Chester-based coach, author and speaker Ann Girling is set to bring her dream of helping women a step closer.

Ann is launching a series of workshops to help develop women’s confidence, esteem and aspirations.

Ann said: “I passionately believe that a greater contribution from women can help to change the world. There is still a disproportionately low level of females in key leadership roles in large corporations and I think this is a mistake. I strongly doubt that we would have the level of economic crisis today if the banks had more women at the top.”

Ann Girling is the founder of On The Threshold, a business bringing together Ann’s twin passions for health visiting, her previous career, and coaching, which both strive to empower women. Through her own experience, she inspires other women to move forward and make powerful choices in their lives.

She added: “Women have incredible strengths which are rarely used to their advantage. All too often women are too busy managing their families, homes and careers so that they do not take the time to focus on themselves and harness their power. Through my own experiences, I have seen how powerful it can be when a little time is taken to nurture this. It can really change an ordinary life into an extraordinary life and this is my ultimate aim for my clients.”

Ann started her career as a children’s nurse straight from school. Years later, having suffered from post-natal depression, a miscarriage, stress and mental health issues, she took charge of her life and devoted herself to helping other women who have suffered traumatic events or illness to move forward and make better lives for themselves.

She created her company to combine her background in health visiting, her coaching qualifications and experience, and her passion for making a difference to women’s lives. She provides personal development for women through one-to-one coaching and group workshops.

“Looking back it was clear that nurses were fantastic at looking after other people and not so good at looking after themselves, but at the time I always felt that I was invincible,” she said.

At the age of 52 she decided to leave the NHS and set up her business which evolved into On The Threshold.

Ann works with women who have been breast cancer patients or who have experienced the trauma of miscarriage, post-natal depression, involuntary childlessness and other conditions. She also works with women who have been through significant life events which may include divorce or separation, redundancy and stress related illness.

Ann says: “I value the difference women make to the world, no matter how little they are listened to, how their emotional needs can be ignored and how stigma can be attached to the illnesses or experiences they have suffered. I see their caring and compassion, their fantastic leadership skills, how they manage home, family and work, and yet are not valued by our society. I also know how these experiences impact on their self esteem and confidence.”

She regularly writes about her specialist subjects and is currently writing a book entitled Journey to Chocolate: Explorations of one 21st century Woman’s Life.

The Threshold Workshops are a series of six, two-hour, group coaching sessions which provide the benefits of individual coaching but at a more affordable rate and with the company and support of other women. They will take place at The Barn Restaurant, Bridge Trafford, Chester CH4 2JR, on October 7, 14 and 21 and the November 4, 11 and 18.

For more information, visit: www.onthethreshold.co.uk/event-information or contact Ann on 01244 300391.