““With imagination...we can find ways of connecting with the power of whakapapa. The most effective means I have ever encountered for doing so was through taking part in an immersive workship on legacy thinking...created by cultural activists Ella Saltmarshe and Hannah Smith...Perhaps for the first time, I truly felt part of the interlinked chain of humanity””
— Roman Krznaric, The Good Ancestor
““After our globally distributed team was forced to cancel our in-person retreat due to Covid-19, we engaged Hannah to facilitate an ‘on-line retreat’ for us instead. We were amazed at what an incredible job she did of creating sessions that allowed us to deepen our connections without feeling like we were in yet another Zoom meeting.””
— AB, project client
““Wonderful facilitation - a calm strong presence and fantastic skill in capturing what was said. I loved our moments outside... and I look forward to more. I feel more grounded and connected to my work and our team, as well as to the wairua of [our organisation] ”
— RN, project client
““Hannah worked with me on a unique programme to empower frontline workers to create change. She is an incredibly skilled coach and facilitator. I can honestly say she helped bring about fundamental shifts in thinking and real transformation for several individuals. She has a wonderful ability to read a group and put people at ease whilst at the same time pushing them out of their comfort zones. Her style enables people to step out of their usual ways of thinking and find inspiration or answers to challenges for themselves. It added magic dust to our programme. Her use of the natural world in facilitation is extremely powerful and a real contrast to conventional approaches. I would highly recommend working with Hannah””
— AM, project client
““Taking time out to reflect on what is important and where to go next seems so simple, yet I find it is so easy not to do. With a blend of creativity, fun, action and reflection, Hannah created a supportive yet challenging space for me to take stock of where I am and plan for the future. And some of the exercises that Hannah introduced I still do 6 months on””
— CM, residential workshop participant
““Hannah’s humility hides an extremely impactful connector, knowledgeable advocate and powerful facilitator of learning. Both a deep thinker and practitioner, Hannah brings an incredibly authentic and grounded presence to groups of any background, with a gift of sparking ideas, collaborations and new directions””
— SB, project client
““She gently guided us barefoot through a gently meandering river, and created an experience so profound I can conjure it as I type. Hannah has a unique and rare gift””
— SB, workshop participant
““My work with Hannah helped me to gain greater clarity and perspective and she was a constant anchor as I encountered the inevitable highs and lows of such a transformational change process. Our outdoor sessions were particularly effective, and now many London landmarks serve as constant reminders to me of the journey we undertook and as prompts to continue to stay on track. Hannah’s creative style is refreshing and impactful””
— PD, coaching client
““In many ways, Hannah inverts what we often do in the heady communities of entrepreneurship — hero worship. She sees a larger sweep of change and, like many of the unseen weavers of our time, draws connections and attention to the hidden work of evolving systems. She is what our warm-hearted but geographically dispersed communities need. We need light on the bonds that bring us together, and weavers who can draw together our efforts more strategically, with greater heart, and therefore, greater impact””
— ML, collaborator
““Hannah is an inspiration and joy to work with. A natural nurturer, a curious enquirer and supporter; she lays the foundations for you to go after new goals and experiences. We have spent 1.5 years working together and what a journey it has been. Our sessions are spent outdoors, walking through London parks and the countryside. Working in an unpredictable landscape the process really challenged my perception on place, space and the journeys I wanted to take; I now could not imagine doing it any other way. Hannah taught me that coaching is about discovery, taking risks and investing in yourself. I did not know what to expect from coaching when I started this process, now I realise it is the most invaluable thing I have done. Hannah brings a voice that you can not ask of yourself and she helps empower you to start a process of change confidently””
— GD, coaching client
““I am slightly amazed at how this is making me feel. I forget the people rushing past me. I forget the noise of the traffic. I forget that I probably look like a total idiot. Instead, I remember how to breathe. Long, satisfying, life-giving breaths that feed and sustain me. I see the beauty and fragility of life and I breathe” ”
““Hannah has an extraordinary way of listening to what’s emerging in different places and fields. She understands, then connects disparate people who are parts of the same system – and don’t yet know their relatedness. In this way she weaves new conversations and new partnerships of great potential. She is also a careful and generous connector of people whose interests are similar, across the world – cross fertilising thinking and building capability worldwide””
— RW, project client
““Hannah has a unique ability to provide the space to be both vulnerable and be challenged. Her imaginative and playful activities have allowed me to explore the next stage of my journey. Working with Hannah has been key to guiding me through the crazy pandemic world and emerging with more insights, energy and purpose.” ”
