Experience seen through the people and organisations involved.

I strongly recommend Lionne Whitfield - she was an excellent Careers Advisor who had brilliant interpersonal and relationship building skills with Walcot grantees. She consistently went over and above what was required in order for the young people to progress in their employment and careers. She was also excellent at reporting back and communicating the work to myself and Walcot trustees.

I am writing this long-overdue testimony with immense gratitude and appreciation for Lionne Whitfield, specifically as a Career Coach/Mentor. My experience of her guidance and support played and continues to play a pivotal role in the shaping and maturation of my professional journey over the past many years.

In 2014, fresh out of graduation and eager to navigate the vast landscapes of the professional world, I was fortunate enough to have Lionne take me under her wing. From the very beginning, Lionne exhibited a unique blend of warmth, expertise, insight, and patience that not only eased my transition but also propelled me towards numerous opportunities.

Starting with my initial role as an English Learning Support Assistant, Lionne's mentorship provided the foundation for my subsequent growth. Her unwavering support and encouragement instilled in me the confidence to explore various educational paths. Under her guidance, I flourished and embarked on a journey that eventually led me to my current position as the Head of one of the largest year groups in Dubai.

Lionne's impact extends beyond professional development; her influence touched the lives of not just me but also my family. She generously supported my mother, embodying the true essence of service and mentorship. The time, dedication, and genuine care Lionne invested in our growth are qualities that set her apart.

In a world where true mentors are a rarity, Lionne Whitfield stands out as an exceptional guide and supporter. Her contributions have been instrumental in my success, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities she enabled and the confidence she instilled in me.

It is with great pleasure and without reservation that I recommend Lionne Whitfield. She is not just a mentor but a beacon of inspiration, and I am confident that anyone fortunate enough to have her guidance will experience a profound and lasting impact on their personal and professional journey.

Thank you, Lionne and God bless.

Lionne held her position well as a Senior Employment Advisor role at Hexagon Housing Association. I met Lionne when I needed support to get back into employment after a change in career and with so many years out of work.

I can recommend Lionne’s services to people who want to get back into work, for career advice, help with your CV, covering letters and mock interviews. The list is endless.

Lionne got a work placement position for me on my first meeting with her, her slogan is " you 've got to be in it to win it"

She mentored me to build my confidence, improved communication, unlock my potential, signposted to other agencies for help and support and grant.

I later became her colleague with lots of people with her support and gain other academic qualifications.

Lionne believes in empowerment, getting people back to work to transform lives and community. Keep up the good work

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Lionne, and it’s no exaggeration to say she is an absolute premium careers advisor—and so much more. Her energy is contagious, and the opportunities she creates for students are nothing short of first class. Thanks to her dedication and network, our students were able to connect with high-profile entrepreneurs and influencers who inspired and empowered them. I highly recommend Lionne—her passion, professionalism, and impact are truly exceptional.

Lionne has been pivotal in changing the mindset of our students that have attended her career advice sessions, workshops and visits. Her focus and drive are characterised by her passion and ability to inspire students. She is empathetic and empowering at the same time. A great example of an impactful person. She gives her best and goes above and beyond for the students, making sure they understand their value and purpose in society/life.

One word to describe her - CARING.

Having Lionne as part of the Saira Circle Ambassador Group is a real privilege. Her support in helping source and interview new candidates for our hospitality programmes has been extremely helpful and her approach is like a breath of fresh air. Lionne’s approach with our candidates is professional but extremely personable, she is a joy to work with and we’re so proud to have her as part of our community.

Lionne has an exceptional ability to connect with people to surface insight that leads to quality service design. Working recently with our care leavers to help design new support services, Lionne was able to produce a high-quality report to our brief in good time.

Working alongside Lionne is an absolute pleasure… we’ve been collaborating on Mindfulness & Motivation Employability projects for almost 5 years… with evidenced-based success. She is diligent… dependable… integral… organised… considerate… compassionate… respectful… resourceful & reliable. She is a great asset as a colleague… contractor… & comrade. When she takes on a role she commits to it fully… she executes it to the best of her abilities. Whatever is needed to complete a project she will go beyond what is immediately available to ensure it. I look forward to continuing my journey with Lionne as far as it will take us.

She made me feel safe, seen, and empowered. She opened up both paths in a way that helped me understand what was possible.

When I met Lionne at an information session she ran at a school, she advised the attendees the ways she could assist people to get employment. I felt so encouraged and hopeful that I was on the right path in terms of getting the support I needed to enable me to return to work after having not worked for nearly 4 years.

I had previously worked in retail for 10 years and had a desire to work with children in a school. I also did voluntary work as a Playgroup Assistant for two and a half years, which I enjoyed. My goal was to return to work after completing my Teaching Assistant course in July 2013.

Even though determined, like most people who have not worked for a long period of time, I lacked confidence in many ways. Especially because this was completely different from what I had done in the past. Lionne was very impressive, she introduced herself and explained what support she would provide, spoke to us with respect and a lot of encouragement. I felt comfortable, made an appointment and started the programme. I got support with filling the gaps in my CV, cover letter, printing and posting them. I recall signing and sealing over 150 CVs and cover letters to increase my chances of getting an interview. She would email me vacancies and showed me sites where I could look for work.

Lionne tailored her support for my needs and provided me with one-to-one interview prep sessions which were very effective. She gave me feedback and encouraged me to believe in myself, which I began to do! I secured an interview in less than 4 months, which was successful and offered the role of a Teaching Assistant.

As a ‘bonus’ Lionne accessed funding for me to cover childcare, travel expenses and suitable attire to wear to work to make the transition into employment as smooth as possible. All of this enabled me to focus on my role and do my best.

Every day of my life, I remember how Lionne supported me through her work and the joy she brought into my life doing her work. I pray that I may do the same for the children in my school and community to encourage them and see that they achieve their goals. I would recommend anyone to seek support from Lionne.

I am overjoyed to share my incredible testimony about Lionne Whitfield a remarkable woman whose guidance has transformed my life in profound ways. Before crossing paths with Lionne, I regrettably took for granted the immense value of my language skills, which included fluency in four languages. However, Lionne's unwavering belief in my potential opened my eyes to the true power of my abilities.

With Lionne as my mentor and guide, I embarked on a remarkable journey that led me to become a Secondary School Teacher specialising in French and Spanish. Her expert coaching and unwavering support helped me see the profound connection between my language proficiency and my passion for teaching.

Under Lionne's wise counsel, I learned to harness my linguistic talents and channel them into creating engaging and immersive learning experiences for my students. Her guidance has equipped me with the necessary tools to effectively teach languages, allowing me to share my enthusiasm and ignite a love for French and Spanish in the hearts of my students.

However, Lionne's impact goes far beyond the realm of languages. She taught me to recognise the skills I possessed as a parent and utilise them wisely, effectively closing the gap in my CV. Lionne instilled in me the understanding that every experience, even hobbies and interests, can be linked to my career goals. Her expertise in marketing and self-confidence building empowered me to sell myself with conviction, transforming my approach to interviews and enabling me to walk in knowing that the job was already mine.

What truly sets Lionne apart is the deep bond we formed. Our relationship transcended the boundaries of a traditional advisor-client dynamic. Lionne treated me as an equal, a partner in this transformative journey. She rooted for my success as if it were her own, demonstrating unwavering commitment and fostering a genuine sense of partnership.

Lionne's dedication extended beyond our scheduled sessions. She checked in on me regularly, reaching out via text, email, and phone calls, always genuinely interested in my well-being. Her support and encouragement provided the unwavering motivation I needed to persevere.

At every step along the way, Lionne guided me towards my ultimate goal. The employability, presentation, and communication skills that I enhanced under her guidance now serve as invaluable assets in my career. And now, I have the incredible privilege of passing on these skills to my own students especially those in year 10 students as they embark on their work experience journeys.

Lionne's impact is immeasurable. She not only transformed my professional trajectory but also empowered me to inspire and guide others. Her influence creates a ripple effect, touching the lives of countless individuals. I will forever be grateful for Lionne's unwavering support, belief in my potential, and the profound partnership we formed. She is an exceptional woman whose remarkable dedication has left an indelible mark on my life.

Lionne's service goes above and beyond mere careers advice and employability skills. Her innate ability to show empathy, coupled with her extensive knowledge and understanding of the labour market, allows her to meet the unique needs and requirements of her clients. Her personalised approach and dedication to their success sets her apart. With Lionne's guidance, I was able to navigate the job market with confidence and secure a role that aligned perfectly with my goals and aspirations. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking professional guidance and support in their career journey.

I cannot emphasise enough how grateful I am to Lionne for what she has done for me. Her professionalism and, in these rare times, genuine care have enabled me to reach my potential. When I met her, I was a single mother with basic English. She believed in me and pushed me to achieve more. I still remember her tenacity, countless hours reaching out to potential employers, interview preparation, and even providing funding for outfits and shoes to ensure I could look presentable.

Now, I am a Senior Criminal Justice practitioner employed by the NHS. I will always be grateful for all the help she has provided.

Lionne has been amazing from the day I met her. I took a big step when I decided to change the field of work I was in and Lionne supported me every step of the way. From writing out a personal statement and application process to regular check-ins. I have progressed well in my career and am in my final year of my health care management degree. I have nothing but gratitude for Lionne.

I met Lionne at a skills and employment fair. Her beaming, warm smile drew me across to the project she was promoting.

She explained the project in a friendly way and made me feel instantly that I had a chance of securing a job. She challenged me to say what my expectations were and what I hoped to gain from her project, then set out her own expectations and the support she could provide.

Lionne helped me smarten up my CV, taught me how to sell myself at interviews, and was always at the end of the telephone to help me prepare.

My CV attracted many employers, and with Lionne's help I secured a role as a receptionist. Lionne is a truly inspirational person!

I highly recommend Lionne as a compassionate and empathetic careers coach. Her expertise was invaluable in crafting tailored CVs, cover letters, and navigating complex application forms. Lionne’s insightful guidance and interview preparation equipped me with the necessary skills to secure employment successfully.

Her dedication to fostering career growth is truly commendable. If you’re seeking a coach who combines professionalism with genuine care, Lionne is the ideal choice.