ABOUT - Nikie Forster and Curious Lighthouse
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You might not think early roles in radio, interior design and DIY sound like the most convincing career choices for someone who has since spent almost three decades as a Learning and Development professional! But all three of these roles gave me some great opportunities to learn about people, hone my training, and facilitation skills, and craft my own path in a career I love.
Having gained many professional qualifications and experience in public and private sector L&D roles, I founded Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy Ltd in early 2016, where I specialises in increasing competence and confidence in Line Managers and Trainers to enhance their performance, whether they are at the very start of their journey or experienced professionals. I love that my role allows me to work with all types of businesses from small growing companies to larger established corporates, and from local charities to the NHS Trusts. I'm passionate about using creative learning methods which, as well as increasing engagement in the sessions, ensures better retention of information and quicker transfer of skills back into the workplace. (And yes, I do use LEGO® in many of the my sessions!!) Curious Lighthouse is based in Hampshire and mainly serves the south coast. (For the full CV 'stuff' head on over to my LinkedIn page.) |
Nikie Forster - Presenting the on Victory FM c1994
Nikie Forster - Hosting a networking event
Nikie Forster - Hosting a training sessions at a local business college
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VALUES
Values aren't just a set of words to stick on a website or wall and forget about. They should be lived. I believe these five values form the foundation of Curious Lighthouse and aim to uphold them in all interactions.
ABOUT - Creative Learning Techniques
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I've always believed that learning should be fun. Don't be fooled into thinking this is just 'play'. There is scientific proof that fun aids retention of information... but it's also a great way to engage learners too! Much of the training and facilitation often uses creative learning techniques. Here are just some of thing I use to help start meaningful discussions and aid learning:
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Image of one of my train-the-trainer workshops. Image by Penny Plimmer.
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Just a small example of some of the creative learning techniques used in Curious Lighthouse workshops.
(Engaging learning aids better retention of information and more tangible changes back in the workplace.)
(Engaging learning aids better retention of information and more tangible changes back in the workplace.)
Support for Those Who Serve
I am very proud of my family's military history, including my father who served in the Royal Navy for 30 years. As such, the ability to support those who are, or have served in the armed forces is my small way of saying thank you.
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Here is my pledge:
Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy Ltd recognise the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our businesses and to our country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by supporting skills and knowledge in the area of Line Management by offering initial free advice in this area and discounts to members of the Armed Forces community on any of our Management Development Programmes. When making contact please make refence to the Covenant. |
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Where does the name
Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy come from?
No matter where you are in the UK, chances are you're no more than 70 miles from the nearest coast line! On land, a lighthouse shows us what's beyond our instinctive eye line, a glimpse of the horizon. At sea, it shows us safe passage, a way home. Whichever way you look at it, a lighthouse provides a clearer picture for us to base our choices on.
A standard lighthouse has a fixed light source, at the top, rotating at regular intervals and are usually in use during time of limited visibility. What if that light could shine anywhere at any time? Where would you shine that light?
Testimonals
Testimonial for Management Development Training
"It has been an absolute pleasure working with Nikie on the Lightbulb management development programme. Each session was hugely informative and great fun. In 4 short weeks I now have the tools to go forward and be a better Manager and guide the rest of my team to success. Nikie’s approach to training is so refreshing and like nothing I’ve done before. There was never a dull moment, and I was fully engaged the entire time. My whole working style has changed for the better already and I feel a new sense of passion for my role. To anyone looking to build on your management skills then look no further! Thank you Nikie!" Lisa Atkins-Gough - Operations Manager
Testimonial for Trainer's Development Workshops
“I first came across Nikie through her quirky and different posts which I’m always compelled to look at further and find myself drawn to. We talked and I described the kind of creative experiments we’re keen to encourage in my team and asked her to share all her secrets! She created a great day packed full of ideas, taught my team how dopamine makes the difference in learning and we left with a shopping list and inspired and reassured that what we were already doing was value add coupled with some ideas to make them even better. From before the day to after she demonstrated how creativity engages and lands learning.” Natalie Rogers - Head of Talent, Learning & Development at Greencore
Testimonial for Online Course Creation
“Nikie’s help, support and organisational skills made it so easy for me to get my first course up and running. I loved her tutorials and feedback and I have gone on to launch a further 3 courses with her help. Nikie’s clear instruction makes it easy to create and launch a course. Thanks Nikie, I couldn’t have done it without you!” Barbara Cox - Award Winning Nutritionist - Global Wellness Council Representative
