what they say about us

“changing cultures’ Nikky Smedley is a wonderful mixture of insight and passion, of facts and feelings. She has a gift for making the audience understand and appreciate the power that culture has for other areas of life including personal and organisational growth, and at the same time she engages and motivates people to experiment and stretch their comfort zones. She is both serious and playful, thought-provoking and funny.” Ragnar Siil, Managing Partner of Creativity Lab, organiser of EU Presidency Conference on Creative Crossovers

“A valuable course, it helped to take a bit of a step back from our daily problem solving and attempt to shift the angle of view against challenges we face daily.                                                                                                                  I would recommend it to other colleagues who aim for a leadership role or career path.” Paulius Šimkus,  Project Manager, Infrastructure Services – Change Delivery. Barclays Bank Group, Vilnius, Lithuania

“Nikky was a valuable contributor to the New Technologies in Education conference, reminding us passionately of what inclusive education is all about and how to use technology with the meaningful didactic purpose of not leaving any child behind.” Irena Radinovic, Deputy Manager and Digital Inclusion Coordinator, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit, Government of the Republic of Serbia       

“Thank you so much for your visit,  for your inspiring presentation – it was like a fresh nordic wind blowing above the audience – all the work you do is so precious!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences, thank you for your commitment, your kindness and warmth. This is how bridges will be built to discover, influence and change the future.”     Eha Vain, Culture Advisor,  Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia

“changing cultures‘ Conference Connect idea is brilliant … when you see and experience it at work, it’s magic. At the event I attended, lots of awkward strangers soon became a bunch of buzzing conversationalists – and everyone seemed to be making good connections. I know I did.”   James Wallman , LS:N Global – The Future Laboratory

“Your mentoring sessions have given me a clear sense of direction and steering. It was lovely meeting you and the sessions have really opened my eyes.. You have been truly inspirational and I have reviewed myself and my group from a different perspective after your mentoring.”  Amarjit Gill, Haripa Dance Group

“changing cultures addressed the brief we gave them and delivered on time and in budget, giving our participants a great experience on the day… it certainly contributed to a very inclusive, positive and encouraging vibe to the conference.” Cathryn Goodwin, Creative Engagement Officer, Creative Enterprise

“I’ve completed some of my most challenging and rewarding creative learning projects with changing cultures director, Nikky Smedley as my mentor. She is an inspiring and insightful ‘critical friend’ who enabled me to work beyond restrictions which I’d unknowingly placed upon myself. My professional Arts practice is better focussed and my confidence and skill as a practitioner have been greatly enhanced by Nikky’s involvement. ”
Louise Braithwaite, BMus(Hons) PGRNCM LTCL
Creative Learning Consultant & Practitioner (Music)
Orchestral Musician

“Michael Supple from changing cultures was brought in to facilitate a series of CPD workshops for managers and deliverers in both the Creative Industries sector and the Health and Social Care sector. Good and equal conversation – both within and across sectors – is not easy to generate and is not a given. I saw participants move from reluctant, sitting outside of conversation, to becoming fully engaged in conversation, sharing problems and open to talking through solutions with those outside their normal working environment.
It was a pleasure working with Michael. We would not hesitate to recommend changing cultures and hope to work together again in the future.” Anna Peavitt, Big Difference Company – http://www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk. Project manager for Wellbeing Wednesdays – a Leicestershire County Council, and NHS Leicestershire and Rutland partnership project.

“We weren’t quite sure what to expect from the session but we all agreed that we were very pleasantly surprised.
We liked the fact it was informal and fun and the topic was relevant to what we do so thank you very much.” Gemma Basterfield, UK Trade and Investment, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

“changing cultures listened to us and developed high quality training which helped us to challenge ourselves.”  Sheila Cowen, Head Teacher Brooke Special School, Rugby

“Thank you again for bringing the celebration to life. The participants were buzzing from the experience and the event is now been held up as an example of how to create a positive cohort culture. Please give yourselves a very large pat (slap if you can take it!) on the back.” Louise Rodriguez-Davies, Associate Director, Teach First

“Nicola’s ability to synthesise all ideas information and all that was thrown at her,  helped us organise our thoughts into realistic, sustainable initiatives which moved the school in the direction we wish to go in order to embed creativity as part of our drive to even higher quality teaching and learning. We could not have a better Partner.”
E Kenward, Deputy Head
Cardinal Wiseman School, Coventry

“I love the buzz that is created following your visits!”
Debbie Bateman, Head Teacher
Studley Infant School, Warwickshire

“Working with a creative partner who is able to enthuse, inspire and also offer practical support was extremely helpful for our children to be able to achieve in their creative project above what even they expected. We found Nikky to be very supportive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the role of the arts in allowing our pupils to engage and access the curriculum.”
Nick Rodriguez, Deputy Head Teacher
Priors Field Primary School, Kenilworth

“Mick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the classroom. His pedagogic practice is excellent and his understanding of how people learn is outstanding.”
 Mr M Griffin, Head Teacher
, Abbeyfield School, Northampton