I've always been a learner. I still am. Quiet, thoughtful and resilient. Being the first person in my family to go to University I craved security yet I also wanted autonomy, creativity and the freedom to explore. I learned to forge a path which provided all of these things. It’s taken a while and it remains a work in progress. I like to share what I’m learning along the way so that you don’t have to say ‘I wish I had known...’.
I believe people should be able to live a life they choose and love on their terms without the guilt. I believe we all have a choice and we must accept the consequences of that choice - doing nothing is also a choice. I am firmly convinced of the ability for anyone to develop given the right opportunity. I strongly believe in the power of education, coaching and wellbeing to transform a person’s mindset, opportunities and lifestyle. To this end; through my coaching, speaking, retreats and training, I help to create time, space and distance for academics and information professionals to achieve clarity and explore possibilities without distraction.
I’m the mum of two children and one cat (it used to be two), originally from South Yorkshire and now based in Buckinghamshire. I am a trainer, a senior lecturer, an ILM qualified coach, an information professional, a writer, a 200 hour YAI accredited yogi and a gardener (I primarily grow vegetables). I have spent sixteen years working in the UK Further and Higher Education sector. I currently work full-time at Brunel University London as a Senior Lecturer in Academic Professional Development and as a personal development coach. Prior to that I spent over five years there as a Subject Liaison Librarian, supporting the Social Sciences department and running the information and digital literacy programme.
How I can help:
• Teaching and promotion - learning how to mentor others; creating a teaching philosophy; getting (and staying) organised; using social media to raise your profile and connect with others; writing retreats; keeping up to date; information literacy; observations; getting accreditation with Advance HE
• Personal transitions, parenting and wellbeing - finding your identity and values; everyday mindfulness; finding a balance that works for you; returning to work; being the 'breadwinner'; creating support networks
My background and interests:
- I was the first in my family to go to college and then on to University
- I have taken two maternity leaves, in fact I actually interviewed for my current role while heavily pregnant!
- I am a qualified coach. I gained an ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in 2019. Please see my coaching page for more information
- I am a chartered academic librarian from South Yorkshire and have worked in Further and Higher Education libraries, albeit in and around London, since 2004. I was awarded my Masters in Library and Information Science from UCL in 2008
- I am an experienced trainer and conference speaker. Engaging with an audience to share my knowledge, motivate and enable learning is something I am passionate about. Please see my Speaking and Training page for more details
- I have been practising yoga and teaching mindfulness for ten years – it has seen me through many a tricky patch. I have recently completed my 200 hours and am now working towards an additional 300 hours.
- I write. I have written this blog since 2011, plus many guest-blog posts, book reviews and articles – please see my publications page
- I’ve won many bursaries and awards, the most exciting of which still remains the Leadership and Management/SLA Europe sponsored Early Career Conference Award in 2012 which meant I received an all expenses paid trip to Chicago!
If you are interested in collaborating, please use my contact form or send me a message via LinkedIn or Twitter.
My Twitter account is @SarahWolfenden
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