About us
Thrive was formed in 2019 by Simon Nichols, with the intention of training and educating as many people as possible in mental health and wellbeing, through accredited courses and online workshops and webinars.
Why choose us...
Our team members are often called upon to deliver training a courses and keynote speeches about mental health and neurodiversity.
Our simple ethos which every trainer and associate trainer carries with them is “it’s time to thrive, not just survive”. We want every member of society to have access to training and support that helps us understand and manage mental health and neurodivergence for a better, brighter future.
Through our renowned training programs, we want you to develop, flourish and thrive; to build up your mental strength to help yourself; and equally importantly to help others as well.
Our CSR (Corporate and Social Responsibility) programme is aimed at allowing charities and not for profit organisations to take advantage of sponsored training course places and workshops to enable as many of our frontline care staff to get vital training.
Thrive is a Disability Confident Employer
Here at Thrive we’re proud to now be a part of the Disability Confident campaign. We are a committed disability confident employer. Find out more about what this means here
Organisations we affiliate with...
The Thrive Family
SIMON NICHOLS
CHEZZY KENNEDY
Chezzy has a BA (Hons) in Special Educational Needs and over 10 years of experience working with autistic individuals at their homes, specialist and mainstream schools, and business locations. She uses a variety of interventions to help get the best results based on each individual’s needs. Everything she does is people centred.
Chezzy has shared her ideas on the TEDx stage, and delivered face-to-face and online training. As a parent to three autistic teenagers and having an autistic and dyslexic diagnosis herself, she is well placed to share her knowledge based on personal experience.
Chezzy is a massive advocate for positive wellbeing and has completed various trainings in the field of wellbeing including Meditation, Mindfulness, Relax Kids, and Story Massage. She has been featured regularly on BBC Three Counties Radio giving expert advice on how to manage your personal wellbeing.
JONI-RAE CARRACK
Joni-Rae Carrack is a qualified MHFA Instructor who is passionate about finding creative ways to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing.
Joni-Rae has lived with Generalised Anxiety Disorder since the age of 11, so is well versed in the ups and downs of chronic mental ill health. Her approach is to be honest and non-judgemental.
With a BA in Modern Drama Studies and an MA in Advance Theatre Practice, Joni-Rae specialises in puppetry theatre to express how it feels to experience mental ill health. This approach works on both adults and children, and she has used her unique method to explain parental depression to primary school children in her show ‘Not Today, Celeste!’.
With an engaging and inclusive style, Joni-Rae delivers Lived Experience talks, the Adult 2 Day MHFA Course, the Aware 1/2 Day Course, and the Refresher Course.
Joni-Rae lives in Brighton with her husband and dog. She loves walking in the woods, baking and board games.
SUE GARNER
Sue Garner is an award-winning facilitator with over 20 years’ experience, specialising in mentoring, coaching and training individuals and leaders. Whether it’s developing your managers, winning more business through persuasive presentations or improving personal effectiveness and wellbeing, Sue helps teams deliver exceptional results.
Drawing on a learning and development background in both private and public sector, Sue’s experience includes facilitating stress management and resilience workshops for individuals, leaders, civil servants and police sergeants/inspectors. Sue uses an extensive tookit, including a dash of humour, to enable individuals to take their skills, attitudes and behaviours to an advanced level, instilling confidence and self-awareness.
As a lifelong learner, Sue also mentors and trains other trainers, and runs a monthly online group ‘The Training Club’ which trains, upskills and supports trainers/facilitators to develop, flourish and be amazing in their specialist field!
Sue is also passionate about empowering women and students, regularly speaking and facilitating at events such as Women Enablement Days and careers events, empowering them to be heard, be confident and be resilient in life and work.