Talent Bank Lunch and Learn – The Affinity Tree – Because taking care of you should be your most important job

Overview

Local government staff are no strangers to change. In fact, most people working in the sector are highly experienced in adapting and responding to constantly shifting environments.

But there are moments, like now with local government reorganisation, where change is happening at scale, with a great deal of uncertainty, and even the most stoic and resilient person may begin to feel the pressure.

We can be quick to notice and respond to our physical cues to take better care of ourselves. But we are far more likely to override the mental and emotional signals and carry on until they really begin to affect how we think, feel and work.

Developed using coaching, neuro-linguistic programming, and hypnotherapy practice, the Affinity Tree introduces simple techniques to help you feel steadier, calmer, more focused, and better able to respond during times of change.

What You’ll Experience

You’ll be introduced to the Affinity Tree and experience 2 or 3 simple practical techniques taken from the full workshop, which explores the themes of:

• Mindset Shifts: creating clarity to reduce overwhelm
• Emotional Fortitude: calming the mind and body.
• Awareness & Intention: recognising what you need before stress builds.
• Focus and Boundaries: protecting your attention and energy.

This is not about adding another thing to your already full working day. It’s about discovering practical techniques that can make a difference.

Why Invest the Time?

When we invest in our wellbeing, we are better able to:

• Think clearly and make better decisions
• Respond rather than react
• Maintain healthy boundaries
• Improve concentration and focus
• Reduce the impact of prolonged stress
• Protect our energy during periods of change

Taking better care of ourselves also means we can support others without becoming overwhelmed. There’s a very good reason the flight attendant tells you to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.

Organisations thrive when the workforce is healthy. Investing in yourself benefits both your work and your life beyond it.

Who Is It For

This session is for anyone working in local government.

Whether you lead a service, support colleagues, manage projects, work with residents, provide support services behind the scenes, are part of the senior leadership or executive management team, taking care of yourself isn’t separate from doing your job; it’s what makes doing your job possible.

About the Facilitator

Vicky George is a qualified coach, hypnotherapist and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, with more than 35 years’ experience in local government, including senior leadership roles.

Vicky blends her personal experience with professional expertise to deliver practical, engaging wellbeing sessions that are rooted in reality, relatable and immediately useful. Most recently, she designed and delivered sessions for City College Norwich staff development week. This is what the participants had to say:

• “Fantastic techniques – very helpful – everyone should have this training”
• “A great session – well delivered and useful”
• “Time for reflecting on existing skills and how they can be improved”
• “Calm touch anchor I found this very useful – my imagination took me back in time in minutes”
• “And that was truly relaxing, thank you”