Vivienne Smith

Vivienne Smith is an author, teacher, coach and speaker and she also works as an oracy leader, helping young people to discover their voice through public speaking and debating workshops. Drawing from a life and career rich with challenge, Vivienne uses compassion and creativity to help others to communicate confidently and fulfil their potential.

Vivienne has just published her second book - "Kind Words for Tired Teachers - Rediscover Your Passion and Purpose". It includes her own personal journey of training during the pandemic, battling back from the brink of burnout to discover a renewed sense of passion and purpose, and why she's not a tired teacher any more! Morale and retention in the profession are at an all-time low and most schools don’t have an HR department. The book is for teachers who feel broken: who want to stay but need help to thrive, or are tempted to leave, but wonder if there’s life after teaching. It’s by teachers, for teachers (those who stayed and those who left) who provide invaluable, candid advice and real-life examples. Readers will gain greater clarity about what they need to do now and confidence to take the next steps. Vivienne believes that everyone has a tired teacher in their life! Vivienne also coaches teachers who find it incredibly useful to speak to someone from the profession who can offer a sympathetic ear and act as a springboard for the important decisions about how to recreate a balanced, fulfilling life they love.

Vivienne's first book was "The Single Mum's Survival Guide - How to pick up the pieces and build a happy new life".

"Once upon a time I was perfectly happy - complacent, even. But then my world came crashing down and I was suddenly a single mum of two small children, losing sleep over how to pay the bills. My health suffered and my weight yoyo-ed as I tried to get my life in order. Luckily I'd done a lot of personal development through books and CDs and with the help of skilled practitioners. The things I learned allowed me to retain my sanity, self-esteem and sense of humour and to help my children get through the experience. I discovered how to release the traumatic experiences and emotions that were holding me back, get my weight under control and find more fun, fulfilment and balance in my life. Because I know from personal experience how challenging life can be this allows me to empathise with my clients' and readers' problems and worries and I love to help them create the life they deserve". Her experience as a single mum prompted Vivienne to write a book about the subject. It has been the fulfilment of a long term ambition to turn what was at the time a negative and distressing experience into an opportunity to help others get through similar challenges.

Now happily settled, she lives with her partner, two dogs and three rescue chickens in beautiful West Sussex. When she is not working, she tries to keep up with her grandchildren, who are now nearly two years old.