About the Hayward Hub

It's easy to write references to people who earn it. It's not easy to get this out of a person with cold blood like me (ex USSR national), it's like squeezing a vine out of stone, but here you go!

So, I have been working with Susan of the Hayward Hub since around April 2023. We started working through the Specialist Consultant of Executive Training and Consultancy. My business went through a tough time in the last 12-18 months prior to meeting Susan, and I & business needed consultancy (and a lot) related to getting out of dark and challenging ground. At the very first meeting, I noticed Susan's communication style, ability to speak with authority and integrity. I actually asked her about this and she recommended somebody to help me further with my communication skills. I am seeing many positive results as a result of working with Susan, although we are still in the infancy stages of rebuilding new foundations for future global tech company, Susan is an honest consultant with a keen eye for positive business improvements and further steps for me to take. Don't get mistaken with a soft gentle approach, you will be kept accountable, we all need that habit: to do what we say we will do.

Very informative! Sue took time to give a lot of information, whilst challenging old habits we may naturally pick up and gently adjusting them for the better help of our young people. Really gives an insight into the many reasons, genetic and non-genetic factors, that can affect a person's mental health. Would love a refresher course yearly and to be able to make contact for any queries! Thank you!

I am writing to thank you for your support for the MHFAE Instructor in training programme during 2024. You have always been available when needed, via phone and email (a recent example included). You have proactively, contacted the cohort well in advance for setting a more formalised catch-up via Zoom (which has meant I’ve been able to prepare and ask questions which you have very robustly responded to 😊 You have been extremely engaging a real champion for Mental Health First Aid England! Thank you

Susan was absolutely fantastic at guiding us through and helping us absorb quite a large amount of knowledge. I found the content incredibly valuable especially as we got to role-play a lot of different scenarios quite a few times which gave us practice and confidence going forward.

I thought the pace was good – so much to think about but enough time to discuss everyone’s questions. Susan was upbeat throughout and really encouraging and positive, making everyone feel comfortable to comment and get involved. The breakout sessions worked well for this too. Having the app to support the course is very useful. The videos and very varied case studies were well thought through and covered a lot of ground. But keeping the overall frameworks simple meant it was not overwhelming at any point. Very helpful for work and life. Thanks very much to Sue!

Susan was absolutely brilliant! The course was very jammed packed, a lot information to remember but she did amazing and executed it superbly!

Sue was very knowledgeable and personable. She tackled a difficult topic with sensitivity. She encouraged a fun learning style and actively requested thoughts and feedback throughout. It's very interesting to hear a variety of perspectives and interpretations of the topics and information provided and it was really helpful that Sue kept reminding us that it's OK to have your own perspective, you don't have to agree with someone else's but when operating as an MHFAider, you need to focus on that person's reality. It was a really helpful course.

The course was a welcome refresher. It was useful to be brought  up to date with the latest resources and how we can access even more information through the App, MHFA partners, etc. It provided good reinforcement of our supporting role and an opportunity to learn from our colleagues by promoting good discussion around different scenarios and the different approaches taken by individuals. It was an open and welcoming environment as always.

Susan was great and kept everyone energised on a Friday afternoon!

Susan was a fantastic instructor. I would like to look for courses that she runs specifically in the future. Easy going, but knowledgeable. Feel confident in running this course in the future.

I have not completed a refresher course for MHFA on teams/zoom before and to be honest was dreading it. However, Susan made us feel like we were all together in one space, somehow we all really felt connected. A very good teacher/course leader who listened to everyone, even when views differed from her own.

Susan was kind, empathetic, and deeply supportive. She guided us through difficult topics and conversations with care and professionalism, creating a safe space for open dialogue. She consistently made herself available before, after, and throughout our journey. Her presence as a moderator was both grounding and impactful.