Sally Nash -Learning & Research

Helping you make a bigger difference in your world

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Revd Dr Sally Nash BA, PGCE (QTS), MA, DMTh, PhD, SFHEA
Dr Sally Nash - Coaching and Mentoring

My passion is seeing people fulfil their potential, enhancing their wellbeing and resourcefulness. I believe in helping people make a bigger difference in their world as they become more authentically who they are.

I enjoy working 1-1 with people whether in mentoring, coaching, spiritual accompanying, developing writing skills or academic support and supervision (up to PhD level). With organizations my desire is to see them become places where their staff flourish more fully as they become more aware as to what barriers may be that prevent this.

I am an experienced and creative educator, trainer, researcher, mentor, coach, author, editor and practical theologian and draw on all these experiences and skills in my freelance work. I have worked in higher education, with third sector and faith organisations and with the NHS.

I am customer focused working hard to provide a bespoke product for the particular context. I am skilled at raising awareness of issues and helping people see how to apply their new knowledge or skills into their situation. 

I have particular expertise in practical theology, shame, Christian youth work and youth ministry, reflective practice and theological reflection, supporting learning in the workplace, collaborative ministry, spirituality, spiritual care and chaplaincy with children and young people, and qualitative research. 

I have qualifications in teaching in schools and higher education and am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy as well as having a Masters degree in education. I am a practical theologian with two doctorates in practical theology, one youth work focused, the other on shame in the church. I am an Anglican self-supporting priest licensed to an outer estate church in Birmingham. I am a qualified Myers Briggs practitioner.

Outside of work I am passionate about sport particularly supporting Spurs, play golf, am a companion of the Northumbria Community, trustee of two charities, enjoy good coffee, dark chocolate and sourdough bread.

What do I offer?

Latest Training Course

View courses and sign up for training  on the Courses & Training page

Bespoke training

(for individuals, small or large groups) which draws on my research, professional and academic writing in a range of topics including:

  • Shame and honour in an institutional context
  • Six-fold typology of shame and its application for individuals or in the workplace
  • Reflective practice tools for effectiveness and self-awareness
  • Regenerative practice – exploring ways to enhance wellbeing at work for individuals or organizations
  • Issues around vulnerability
  • Spiritual practices for personal development and reflection
  • Becoming unstuck – creative spiritual and reflective practices to help you move on
  • Spiritual care with children and young people – creative ideas and good practice principles
  • Myers Briggs MBTI introductory sessions and 1-1 discussions

Consultancy

I consult in these main areas: shame in the workplace, enhancing wellbeing in the workplace through regenerative practice, youth ministry and ministry more generally, higher education and learning, work with children and young people, and chaplaincy with children and young people. Happy to discuss anything from an initial half-day to a regular contract such as my role with the Centre for Paediatric Spiritual Care.


Mentoring

I support people who want to develop their self-awareness, build a more sustainable work life balance, develop their writing, explore a broader range of spiritual practices, develop as a reflective practitioner, want non-managerial supervision and support. 

Small scale qualitative

or mixed methods research projects

I help people who want to discover more about a particular area by working with them to design and deliver a research project and writing a report from the research and this can include training others to be involved in research. 

Quiet days, retreats,

spiritual accompaniment

I facilitate individuals and small groups and offer both Christian and spiritual rather than religious options.   

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Qualifications & Publications

Qualifications

  • University of Birmingham, 2016.
  • Thesis: Landscapes of shame in the church:  a typology to inform praxis
  • MA in Education (distinction), Oxford Brookes University, 2010. 
    Dissertation:  Regenerative Practice, including both HE teaching qualification and research supervision module
  • Doctorate in Ministry and Theology, University of Sheffield, 2003. Thesis title:  Supporting Urban Youth Workers
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (JNC equivalent), Sussex University, 1979
  • BA Social Administration (2.1), Sussex University, 1978

Other:

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2020
  • Church of England ministerial training completed 2012, ordained priest 2013
  • Qualified Myers Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner

 

Publications

Books, chapters and booklets:

  • Shame and the church: exploring and transforming practice.  London:  SCM, 2020.
  • Rethinking children’s work in churches, edited with Carolyn Edwards and Sian Hancock. London: Jessica Kingsley 2019.
  • Paediatric Chaplaincy Principles, Practices and Skills, edited with P Nash and M Bartel. London:  Jessica Kingsley, 2018.
  • The Vulnerable Youth Worker. Cambridge:  Grove Youth Series, 2018.
  • That’s great! You can tell us how you are feeling. Chapter in Case Studies in Spiritual Care: Healthcare Chaplaincy Assessments, Interventions and Outcomes with Liz Bryson and Paul Nash, 2018
  • Spiritual Care for Sick Children and Young People (with Paul Nash and Kathryn Darby) Jessica Kingsley, 2015.
  • Christian Youth Work in Theory and Practice (edited with Jo Whitehead) SCM 2014.
  • Facilitation Skills for Ministry (with Jo Whitehead and Simon Sutcliffe) SPCK, 2013.
  • Youth Ministry: A Multifaceted Approach.    SPCK, 2011.
  • Sacralized Youth Work. Grove Youth Series, 2011. 
  • The Faith of Generation Y (with Sylvia Collins-Mayo and Bob Mayo). Church House Publishing, 2010.
  • Well-being and Spirituality (with Nigel Pimlott) Grove Youth Series, 2010.
  • Tools for Reflective Ministry (with Paul Nash). SPCK 2009.
  • Youth Work, Informal Education, and Spirituality. Chapter in International Handbook of Education for Spirituality, Care and Wellbeing. Dordrecht: Springer, 2009.
  • Skills for Collaborative Ministry (with Jo Pimlott and Paul Nash). SPCK, 2008.
  • A Theology for Urban Youth Work. YTC Press, 2008.
  • Sustaining Your Spirituality. Grove Youth Series, 2006.
  • Supervising Youth Workers (with Malcolm Herbert). Grove Pastoral Series, 2006.

 

Academic journal articles:

  • Chaplaincy as a reframing and expansion of youth ministry – initiating and developing an occupational standards ecumenical project in the UK for chaplaincy with children, young people and young adults (with Paul Nash and Nigel Roberts. Journal of Youth and Theology, 2020.
  • Adapting the Advocate Health Care Taxonomy of Chaplaincy for a Pediatric Hospital Context: A Pilot Study (with P Nash, E Roberts, K Darby and A Parwaz) . Journal of health care chaplaincy, 2019.
  • Auditing a Paediatric Chaplaincy Provision: Reflections On the Use of a Taxonomy. with P Nash, E Roberts, K Darby and A Parwaz) Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 2018.
  • On Researching Shame in the Church. Practical Theology, 2017.
  • Shame in Pastoral Practice: Reflections in the light of field research, Bonhoeffer and Godly Play. Practical Theology, 2016.
  • Message in a bottle: a comparative study of spiritual needs of children and young people in and out of hospital.International Journal of Children’s Spirituality,
  • Reflections on Using Metaphors in Exploring Spiritual and Religious Needs with Young People with Cancer and their Families (with Paul Nash) Journal for the Study of Spirituality,
  • Parents’ Spiritual and Religious Needs in Young Oncology (with Kathryn Darby and Paul Nash) Cancer Nursing Practice,  
  • Spiritual and Religious Needs of Young People with Cancer (with Kathryn Darby and Paul Nash) Cancer Nursing Practice,
  • Edited (with Nick Shepherd) special edition of Journal of Adult Theological Education with a children’s and youth ministry focus, 2014.
  • Solid Steps on Shifting Sand:  Theological Education for Work with Children, Young People and Young Adults (with Nick Shepherd)  Journal of Adult Theological Education, 2014.
  • The Spiritual Care of Sick Children: Reflections from a Participation Project (with Paul Nash and Kathryn Darby).  International Journal of Children’s Spirituality,
  • Lessons on love and family from Mill Grove for an ordinand and theological educator. Journal of Adult Theological Education, 2012.  
  • Regenerative Practice. Reflective Practice, June 2011.
  • Sacralized Youth Work. Journal of Youth and Theology, November 2009.
  • Raising Christian Consciousness: Creating Place (with Bob Mayo and Sylvie Collins Mayo) Journal of Youth and Theology,  
  • Understanding Youth Ministry: Psychological Type Preferences of Youth Ministers (with Leslie Francis, Paul Nash and Charlotte Craig) Journal of Youth Ministry Vol 5(2) 2007.  
  • The Ignatian Examen as a Tool for Developing Type (with Paul Nash) Type Face), 2005.
  • A Martyr to the Cause: Learning from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Journal of Youth and Theology, 2004.

 

Book reviews:

  • I have reviewed books for a range of peer reviewed journals including International Journal of Practical Theology, Modern Believing, Christian Education, Journal of Youth and Theology as well as been a peer reviewer for a range of articles in practical theology, chaplaincy, spiritual care and youth ministry, Publons has a list of the most recent.
Read more . . .

Testimonials

Sally led a webinar for Chaplains in various institutions – prison, university, hospital, fire service, police, rural – across Coventry and Warwickshire in which she opened up some theology around shame, involving study of the scriptures. She then went on to explore the pastoral and liturgical implications of this. Sally used examples from her own experience to highlight how damaging shame can be and she invited a reengagement with the creation narratives, in particular, to see how imago dei could be a theological starting point for a more pastoral approach to shame and healing. Sally was a clear speaker who, despite the limitations of zoom, was able to engage and stimulate her audience and she gave much food for reflection for our chaplains.
Ven Sue FieldArchdeacon Pastor - Diocese of Coventry
Sally has been foundational to the work and mission of CYM and formational to many of the youth workers in the UK today. As the editor of the Grove youth series, she has pushed the wider youth ministry conversation forward. British youth work is indebted to Sally’s thoughtful writing, attentive training, and professional practice.
Tim GoughPioneer Director Youth for Christ Wales
I have known Sally now for over 20 years and count her amongst the very best. She combines high-level professional insight and practice, academic rigour, and great integrity. She has very wide-ranging experience across a whole variety of disciplines and subject matters, and always manages to pitch her contributions in ways others find accessible, inspiring and developmental. I could go on about her strengths and gifts, but I'd prefer to say that I haven't heard anyone ever say anything negative about anything she does - other than she supports Spurs!
Dr Nigel PimlottRegional Development and Training Officer - the Methodist Church
I have worked closely with Sally Nash for many years and have found the depth of her knowledge and understanding in the fields of youth and children’s ministry to be inspirational. She is an innovative thinker, a profound theologian and a compassionate leader. She is able to communicate complex and challenging issues in ways relevant to her audience, encouraging them in their own calling. I have worked with her in developing Chaplaincy with children and young people and believe that her work in this field has helped in ensuring a significant place for chaplaincy in wider youth ministry. She has a missional heart and a Christlike character. I can commend her to you without reservation and with great enthusiasm. 
Nigel RobertsEducation Advisor - Youth for Christ
I have known the work of Dr Sally Nash, both personally and through the testimony of others. My own encounters were through the world of Christian youthwork and ministry. Dr Nash in her work challenges us to reflect in various ways on practice and how this works out in relation to Christian faith and practice both as an individual and as community but also outside also as the skills are transferable. Over two years ago I was grateful to attend a Management and Supervision course that has been really helpful in my previous role as a youth adviser for a Diocese, and now as an ordinand (Training to be a clergyperson) in how I and my current supervisor have a positive working relationship and using the supervision process positively. This course was one that has helped processes and practices that are often not given the attention needed in working relationships, particularly faith communities. Dr Nash skilfully got us to reflect on our role whether as Supervisor or Supervisee. Her creativity was also extremely helpful for visual and non-visual learners. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Nash in training and facilitation, moving participants forward in their own development and those around them benefitting also.
Dean Pusey Former Diocesan Youth Adviser St Albans now Ordinand at St Mellitus
Sally and I collaborated together to run a session on mentoring and vulnerability. Her research on the topic as well as her own modelling of appropriate vulnerability helped to make it a rich and insightful session. Sally is a good listener and communicator and her organised approach made her a pleasure to work with.
Revd Emma SykesVicar - St Barnabas Erdington
Sally Nash walks her talk..... over many years I have seen her engage with complex concerns, be honest about her struggles, and seek to find an authentic way to traverse life. Sally's use of Marker Posts from the Pilgrim way onto Holy Island is powerful, responding to the rhythms of the natural world and our own needs. I warmly commend Sally's training to you.
Rev Rachel HudsonVicar of Scremerston, Spittal & Tweedmouth
Sally has decades of experience training youth and children’s workers at all levels from volunteers to post graduate students. She is always incredibly well informed, drawing on the latest research and making it engaging and relevant to the learners. She has also written and edited many of the recent core texts in this area. She champions practical theology for practice, enabling people to express their faith in their values and actions. She helps people think more sharply and love more deeply in their work.
Dr Sam RichardsHead of Children’s and Youth Work, United Reformed Church
Sally Nash is a priest, pastor, educator, theologian, thinker, reflector, and practitioner. Sally is an astute practitioner who gives careful and wise advice. I am going to ask her to work with me because I know that I will get honest and considered opinions that will challenge and help me to think outside of the box. Sally is that rare gift that embodies theory and practice. Please give working with her consideration - you will not regret it
Revd Dr Kevin EllisPriest in Charge - Church in Wales
I have read many of Sally’s books and attended some of her training. Her style of writing and in-person presentation is accessible, reflective, well-informed and draws on her own experience. I recommend Sally highly as a writer, trainer and facilitator.
Professor Peter M GubiProfessor of Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment - University of Chester
Sally was helpful, professional, listened well to what we were looking for and delivered a sensitive, stimulating, creative and intellectually challenging day for our curates.
The Revd Canon Dr Richard CookePrincipal, Diocesan Training Partnership
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What do I offer?