Active Allyship Training: From Intention to Impact

We worked with Léa to engage Trustees in the organisation’s EDI work to ensure that Trustees and the Leadership were aligned. Léa ensured that the Trustees felt safe in gaining understanding of where they were in their journey on EDI before a workshop was held, which was balanced with some great exercises for the Trustees and Leadership Team to understand each other’s perspectives on EDI. One particular session enabled individuals to connect with each other to understand how their past experiences had shaped their values on EDI. It was a really bonding exercise for all. Léa is a great person to work with: She is open and understands that people are always on a journey with EDI and we are all learning, which makes people more comfortable with the subject.

Working with Léa has been a career highlight. I worked with Léa on a big cultural change project - I was the client and she was the consultant. Through her natural curiosity, Léa took the time to really understand our starting point and ambitions as an organisation. She planned in a way that was realistic but ambitious, linking the project plan to our goals and organisational challenges. During the project, she was structured and planned whilst also being agile - responding to the insight she discovered along the way. A big part of the project was listening to employees and Léa did this in an extremely caring and sensitive way - taking the time to build trust with everyone she worked with. Overall, I found her style to be incredibly dynamic and she was able to carefully bring all of our stakeholders on-board - from our ERGs to senior leadership and our CEO. Léa strikes an incredible balance of always being kind and professional yet challenging us every time it was needed - this is something I really appreciated.

[This workshop] was very eye-opening and I felt seen and heard. It was so interactive and interesting, with concrete examples so that there’s no opportunity for misunderstandings. I really love that we were all invited and given the floor to speak, and Lea was so good with emphasizing areas that needed to be highlighted (not blaming the victim, and finding ways to be allies and supportive). (...) I had a really lovely time and walked away with so much more awareness, knowledge and hopefulness that there is good in the world!

I've gained new thinking surrounding my responsibility as the only person of colour on my team. My main take away from the course is how to take on a leadership role when discussing EDI. Using the techniques from this course, I'm more able to approach conversations about EDI with both more empathy and more assuredness.

I first met Léa in a workshop in early 2024. As she talked passionately about her business, I knew she would be the right person to support us with our EDI efforts. Léa has the most wonderful way of communicating with clients. She really listens and hears what you have to say. She remembers important details, is very professional and knows exactly what she is talking about without making you feel embarrassed by what you have and haven't done as an organisation. Together with Léa during a challenging stage of our business, we talked about our true values and how to make those a reality - it hinged on our biggest asset, our People. We put conversations and aspirations into a neat and realistic action plan. Without Léa's guidance, this would never have been possible. I truly recommend Léa to any organisation, big or small, looking at starting or improving their EDI efforts. If you want someone flexible, knowledgeable and personable, Léa is the one. Thank you for all your support Léa.

We had the pleasure of commissioning Léa to facilitate conversations about identity and diversity for arts & culture professionals and venues in Cornwall. Our participants greatly appreciated Léa’s guidance and insights. Léa possesses a deep understanding in the area of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), which in partnership with her facilitation skills not only drove meaningful discussions, but also created a safe environment where everyone felt heard and valued.

Léa played a vital role in commencing our work on EDIB. Her commitment to and enthusiasm for understanding both us as an organisation as well as the needs and circumstances of the young people we support shone through. Léa made us think, question and challenge but all within safe boundaries, which has helped us take big strides in moving this work forwards over the space of 12 months. We enjoyed working with Léa and are pleased to recommend her.

Lea was a pleasure to work with. A great collaborator, full of energy, ideas and focus. She spotted when it was necessary to lead or to enable. The co-creation of Cornwall’s Creative Manifesto was a particular highlight of our time working together. Lea’s passion and expertise on shaping the inclusion and diversity priority of the Manifesto shone through. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lea or work with her again.

The course was really impactful for me and KARST. It was really well designed and effectively delivered. (...) The space [that Léa] created felt safe, open and reflective. Week by week I felt more curious and reflective as we covered session topics. The sessions had such an impact on thinking and curiosity that both [my colleague] and I found ourselves bringing session learning and questioning into both internal and external programme meetings. I now think a lot about my role as a leader and my responsibility in promoting EDI for KARST and personally.

As a new leader of a non-profit organisation that is committed to serving its community, I knew that I would have gaps in my experience and understanding relating to EDI and how important this is to ensuring our whole community sees Newquay Orchard and all we offer is for them. We are finding our way in the cultural development of what we do, and as part of the town of Newquay and wider Cornwall. Lea's excellent programme and resources have been invaluable and the opportunity to meet with others brings richness of experience to deepen the learning.

Léa held the group in a space that was safe and open, where we were comfortable in sharing what we thought and felt, and guided the process to generate actions that we could carry out afterwards. I felt positive and energised by the workshops, and it gave me confidence to move on with the process we had explored.

I found the course that I took with Léa really powerful and useful. I learned about the basics of EDI law and policy and also found the course to be very contemporary and rooted in allyship with marginalised voices. Léa held space for open and respectful dialogue and communication within the cohort. Since the training, I have felt more confident to take part in senior management conversations around EDI within my organisation. I would thoroughly recommend taking this training!

Léa was a fantastic host for our EDI workshop. Léa created a safe space and practical tools and solutions to take away from the day as well as giving space for meaningful discussions supporting us through challenging topics.

"I had a great experience in your workshop, talking about differences and values. It was such a joy and happy environment that we could learn."