Join & Connect

Every year, our Christmas party is a really special event. It's one of our smallest, most intimate, occasions, so we always look for somewhere very special to hold it. This year, we were lucky to have Jane Whitfield, founder of the Chamomile Suite, invite us to her beautiful home and in true Christmas spirit, throw open her doors to a large group of strangers, who became friends. Jane shared her own, very personal, story with us. 

“I am 50 next year and so far my life has been a story of extraordinary experiences. I have lived through, but more importantly grown through: a divorce, periods of depression, a nasty car accident, my house burning down, 3 floods, 3 break-ins, 4 miscarriages, an evening in police custody, a handful of unsuitable boyfriends, and a few different careers. And that’s just the good stuff!

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Seriously though, I’ve experienced some wonderful stuff too. I am a very lucky woman. Out of all of my life experiences so far, I am most proud of my son Alexei. I adopted him 7 years ago from Russia and he is the BEST of the best stuff – he always will be.

Along the way of experiencing the grotty and greatest things in my life, I discovered the best remedy was something very simple – to be listened to. I have been a coach now for almost 4 years, specialising in women in transition – women who are ‘stuck’, who are frozen with not knowing who they are any more, who have lost their identity or been traumatised. This can happen at any age and it can engulf you.

I coach women on subjects I have experience myself, with the one exception of cancer. My job and my skill as a coach, is to give my attention and listen at a deep level without judgement. To be heard and seen is rare – it is a gift you can give to others, which doesn’t cost anything but some of your time. It changes people’s moods, it creates an emotional clearing, anxiety loses its hold.  It is incredibly powerful.

To give someone your attention and time, and a safe space to express their vulnerability, helps prise open the cracks –  and this is where the light comes in. So if you want to give a friend, colleague, partner, child, whoever, a precious gift this Christmas, lend them your ear, your time, your heart, and listen.”

We are so grateful to Jane for being such a wonderful host! Find out more about her work at the Chamomile Suite.