During the lockdown of 2020, I became involved with a project to engage freelance musicians, actors, dancers, technicians, creators, directors and any other creatives who might be searching for direction, meaning and purpose in the midst of the uncertainty.
How were others coping? What we could learn from them?
Guildhall Coaching Associates created a supportive thinking space for artists through the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on models from Coaching and Mentoring, we helped attendees to explore a range of ways in which to rethink, reframe and re-experience this current phase of our lives in search of new insights about our personal strengths, our resourcefulness and the potential opportunities that this moment can offer.
The sessions (over Zoom) blended input from one of the Executive Coaches with guided group discussions.
Here are a few of the reports from the sessions which covered – amongst many other things – character strengths, Belbin role models and personality preferences to help creative artists to find a new lens through which to observe their world.
In the autumn of the year, when it seemed that lockdown was about to be eased, Lockdown Lounge was renamed The Launch Pad, reflecting the hope that we would be using our time as a springboard to prepare ourselves for the new normal.
That hope turned out to be temporarily put on hold, but The Launch Pad continued, continuing to light candles where others fear darkness.
Lockdown Lounge is run by the Guildhall Coaching Faculty. To book a place at a Lockdown Lounge meet up on Zoom, send an email to: coachingandmentoring@gsmd.ac.uk headed ‘Lockdown Lounge’.
Please note that numbers will be limited.