
WILDING MINDS
HOPE MAYHEW
Integrative Coach | Facilitator | Celebrant
MSc MAPPC | EMCC Accredited Coach at Practitioner Level
ABOUT
Hi, I'm Hope!
I'm a big fan of exploring most things life, health, and wellbeing - and as a coach and practitioner, my focus is on finding meaningful, creative ways to understand, support, and embrace our authentic (and often puzzling!) experience of being human.
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For me, much of that complex exploration has been shaped by my experiences of living with fluctuating health over the past 10 plus years, and my ever-evolving relationship to it. Turns out, when the rules of what your body can and can't do keep shifting, you start to get curious and creative about the ‘rules’, maps’ or ‘belief systems’ you live by.
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Of course, there are many things in life that may ask us to redraw our life maps. Whether it's change, loss, transition or even moments of joy - life offers many invitations (some more compulsory than others!) to reimagine how we live and what we have to offer.
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My approach as a coach and practitioner aims to offer an exploration of our maps - because although old maps might have a nice aesthetic (and of course can lead to the odd pile of treasure) they are not always the most trustworthy guides. In gently and creatively exploring these landscapes together, we can begin to play with perspectives, uncover new destinations, and find different ways of moving through the world.
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For me, one of the most honest guides in this process has been the natural world - showing me how to lean into natural rhythms, adapt with the seasons, and grow in all sorts of ways that are more connected, nourishing, and sustainable. This is why much of my work is 'nature-inspired' - and intentionally weaves in opportunities to experience the teachings, hospitality, and precious support from our natural neighbourhood.​
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My belief is these explorations can help us navigate life with more freedom, confidence, and care - both for ourselves, and hopefully the world around us.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF WELLBEING
As I currently see things, wellbeing isn’t something we must 'fix' or 'chase' - it’s something inherent within us, that we can (and often need to!) nurture and tend to, with care and attention.
I also believe our wellbeing is not just individual - it’s relational, systemic, environmental...
Like a root system, our wellbeing is both shaped by, and shapes, the lives of others and our environment. A healthy root system supports, sustains, and responds to the wider web we’re part of.
Looking at wellbeing through this lens, my hope is that this work can help grow a 'well-rooted' kind of wellbeing in our lives, communities, and organisations. Something that is organic, deeply nurturing, and capable of rippling outwards - offering stability and care for ourselves, as well as the ecosystems we exist within.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND & TRAINING
Overview
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MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology
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Accredited with EMCC Global at Practitioner Level
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Professional experience supporting individuals with various long-term health conditions
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Currently working as a coach and freelance practitioner in Bristol & Bath, as well as online
More of the story
As a practitioner, I have been facilitating workshops, and mentoring individuals and groups since 2018. I began practising as a coach in 2020, whilst receiving training as part of my Msc studies in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology at the University of East London. I have since gained my individual coaching accreditation (EIA) with EMCC Global at Practitioner Level, and am currently working towards my Senior Practitioner accreditation.
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Over the past few years, I have also worked in a various roles branching between charity and health care sectors - supporting a variety of individuals with different health conditions - such as vascular dementia, visual impairment, and more recently Long COVID. Over 2022-23 I worked to deliver a year long pilot programme for The Peer Partnership, offering group peer support for individuals living with Long COVID in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire alongside a wonderful team of peer volunteers.
Enter Spring 2023, and I began working as a freelance practitioner - offering coaching, facilitation and group workshops, reflective practice, and training for organisations and individuals. This is where I began working, and continue to work, with a local charity to help deliver their green social prescribing programme, running accessible nature-based mental health and wellbeing sessions in Bristol and Bath. This work has been hugely profound for me, as it has for many of those individuals coming to the group. Through being in the park together each week, we have all learned (or been reminded) just how important experiences of connection with one another and our ecological neighbours (aka 'nature' - the trees, fresh air, birds, bees...) are for our human health, and for the health of the planet.
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Much of my learning has come from those I have worked with, however my studies in Psychology, Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology all continue to inform my approach as a coach and practitioner.
Previous research interests
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Nature connection and experiences of post-traumatic growth -
published in European Journal of Ecopsychology -
Healthy inter-personal relationships as a source of meaning
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Psychological wellbeing of individuals with chronic illnesses (particularly, CFS/ME, Long COVID and other post-viral conditions).
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Using humour, creativity and play to support wellbeing