We soon realized there was a need and a massive gap in what was being offered elsewhere, for short intensive residential courses. This was both in terms of cost and the time people could commit to attending a course away from home. We formed and registered our own company called Confidence Lab, trade marked it and bought the www.confidence-lab.com name too.
Tim Metcalfe and co-director Nabeela Ahmed took up the challenge of running courses through our own experience gained in over three years running courses for an American outfit called the McGuire Programme. These courses helped people with speech defects like lisping,stuttering and the lack of self-esteem and shyness that the condition brought about.
We soon realized that many many people of all social classes and professions have very similar fears and trepidation's to those with Social anxiety and shyness difficulties when it came to making presentations, attending interviews, acting more assertively, becoming more motivated and focussing objectively on the future.
Confidence Lab has a mission to help all those people who wish to live life to their true potential, to develop new skills and feel free of any fears and inhibitions that may have prevented progress in the past. Some people join us for help with social anxieties/phobias like shyness and blushing. Others just to find tips in presentations and interviews etc.
Anything which may be perceived as a cause of low self esteem or confidence can make people withdraw from functioning to their full potential or inhibit social interaction. Social workers have come along to gain ideas on how to help their own needs in helping others. People setting up a new business to gain greater conversational skills. Small sales teams have also joined us gaining new ideas for dealing with clients through better communication.
We have also had people attending that come to use to try and rehabilitate themselves after a traumatic time or rebuild their esteem after or during stopping taking medication like anti depressants and tranquilizers. Although we must stress this isn't our area of expertise, the courses help them immensely and often prove a inspiring leap of faith back into society and all the challenges everyday life can bring about. We fully realize that no one size fits all, we cater for everyone in the broadest sense and all enjoy the fun involved too.
There are many self-improvement or motivation courses available in the UK at present, however in our experience most of these fall into two categories, very formal or very spiritually based courses, both of which are often highly expensive. Confidence Lab courses are centered around the middle ground of what is sometimes two extremes. We believe our service offers a competitive medium that many are searching for.
Our Team
The Confidence Lab team brings together the best in experience, support and understanding to provide a tailored service to meet your needs. Key staff are listed below. Additional coaches can be called upon as their expertise is needed. Read on to learn more about the Confidence Lab team.
Nabeela Ahmed
Her belief is that we are capable of living our dreams in reality. Her mission in life is to help people become successful through managing their own abilities and going for that dream!
She achieves this through her role as a Marketing and public relations officer for a national charity, promoting volunteering to young people to help them achieve skills and experience and make a difference to others lives.
She also instructs speech therapy courses and coaches people who have a stammer to face their fears and live their life to the highest standards.
Someone who has successfully overcome many challenges in her own life, she comes to Confidence Lab to share her dynamic spirit and determination to succeed.
Michelle Bradley
Michelle is an experienced trainer and instructor who has compiled and delivered a wide range of courses over her time with Confidence Lab, and has also undertaken a range of holistic training programmes. Michelle provides individual and group programs to others whose lives are affected by shyness conditions & fear and worry.
Techniques taught include education, cognitive therapy, relaxation techniques, focusing skills, breathing techniques, beliefs and perception, self esteem, behavioral therapy and more.
Her empathetic approach, coupled with her high level of professionalism and sense of humour make for a most enlightening and beneficial experience on the confidence lab and most importantly will provide you with the skills you need to live a life free from anxiety, fear, panic and worry.
Timothy Metcalfe
Tim, who has been with Confidence Lab from the start brings with him many ideas from many countries including Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
He works in the "engine room" at the Lab, helping run our administration side while also constantly trying to improve new hands-on activities, especially within the cognitive behavioral therapy field.
He has also worked in psychodrama and theatre in New Zealand with Maori and Antipodean Islanders.
Tim currently runs a Bradford based self-help group that supports people with inhibition and communicative difficulties. He has a unique insight into working with groups and brings out the best in people through his work in role play scenarios. Together with his inventive humor, Tim gives Confidence Lab a more informal feel that keep things flowing at an energetic level.
Dave Hill
Currently working in experiential training, Dave will engage you in a unique way – he can appeal to the emotions of people as well as their reason – delivering a much more hands-on model of learning. By teaching feelings as well as logic!
Dave's expertise comes from his theatrical education background of working with schools and drama associations to deliver understanding of how and why people do what they do, he can challenge beliefs and attitudes. In this way he is able to analyse the causes of conflict and develop practical solutions in communication.
Dave is also a keen athlete, regularly running at competitive level in cross country meetings. He will often train for many weeks in preparation for both London & New York marathons - both of which he has completed in under three & a half hours!
