It’s one thing to be the Founder of a self-development programme based on experiential learning, boosting confidence, and empowering children to notice and express their inner emotions, whatever they might be feeling. It’s another thing to stand up there and practice what you preach. On 20th March, I got my chance.

I was invited to give a talk at a small conference in Oxfordshire organised by the University of Oxford’s Department of Education. The central topic was Values-based Education — an educational approach based on embedding values into a school culture/curriculum. I was going to speak more broadly about promoting children’s wellbeing and INSIDE OUT. The title of my talk — ‘Happy children learn better.’

I arrived that morning at Milton Hill House, the venue, with my presentation on a small memory stick and big-time butterflies in my tummy. This was my first speaking engagement at a conference and the first time I had put together a presentation like this with a range of visuals, quotes, a film — the works. Public speaking has never been my thing. I was using someone else’s computer, and tech stuff, definitely not my thing either. The attendees were all teachers and they quickly fell into comfortable banter about their schools before the programme began. Everyone was warm and friendly, but as the only non-teacher there, I was a little intimidated.

I was the last speaker in the afternoon after two impressive Headteachers and one solar eclipse in the morning. Tough acts to follow. Before I got up there, a very nice teacher suggested that I tell everyone that this was my first talk like this. So I did. I also shared that I was nervous, that I wasn’t a teacher or a wellbeing expert. My racing heart began to slow down a bit. I went on to talk more about my personal story, the ideas behind our charity, INSIDE OUT, and the programme itself. A wonderful bit of synergy was being able to wish everyone a happy International Day of Happiness Day. Our 5 Keys to Happiness, Magical Days Out, and Toolbox for Schools came to life through the photos and our short film at the end helped bring it all together. One of the teachers helped me navigate the computer – phew.

It sparked some interesting discussion and some teachers are keen to chat further about INSIDE OUT for their schools. One teacher came up to me afterwards and said ‘You made my day’ while another said ‘Your passion came through.’ That’s enough for me.

My first conference. Done. Can’t believe I’m saying this — when’s the second?