Emily Bradbury, who has been part of the national Greenhouse team since 2020, will be moving on this summer.
An expert practitioner in facilitation, coaching and training, Emily’s consultancy has been an essential part of developing the Greenhouse ethos for its Gatherings. Working closely with Suzie Wall, Greenhouse facilitators have seen them both on screen several times a year, offering guidance and support before and after Greenhouse Gatherings.
Emily said: “Over these past five years it has been a joy and privilege to work with the national team and so many wonderful and inspiring facilitators, witnessing what God has done in and through you all.
“I have loved partnering with Suzie in designing Gatherings and hosting our Facilitators’ pre- and post-calls as you prepared for and reflected on your Gatherings. Suzie and I often came off those calls marvelling at the skill, courage, humility and wisdom you displayed as you lovingly tended to your Greenhouses, trusting God in what unfolded.
“For quite a while, I’ve been reflecting on all sorts of things and felt the time was coming for me to give more attention to my local Poverty Truth Commission work and find the space to explore what other opportunities for brave facilitation - opening up spaces where transformation can happen with teams and networks - that God may draw me to.
“As my time with Greenhouse comes to an end, I will really miss working with you all, but want to thank you for the richness you’ve brought to my work and to wish you well as you continue trusting God in all you do with Greenhouse and beyond.”
Greenhouse Project Team leader, Cathy Myers said: “Emily has taught me such a lot about wise, gentle facilitation and her fingerprints really are all over the way Greenhouses are facilitated and led; with curiosity, joy, and a deep belief that the wisdom is already in the room. Emily’s company is called “Courage to Thrive” and I feel that she calls out courage in all of us, both the national team and Greenhouse facilitators. The most commonly used sign-off on all the emails I’ve received from her is “Go gently” and so we wish her exactly that as she goes on to bless everything that God is calling her to. She goes, too, with our love and abundant gratitude for all that she’s brought to Greenhouse.”
Although there are no pre or post-Gathering calls now planned over the summer, Suzie Wall is just a Zoom or email message away for any facilitators with queries about Gatherings or other Greenhouse business.
She said: “I’ve absolutely loved working with Emily. She’s been such a wise and professional colleague, but most of all she’s been a lovely friend. I’m so sad she’s leaving Greenhouse, but I know that whatever she does next, it will be brilliant. All the Greenhouse team wish her lots of love as she moves on to pastures new.”
Any facilitators wishing to contact Emily up to the end of May can do so at emily@couragetothrive.org.uk.