We have long believed that the type of coaching service provided at the Fountain Centre offers an important form of psychological support for our patients. However, we also recognise that coaching does not have the same level of standards that can be found in counselling. The PhD we developed that was recently completed at Portsmouth University, sought to explore and understand the coaching service we offer, and develop a set of standards that coaches working in this way with cancer patients would have to adhere to. Our first (of two) academic papers from the PhD will be published in February 2025. We are also working with the UK and International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA) to formalise these. More to follow!!
We are grateful that this PhD was funded by Portsmouth University, Health Education England and the Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance. We were also fortunate to have Assistant Professor Yi-Ling Yai (now at Southampton University) supervise the PhD, that was undertaken by Dr Andrew Marren (now at Winchester University).
For more information, please email Natalie Silverdale: