Sarah Fearn Email & Phone Number

I'm currently a mental health trainer, speaker, course writer and workshop facilitator for Lancashire Mind. I deliver mental health related training, speak at conferences, create new training sessions and workshops, including e-learning courses on platforms such as Moodle. I design both bespoke training for specific organisations and for schemes which offer training across Lancashire, such as Business Health Matters. I also assist with organising and promoting workplace conferences and workplace related forums. I write thought leadership and create resources for the Lancashire Wellbeing Business Network membership scheme, as well as facilitating networking sessions and working with our LWBN charity partners.

London, United Kingdom

I was a Senior HR Consultant with Psyche & Heart LLP, a HR and business consultancy organisation. We supported businesses in a wide variety of ways, from high level strategy to day to day HR fundamentals or with improving line management. We were especially adept at improving workplace wellbeing and mental health. I am fully trained in Mental Health First Aid Supervision and I am certified to teach several Ofqual regulated Mental Health First Aid courses. We were different to other training providers in that we combined most of our training with relevant employment law instruction and practical guidance for managers. My work involved a wide range of HR tasks, such a providing HR outsourcing, full HR audits, policy or process development, advising on employee relations cases, advising on best working practices for employee wellbeing and productivity, working on company structure and recruiting, attending interviews, advising on communications strategies, supporting change management, TUPE, improving employee engagement, conducting return to work meetings, advising on reasonable adjustments, implementing mental health and wellbeing action plans, conducting mental health and wellbeing reviews, leading focus groups, conducting interviews and arranging surveys.I conducted line management training, neurodiversity and workplace specific mental health or wellbeing training. I was also a public speaker, taking on guest speaking engagements related to neurodiversity, mental health, and wellbeing at work.

A short-term position as head of the people function, advising on change management and implementation of new HR processes following a management buyout.

Billericay

I was the HR Manager at Acketts Group, an ATM installation and shopfitting company. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTSAcketts Group won an award for innovation from Anglia Ruskin University and Essex County Council. The extensive HR changes I made since joining the company were taken into account as part of the judging criteria and contributed to the company winning the award.

Billericay

I was the main contact for matters related to HR. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE • Processing confidential information• Altering Contracts• Writing official letters• Updating personnel files• Assisting with recruitment• Organising events and treats for employees• Supporting overall employee wellbeing and engagement• Ensuring staff are properly trained • Inducting new starters• Ongoing development of company HR processes PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS When I first started in this role I organised an audit of the company HR processes. I discussed this with senior managers and I made changes to existing procedures to improve the way HR functioned within the organisation. I also assisted with management training and the creation of a new company appraisal system.

I created Dysbooks in 2010 to support dyslexic people of all ages with reading and writing. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE • Designing and administrating the website• Writing website copy• Writing blog posts• Using twitter and facebook to build engagement• Scripting reviews and recommendations for filming • Appearing in footage for use on youtube and the website• Researching the best dyslexia resources for my audience • Organising and running events • Researching and keeping up to date on matters related to dyslexia and books• Designing and creating posters, headers, and other visual media using Photoshop • Working with other organisations and individuals on joint projects• Providing individually tailored support and information across a wide range of platformsPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS I created Dysbooks in response to being a dyslexic person who adores literature. I discovered there were very few resources to support me or to connect me with others like myself. It was difficult to find information on dyslexic writers or inspiring stories about dyslexic people excelling in what many would assume to be an area of inherent difficulty. There was also very little information aimed at supporting teachers or parents who wanted to find suitable reading material for dyslexic children while they were developing their literacy skills. It seemed to be a huge unmet need and I felt I was well placed to do something about it. My degree course, work as a bookseller, and voluntary experiences have provided me with vital skills for this undertaking. I have a good knowledge of aspects of publishing and some contacts with successful dyslexic authors, who have been very supportive of the project. I also have experience in creating simple websites, an excellent understanding of dyslexia, and I am accustomed to using social media for promotional purposes. My greatest achievement with Dysbooks has been to help other dyslexic people and their families.

I was an editor for RASP (Rebelling Against Spelling Press). This is a nonprofit organisation which is dedicated to nurturing and publishing the work of dyslexic writers. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE• Selecting and editing work for publication• Working with other editors• Communicating with authors• Writing introductions • Writing blog posts• Assisting with marketing and publicity via social media or eventsPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS I edited Everything is Spherical, an anthology of writing by dyslexic authors. The anthology includes writing by Costa Award winner Sally Gardner, as well as respected academics and emerging talent. One of my own short stories, Webs, ended up being included in the anthology (after vetting by my co-editor).I learnt a huge amount about publishing and writing during the editing process. I also got to work with some exceptionally talented and lovely individuals.

I sold books for a branch of Waterstones. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE • Hand-selling books, stationary, toys, and electronics• Assisting with eReader enquiries, from making sales to support using the devices • Making book recommendations• Researching and locating the correct books for customers, sometimes from limited information or on very specialist subjects• Administrating the store’s facebook and twitter accounts• Writing reviews• Sharing knowledge of specialist sections with colleagues• Publicising book signings and other in store events• Coming up with and running regular events, particularly for children• Reading to children at weekly story times; making sure I did all the voices• Providing exemplary customer service at all times, even under stressful conditions such as at peak trading during the lead up to ChristmasPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS The branch of Waterstones I worked at is a fantastic little bookshop with a great range of books and stationary. The staff pride themselves on being friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I greatly enjoyed my time there, and learnt a great deal about the book trade, retail, hand-selling, events, and customer service. I was particularly good at hand-selling books and creating window display that were creative while fitting with the company guidelines. I was eventually responsible for creating the majority or our displays and I was asked if I would be willing visit other stores to show them how to do these in a similar way. The most enjoyable part of the job was making book recommendations and organising events, particularly those for children. It was incredibly rewarding to see them enjoying themselves while increasing sales for the store. There were no regular events before I joined the bookshop, but I began monthly and then weekly children's events. I held these on Sundays when the shop was quieter to increase footfall.

I designed and administrated a website for a non-profit organisation. I used Microsoft Sharepoint included with the Microsoft 360 package for small businesses. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE • Designed a website for TOTKO (Takes One To Know One)• Regularly updated and administrated the website• Wrote blogs for the organisation• Recorded short sections of video footage• Set up email accounts for members of the organisationPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS TOTKO was a non-profit organisation that gave workshops related to learning differences. This was primarily done within schools for students, teachers and parents. Being dyslexic myself, and having supported students with learning difficulties as a mentor, I was drawn to the organisations aims. I was thrilled be able to volunteer to support TOTKO and the important work the organisation was doing.I had previously only done a small amount of work on websites using content management systems, but TOTKO's requirements made me decide to increase my knowledge of HTML and CSS so I could achieve more within the framework I was using. I installed a number of useful Widgets to introduce features like a twitter feed, social media buttons, and a map. The organisation wanted the website to be accessible to those who struggled with reading, particularly through having an audio option. I did not have the skill to code in software to read all text on the website so I solved the problem by using play buttons that provided an audio version of the text which I had pre-recorded. I did this using my own voice, microphone and free audio software. This lead to a much more natural sounding result and it was well received by the organisation. I also choose easy to read fonts, a slightly larger font size and wider spacing, as these measures have been shown to be helpful to struggling readers.

Essex

I coordinated the PR and marketing for the productions of an amateur dramatics group. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE• Created marketing plans• Administrated a facebook group• Updated a twitter feed• Established coverage by local newspapers• Wrote to newsletter subscribers• Wrote copy for leaflets • Designed and administrated the group's website• Wrote copy for most of the website• Liaised with photographers• Designed posters using Photoshop• Wrote risk assessments• Conducted market research• Wrote press releases• Conducted picture research• Attended regular committee meetings• Worked with other committee members to make decisions affecting the drama groupPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS I initially joined the group just to act as this is something I have loved doing since childhood. When I found out the group needed a Publicity Officer I put myself forward as it seemed like a great opportunity to support the group, improve my skills, and gain experience. I really enjoyed my time in the role and the varied work it involved. I gained the group media coverage from the local press for our productions and increased audience attendance numbers based on those for previous shows. I did this by exploring alternative target demographics and by setting myself achievable sales goals. The productions themselves went ahead without any difficulties. These were well received by the local press and by our audiences.

Peak relief and holiday work performing administrative tasks for a company specialising in installing ATMs and ATM security products. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCE• Editing copy for the Head of Marketing and Sales• Using all Microsoft Office programs• Organising documents relating to surveys• Answering phones• Scanning• Filing• Shredding• Tidying offices• Taking messages• Greeting visitors at reception• Preparing refreshmentsPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS During this period I was still in education and I worked for the company around my studies. I was able to develop a professional phone manner, learn about working in an office environment and see how people worked together as part of a business. I developed my confidence in communicating with a wide range of people and in my own abilities. I took on more responsibilities as I matured and I consider my early experiences with the company to be invaluable. They helped me to develop not only as an employee, but as a person.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English, American Studies And Creative Writing, 2:1

Activities and Societies: Creative Writing Group MemberThe degree course primarily focused on the English and Creative Writing components.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Public Speaking Team, Debating Team, Drama Club, Choir, Creative Writing Club, News Day participant. Voluntary.