Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 3 | Page 17

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019, Vol. 3 Overall, I think the conference was an outstanding success. We created a great environment for learning, we provided some great research content, and we helped to establish connections between researchers and coaching practitioners. We attracted lots of new people this year and we increased our delegate numbers from 2018. We are still reviewing the feedback, but so far, it’s been overwhelmingly positive from both speakers and delegates. “Very useful and thought-provoking. The mix of hands-on/interactive sessions and more theory- based talks. What I’ve learned can be directly implemented into my coach development work in a governing body.” “Brilliantly organised and welcoming event.” “What a day! Inspired and absolutely exhausted after an incredible day at the UK Coaching conference at Derby County FC.” Our chosen themes for the day were: innovative coaching practice; contemporary learning solutions; and coach-experience and well-being. The latter because it was identified in our research as a development need, and because we often forget about the coach and the impact of coaching on their own health and well-being. Our Coaching in the UK study revealed that people who are actively coaching are more likely to report excellent or good mental health than those who are not actively coaching, and those who have never coached. Furthermore, volunteer coaches are more likely to rate their mental health as excellent or good, compared to paid coaches. As I write this, we are already starting to plan our research conference for 2020. So, if you were at the conference and would like to provide any further feedback, please email us at: [email protected] Or, if you would like to get involved in next year’s conference, please get in touch. But whilst coaching does have positive benefits, we also know that coaching can sometimes be challenging, difficult and stressful. So, it’s important that we, as employers, deployers and developers of coaches, support them and look out for those signs and symptoms of mental health. So with this in mind, we added a variety of ‘time for you’ sessions, where delegates could relax, unwind, play, socialise and take time out for themselves. These were well received and I hope they become a staple of all UK Coaching events. My highlight of the day was the open and honest debate of the Well-being Panel and particularly the discussion about the simple things that people can do to improve their own mental health and well- being, such as taking notice, connecting with others, continuous learning, being active and giving back. 17