A reformed drug addict has embarked on a journey that involves changing her career to become a personal development coach.
Kerry Davey, who has worked at Reading Buses for 13 years in the role of engineering administrator, is sharing a blog on her website.
As part of her recovery Kerry, 45, moved to the Thames Valley with her daughter when she was in her early 20s.
Although her background was in social care, she says she wanted to move into a more corporate and settled environment as a result of which she took a role at Reading Buses.
“To give back to the community,” writes Kerry. “I trained and volunteered my services as a counsellor at No5 Youth Counselling Services, a charity based in Reading, and this is where I first heard about coaching and an idea was born to start my own business. “Then just over six years’ ago I got very ill and after a misdiagnosis ended up in hospital in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and nearly lost my life. I now live attached to an insulin pump 24/7 to manage my health and stay alive.
“This was a major life-changing moment that motivated me to do something with my life and stop hiding behind excuses. So I re-trained and set up my personal development coaching business to run alongside my role with full support from Reading Buses.
“I help other people harness their own strengths and develop the confidence to do the things they’ve always wanted to. Inspiring them through my own journey that anything is possible and although we may feel fear not to let that stand in your way.”
She says her new direction and drive led her to be invited to speak at – and host – an experiential session at Entrepreneurial Leaders Live 2018 conference in the summer.
Kerry describes it as a ‘day of inspiration and transformation’ and was a ‘massive and emotional achievement’ for her, overcoming her own fears and anxiety to share her story and deliver a transformation session showing delegates how to turn their struggles into strengths.
She added that her entire ethos is based on simplicity, strategy and soul.
It was as a result of a photographer seeing her talk on Youtube that Kerry was approached to collaborate with her. The photographer was creating a personal branding catalogue and wanted it to tell a story of entrepreneurial journeys with a difference.
“She wanted to work with me and in return I received a set of fab professional photos to use on my website/social media and for mutual exposure,” said Kerry who is keen to build up her portfolio of customers.
Reading Buses Head of Engineering John Bickerton said: “One of the great things about Reading Buses is that our people are all different. We love supporting our employees whether encouraging them in fundraising for our Charity of the Year or, as in Kerry’s case, moving on their personal development.
“It might seems strange for a company to be supporting an employee in changing their career, but having a happy workforce is paramount to providing the best service for our customers. If that means helping someone find their true following, then we should be able to support that.”
n To find out more about Kerry visit www.kerrydavey.com
