Client case study: Sam
The Flying High Programme is a 1:1 career coaching programme for women who have experienced domestic abuse. Our experienced all- women coaching team take a trauma-informed approach and they provide a safe, secure space for our clients to explore their career goals and access the specialist, personalised support they need and deserve. This case study explores how the Flying High Programme supported Sam to gain confidence and flourish in her career.
Before her abusive relationship, Sam had a thriving career in TV and Film. During the relationship, her abuser stopped her from working. After her relationship she suffered from low confidence but also recognised that returning to TV and Film industry would probably have a negative impact, she searched for something that had less pressure and could ease her back into the working world. She chose a role working in reception, allowing her to meet people and work on her confidence.
She soon became Personal Assistant to the Chief HR Officer. As part of that role 'she started leading the well-being team and created a domestic abuse policy. It was then that she realised Choices could help her make her next move in her career, into the corporate wellness space. “But to get that confidence to feel actually, I can do this and this is what we need to, to get there.”
Sam had eight online sessions with her coach, Lara. The initial session determined that Sam would guide the sessions. At first, she felt unsure about taking the lead but quickly felt empowered by the opportunity to take control of the outputs. Throughout the programme, Lara checked in with Sam, ensuring she still felt comfortable with the pace, the coaching and the subjects. Lara provided space for great fluidity and flexibility; giving Sam tasks and areas to work on in between sessions without feeling the pressure of having to have achieved these by a deadline. Lara opened Sam up to a variety of tools; like personality tests and strengths surveys, to help create a tailored programme towards her goals in her career.
Before the programme, Sam recognised that as a result of her abusive relationship, she was unable to leave the comfort of her job, supportive manager, and progress in her career. Her friends and family were consistently telling her she “could do so much more” but lacked the confidence to do so.
“It seems a bit scary to leave, a lot of co-dependence with my boss, a lot of loyalty to my boss. We really unpicked that, that loyalty there because it was my first job out of an abusive relationship - she's allowed me to work in a domestic abuse sphere, to do all the mental health things and so I feel I can't leave because she has helped me so much. But Lara has really helped to see actually, ’You've done that. Like she's given you the space to do it, but you've done that.’ And so I can sort of see my strengths more clearly now in terms of...my capability.”
Sam’s goal for her sessions soon became clear: to build her confidence and to transition into the well-being industry. By the end of the programme, she had worked with Lara on her C.V and had started applying for new job roles, supported by her current manager.
