Resilience, Inclusion and Diversity | AC Health & Nutrition

Bend, not break; Building Resilience in the Workplace

In today’s high pressured and ever-changing working environment, it is fundamental to develop effective strategies in the face of multiple demands and learn how to ‘bounce back’ following challenging times. Building individual resilience in the workplace is vital in order to actively learn from setbacks whilst being able to move forward in a positive and constructive way.

Drawing upon the latest research, this practical and interactive workshop will explore how employees can develop resilience to not only enhance their wellbeing, but add to their job satisfaction and performance.

These sessions are run by Dr Amanda Bates who is a Chartered Psychologist, campaigner and advocate for Face Equality who strives to challenge the assumptions and stereotypes around difference, disability and beauty. She has appeared on BBC World (live), Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch (live), BBC South East, BBC Radio Kent (live) and spoken nationally and internationally about a range of topics including

Resilience
Equality
Empowerment
Service user engagement
Building confidence and self-esteem
Managing chronic conditions
Treatment decision-making

Amanda is an Ambassador for the charity Changing Faces and also takes part in diversity modelling. She was proud to walk the runway at London Fashion Week in 2023 and has posed for the world-renowned photographer Rankin. The projects with Rankin challenge perceptions of beauty in the fashion industry. Amanda has also appeared in the magazines ‘Psychologies’ and ‘Ladybeard’.

In her talks and workshops, Amanda draws upon her professional knowledge and skills as well as her personal experiences of the challenges posed by looking different in a world in which people are so readily judged by their appearance.

Amanda’s alter ego is an interior designer and Strictly Come Dancing champion.

Dr Amanda Bates is an ambassador for Changing Faces, a charity which supports people with facial differences. Logo as per website to be used on our page please. If you would like to read more of her story here. Search | Changing Faces

Given her experience and eloquency and advocation for her peers she is regularly asked to appear in various charity and media pieces…see below.

BBC South East – May 2023
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-kent-65639195

BBC Radio Kent (live) – May 2023
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fk26jq
Fast forward to 2:15 for the interview.

Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch (live) – May 2023
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/stephs-packed-lunch/on-demand/74264-148
Fast forward to 44:39 for the full interview.

ITV / Meridian News – May 2022
https://we.tl/t-R3MhC7kWjs

Amanda was thrilled to receive a personal invitation from RANKIN to be photographed and written about in a piece called What is Human Beauty? (Rankin) - December 2019

BBC World (live) – May 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrTIQfK0-Q
Featured in a Daily Mail online piece - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6338483/Children-urged-not-dress-ugly-characters-Halloween.html - October 2018

Portrait Positive campaign with RANKIN – May 2017
https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/previous-campaigns/portrait-positive/

Radio 4 – ‘It’s All In The Mind’ programme
Speaking on The Psychology of Disfigurement – November 2012
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p0h5z

I have also modelled wedding dresses for Models of Diversity (MoD) as featured in Models with disabilities star in an inclusive bridal photoshoot | Daily Mail Online; the resulting images also appeared in a range of bridal media. Consequently, MoD invited me to walk the runway at London Fashion Week in 2023, modelling for House of Flint and Amor Emel – see (1) Models of Diversity's "Fashion Revolution" for London Fashion Week 2023 - YouTube

Make an enquiry

To make an enquiry or to find out more about my services and how we can help you, please call 07787 568279 or click below to send an email.

Get in touch

What our clients say

Alison is very personable and incredibly enthusiastic, which came through in the presentations. Feedback from our employees was outstanding. closed

Caroline Jeffcote, UNUM

The feedback that we have had from staff has been very positive and I would recommend Alison to any other organisation looking for similar nutrition workshops for staff. closed

Lee Watson, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

Thank you for your help arranging the food demonstrations in our Warrington office. The room was really engaged with the demonstration and asked lots of questions, as well as getting to enjoy the food... closed

Amy Tomlinson, Atkins

Throughout the whole process Alison was extremely professional and creative with her ideas of what she would be able to bring to the events. closed

Mark Murison, West Kent Housing Association

The demonstration was interesting, engaging and interactive; actually getting to taste the produce gave a real idea on what was achievable. closed

Chris Williams, National Physical Laboratory

We found our employees were very engaged with the whole concept of healthy eating and it’s wide ranging benefits. closed

Arqiva SHE Team

I would definitely recommend Alison for speaking at client events and look forward to working with her again soon closed

Sarah Baker, HCA International

I wanted to thank your team for helping to make our annual Health fair a success. The food demonstrations were the most talked about of the event... closed

Stephanie Peat, Network Rail

I would not hesitate to recommend your company and will be in touch in order to arrange your services at our event next year. closed

Jackie Davies, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital

The general feedback was excellent your session was the one that most participants commented that they are going to use their newly found knowledge to improve their diet! closed

Claire Ryan, Macmillan

The feedback has been so positive from the participants, with people enquiring about potential further workshops or MOTs. closed

Rhys Owen, JDX Consulting Ltd

Alison and her team of Dietitians worked across the UK promoting the health benefits of a leading Dairy brand in conjunction with Wax Live... closed

Liz Buncombe, Wax Creative

On behalf of myself and the Wienerbuger team, I would like to pass on our sincere thanks to Alison. Every team member has commented to me how amazing she was! The food preparation was superb, and I’m told very tasty indeed. closed

Tim Burgess, Wienerberger

Alison’s demo was great and a real eye opener. I’m going to get some Bulgur wheat this weekend thanks to her! closed

ADM Milling

Thank you for the Food Demonstration Event held on Wednesday 12th September 2018. The staff really enjoyed it and liked the samples that were given. closed

Abi Byford, Rainbow Nursery

I'd recommend everyone and anyone to have Alison deliver one of her workshops, she not only gave us useful health advice but and made the session fun and interactive. closed

Roxanne, Astound Commerce

The presentation was excellent, and I liked the way it was focused and no-nonsense which was sympathetic to the time-demands on teachers. closed

Peter Spencer-Lane, Saint Pierre School

Alison has a flare for charming audiences with her easy-to-understand, no-nonsense nutrition knowledge. Cutting through the noise and misinformation out there to give food & drink brands credible, reliable nutrition messages. closed

Julie Horsley, DoH (Department of Health)

The workshop was greatly received and everyone who attended got really excited about what they were learning. closed

Lauren Hensby, Zurich Insurance PLC

You managed to pack a great deal of information into a limited time, and you did it in a very energetic and engaging way closed

Sarah Hendry, DoH (Department of Health)