My approach
I help individuals and organisations working towards a fairer, healthier society to engage with others to achieve positive change.
I draw on more than 20 years’ experience working in health and social change in the following ways:
Acting as a trusted partner Working with individuals and teams to explore and reframe complexities through coaching, mentoring, facilitation and project management. Developing strategies, goals and frameworks and moving through to completion.
Understanding audiences through in depth interviews, focus groups, ethnography and observation, as well as background interviews and desk research. Audiences may be involved throughout the project as co-production partners or reviewers.
Sharing insights and recommendations reviewing existing communication, summarising insight findings and exploring options, depending on budget and timescales
Developing solutions that will resonate with audiences and fulfil strategic objectives. These may range from high-quality film or animation to printed or digital content or something as simple as a laminated list, depending on the insights and budget.
My four-step process
Whatever I’m working on, I use the Design Council’s four-step double diamond model to guide me through my working process. Here’s how:
Discover
First, I’ll listen to make sure I really understand the problem and the context. I’ll provide space for you to explore your ideas, clarity ambiguity and find fresh perspectives, drawing on comms, research and coaching techniques.
Define
Next, we’ll whittle down the options to find the best one for you. If it’s helpful, we’ll get some stakeholder views. Then we’ll combine everything we know to pinpoint your goals. If you’re running a comms project, by now you’ll have a rock-solid brief. If we’re using coaching, you’ll have set clear goals.
Develop
Now, we assemble the building blocks of the project. These blocks comprise clear actions with a roadmap for each stage. We sketch out schedules, models and techniques, and gather feedback to make you’re on the right track.
Deliver
When we follow steps 1-3, this final stage comes easily. It simply involves ‘doing the thing’: following the roadmap, with accountability, guidance where it’s needed, and regular check-ins to make sure we’re on track.
The model is deceptively simple.
But combining exploration with structure ensures an enjoyable journey with successful outcomes.
See how I used this approach to encourage people with diabetes to attend eye screening here.
“It has been a privilege to work with Eleanor. She has brought clarity and practical usefulness to our work.”
Professor Michael West CBE, Senior Visiting Fellow, The King’s Fund
Professor of Organizational Psychology, Lancaster University Emeritus Professor, Aston University
“Eleanor is a skilled and thoughtful communicator. She is a joy to work with and has helped us deliver work that has gone on to have significant impact. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
Dr Jill Maben OBE
Professor of Health Services Research and Nursing, University of Surrey
“Eleanor brings with her a great talent for understanding audience need, a commitment to engaging storytelling, and an ability to develop content that really hits the spot.”
Katie Mantell
Chief Engagement Officer, UCL Partners
“Eleanor’s ability to translate complex issues and data into simple messaging has been invaluable.”
Gillian Garratt
Corporate communications, NHS England
“We’ve been delighted with the clarity Eleanor brings.”
Chris Graham
CEO, Picker Institute
“Through working with Eleanor, I found my voice
to communicate clearly and with courage.”
Charity sector CEO
“Eleanor helped me rediscover my confidence…
I’m secure in my professionalism and clear what I need to do.”
Health communications manager
“What I didn’t expect was to feel more grounded generally.
I have a new perspective on what I am doing and my place in the world.”
Serena Verdenicchi
Behaviour-led strategy consultant
“Working on my narrative was transformational.
Something has shifted in me.”
Nicola Wendel
Safeguarding consultant