased happiness and life satisfaction
• Greater emotional resilience

Gratitude helps reduce social comparison.

When you’re thankful for what you have, you’re less likely to be envious of others. That leads to:
• Greater confidence
• A stronger sense of identity
• Increased self-worth

With all these benefits, we should all start looking at what we are grateful for.

I would love it if you share with me what you are grateful for and let’s all get more resilient and grateful together 👫👭

25/07/2025

Today is National Schizophrenia Awareness Day.

Of all the mental health conditions, Schizophrenia remains the most stigmatised.

There is still, among many people, the belief that Schizophrenia means “Split personality” but this is not true.

People with schizophrenia interpret reality differently to those around them. They may see or hear things that others do not. This is called hallucinations.

Our level 3 Mental Health First aid course includes Schizophrenia. When I ask people what do they think of when they hear the word Schizophrenia the most common responses are “Crazy” “Violent” “scary”

The reality is that people with schizophrenia are more likely to either be the victims of harm or harm themselves.

Awareness days provide the perfect opportunity to have discussions. Talking about it is one of the best ways to tackle stigma. People are often afraid of what they do not truly understand.

This misconception is not helped by news headlines such as: “man with schizophrenia commits murder”. The very fact that they put this detail in to the headline creates the assumption that the schizophrenia was a factor in the crime.

If this person had gallstones would they write “man with gallstones commits murder?”

Of course not, because it bears no relevance.

Films depicting criminals with schizophrenia are also unhelpful.

People living with Schizophrenia can live, fulfilling and happy lives.

Please be mindful where you obtain information from. Only read and share real, credible information.

Together we can all tackle stigma and discrimination so let’s start now.