visionary in
safe PRACTICE | Behavioural Change | Policy | People and Culture Management | performance
"I started as a peer mentor at 15, and I've been mentoring and coaching people ever since".
PERSONAL BACKSTORY
Growing up, life came with a mix of turmoil and connection. Like many others, her adversity started in childhood; the conversation around mental health was never healthy, informed or progressive. Snapshot: Her biological mother suffered poor-ill mental health, and from an early age she learned the language of silence. Unfortunately, Gemma was unable to grow up in the care of her mother, living with her father and stepmother (the only mother she knew/remembered), and by the time she was 12, she wanted to jump out of a window. With her parents not knowing much about her childhood adversities, life always felt like it was disconnected. Gemma's adverse experiences include homelessness, abuse, unhealthy relationships, academic struggles, low self-esteem, and a lack of belonging. For a long time, this fuelled shame, guilt and fear.
The impact of childhood adversity made dysfunctional relationships seem normal. She covered most things with a smile. As she got older, work was where she thrived, but for many around her, this was not the case.
THE MIRROR
At work, Gemma thrived because it was somewhat her safe space but a journey she took a decade ago led her to mindfulness, lifelong learning, mindful habits and access to various tools that, when she contracted sepsis at the end of 2023, Gemma was able to pull from them for recovery, adjustment and navigating living with a disability. Change didn't come from knowing what needed to change or how to do it but knowing that things had to change. One evening sitting with my journal open .......
Gemma created one statement that has guided her life. The old way is no longer an option.
Since 2021, Gemma has worked on national and regional improvement programmes, become a stoma brand advocate, sat on various advisory boards, supported the coproduction for a mental health research project, as well as sitting on various panels.
"Sometimes work and life are hard, but it's easier to do so with tools and techniques"- Gemma
THE CHANGE
_edited.jpg)
While working in education, Gemma met a student who would say she changed his life, but little did he know he changed hers. At just age 12, this student had a diagnosed of PSTD and Gemma could not understand how someone so young could have this but the more she learned about trauma she was faced with a mirror that showed her and others living in this survival state without even knowing or understanding it. Years of nightmares, dysfunctional relationships, feeling isolated, scared, being hyper vigilant or easily angered in close relationships the mirror was enough for Gemma to seek better.
Gemma no longer wanted to be the practitioner that spoke of change but one who embedded changed. This meant learning, unlearning to implement better thinking and habits. Once Gemma committed to her own personal mastery everything changed........
Work rate increased, relationships and interactions were connected and the results were clear.
A DECADE LATER
Currently, Gemma is a:
-
Member of UK Athletics Safeguarding Case Management Group
-
Community coproduction team for a mental health project - Bridging Divides
-
Stoma brand advocate for Salts Health Care
-
Member of ABM's workplace coaching and mentoring steering group
She is grateful to have had the opportunity to:
-
Sat on two interview panels for the MPS - deputy commissioner and assistant deputy commissioner appointments
Gemma is passionate about development and achieving potential with her experience. She created her signature applied practice called Agile Performance, which embodies self-mastery and mental adaptability.
Life will always give three things - challenge, conflict, and disruption and how you respond to it is the quality of your life. While Gemma's adversities have not stopped through the development of mindful tools, techniques and awareness how she responds to impactful experiences is different.
SEPSIS - MY BIGGEST ADVERSE EXPERIENCE
On the 1st of November 2023, Gemma woke up at home unable to walk, but due to not making the threshold for an ambulance, she ended up with a heavy sepsis infection from a perforated appendix, which perforated her bowel.
This was not known until after surgery, which also resulted in her losing 30% of lung capacity and gaining a stoma.
Gemma is a stoma brand advocate for Salt's Healthcare, which was a decision close to her heart. Helping to shape products design as well as being a part of global campaigns her mission is clear. She wants to show others, in particular within the Caribbean community, that it's not your adversities that make you, it's how you respond to them. She also wants organisations to think bigger about accessibility, better care, standards and practices.
Gemma ended up being put in an induced coma due to becoming very ill on the operating table. Once she woke up, she recalls hearing surgeons talking about her breathing and not being happy with it. In the faint distance her heard that they would give her 24 hours and put her back in the coma if it was needed.
Her mindful habits kicked in.
The same day and the weeks in her recovery, she engaged in mediation in very small bursts. Nothing to engage her thoughts to allow her brain to switch off for the best chance to recover, as she was still infected. Her road to recovery on her part was intentional. Her techniques, all learnt a decade before surgery would be needed.
Recovery was hard, but every day was filled with gratitude because she didn't think she would pull through....
Credentials
.png)
Qualifications
CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership in Coaching and Mentoring
DipHe Psychology
NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
NCFE Level 2 Understanding Mental Health First Aid & Workplace Advocacy
Certifications
I am committed to yearly CPD learning to keep my knowledge refreshed, up to date and innovative. Learning has covered the following areas: safeguarding, trauma-informed practices/approaches, neuroscience and mindfulness practices/training.
Awards
Fast Forward 15 2026 Rising Star Mentor Award And Jack Petchey Leader Award
Achieved 3 100% - ABA Visits (Mystery Shopper Visits) one is retail and 2 in hospitality
.png)