Michelle Grenada-Bryan is an Employment Coach at Belina GRoW and is making a significant difference in the lives of people with neurodivergent conditions through her work on the Neurodiverse Strategy Programme with 3SC. With a focus on empowering her clients to overcome workplace challenges, Michelle’s efforts are tailored to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent people, providing them with the tools and support necessary to thrive in their professional environments.
Michelle explains “Neurodivergent people, including those with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other conditions, often face unique challenges in the workplace. These challenges can range from difficulties with communication and social interactions to issues with organisation and time management. Sometimes they need a bit more support to help them overcome these challenges and my role as an employment coach plays a crucial role in helping them navigate their work environments, develop effective strategies, and enhance their overall job performance and personal and professional wellbeing.”
Michelle’s work involves personalised coaching sessions where she helps clients set and achieve specific workplace goals. Each client is assessed based on their individual needs, and coaching plans are created to address their unique challenges. Michelle’s coaching is not about providing direct advice but creating a reflective space for clients to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours, ultimately leading to self-generated solutions or the ‘Aha’ moment as Michelle describes it.
Michelle’s clients come to her through referrals from 3SC, often funded by the government’s Access to Work scheme. The number of sessions varies depending on the client’s needs, with some requiring as few as four sessions and others needing up to ten.
Michelle brings a wealth of experience and specialised skills to her role. She has a background in coaching from her previous role as a civil servant and has undergone extensive training in coaching techniques. Additionally, her roles as a Learning Support Assistant and School Meals Supervisor at a school where she works with neurodivergent children has provided her with valuable insights into engaging and supporting individuals with diverse needs.
Her ability to build rapport quickly is a testament to her experience and genuine interest in her clients’ well-being. This connection is vital in helping clients feel understood and supported, enabling them to open up about their challenges and work towards effective solutions.
Talking about the positive impact Michelle’s coaching has had on her clients Michelle explains “I’ve had great feedback from clients who report significant improvements in their ability to manage workplace challenges and sustain these improvements over time. The success stories are documented through self-evaluation forms and case studies and provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the coaching programme. Clients complete a self evaluation at the beginning and then at either 3 weeks or 6 weeks after and again at the end of the programme, to review how far people have progressed and what has been achieved.
“Being a coach is different from being a therapist and there is a fine balance to be made in terms of the support we as coaches offer when supporting clients. Coaches are there to look to the future and discuss what you can do to improve a situation whereas therapists often look back to see what could have been done better or differently. As a coach, I’m there to help people move forward and achieve their goals. It’s about engaging with people and building trust and a rapport.
“Working on this programme is extremely rewarding and I’m grateful to have this opportunity to support neurodivergent people and help them to overcome challenges to achieve their full potential in the workplace.”