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Claire Peers. Director. Westinghouse Electric Company

We had the pleasure of spending the day with Russ, and it was a truly transformative experience for our executive team.

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Russ skilfully guided us through the concepts of personal and team resilience, focusing on how we can better support our teams while fostering psychological safety. The day was a perfect blend of hard-hitting insights, relatable personal anecdotes, and humour, which kept the session engaging and impactful.

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Russ left us with practical tools and a fresh perspective on building stronger, more resilient teams. We couldn’t recommend him highly enough!

 

Andrew Powell. CEO and founder. Bancroft House. Multi award winning veteran housing provider.

If you ever have the chance to join Russ’s Masterclass, don’t hesitate - go for it! His storytelling is filled with real-life resonance, and his ability to genuinely connect with the audience are truly remarkable.

 

The day was incredible and left me reflecting deeply on my own well-being, as well as how I can support others. I highly recommend the session I attended, and I’m confident that any session Russ leads will be just as impactful. Safe and sound has a real story to the name one you will need to hear by attending his course.

 

Claire Parsonage. Project and Change Lead. HCRG Group

I have spent two days with Russ whilst he delivered his Safe and Sound training and I would say that if anyone gets the chance to go on it, please go! It was engaging, thought provoking, emotional and fun.

Russ is an excellent trainer who listens, laughs, shares valuable lessons learnt and who makes you feel like you can conquer anything life throws at you.

Amazing! His book is also great too

 

Alie Salford. Psychological therapies lead. Walking with The Wounded. Vice Chair NED MoD (VAPC) RCPsych NHS Advisory board.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Russ Magnall professionally for many years, and I am continually impressed by his dedication, compassionate leadership approach, and overall ability to speak to any audience.

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Russ's extensive experience in Greater Manchester Police, including his role as a Joint Emergency Services Commander, has equipped him with unparalleled skills in emergency response and multi-agency coordination.

His exceptional briefing and debriefing skills make him a standout person in high-pressure situations.

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As a Wellbeing and Resilience Coach, Russ has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting the mental health and resilience of others, particularly the blue light/emergency services and armed forces community.

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 His work in delivering strategies and tactical plans during critical incidents, such as the Manchester Arena attack, showcased his ability to provide effective and compassionate support in times of crisis.

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 Russ's long and distinguished career as a Police Inspector, recognised with the Queen's Police Medal for long service and good conduct, reflects his dedication to public service. His journey from a neighbourhood ‘bobby’ to dog handler, and eventually Inspector, highlights his versatility and expertise in various aspects of policing.

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Russ is also a qualified wellbeing coach, motivational speaker, and the provider of Safe and Sound Wellbeing Training. His training programs, grounded in real-world experience and scientific evidence, have helped countless individuals build resilience and maintain their mental health and the way he delivers this training is second to none.​

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I would recommend anyone attends this as there is always a takeaway!

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On a personal level, Russ is simply a wonderfully uplifting and interesting human being. I truly appreciate time spent with him and always find our interactions enriching. Russ Magnall is an invaluable asset to any organisation or service, and I wholeheartedly recommend him.

 

Helen Kane. Owner. Forte Strengths Ltd. Safe and Sound Champion

We should all feel Safe and Sound! Great message I took away when I attended Russ’s Resilience Masterclass to qualify as a Safe and Sound Champion!

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 I truly do champion Safe and Sound! If you ever get the chance to take part in Russ’s interactive Masterclass, without any hesitation, make sure you do it! His story telling, resonating with life, his use of props and ability to truly connect to his audience is phenomenal! Reach out to Russ if you’d like to know more.

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 I consider myself to be self-aware and experienced in wellbeing matters. I consolidated and expanded on my learning and came away feeling uplifted in a way that surprised me if I’m honest!

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Biggest takeaway for me ‘the power of three’! Making three adjustments to things we can improve, no matter how small, can have a massive positive impact. Highly recommended!

 

Dr Fiona Jane Meechan. Executive Coach. Senior leader at Police National Wellbeing Service

Russ delivered several 'Resilience for Senior Leaders' sessions for the National Police Wellbeing Service across the UK, and all were exceptionally well received.​

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Russ has an extremely engaging and compassionate style and uses a mix of gripping storytelling and coaching in his impactful approach. I've already recommended him to others, where his online sessions have been equally well received as his face-to-face ones.

 

Terry Morley. Project Lead. Op Reorg. Groundwork Manchester.

I had the pleasure to attend the Safe and Sound Course delivered by Russ Magnall. This was one of the best courses I have had the pleasure to attend. Outstanding delivery and the information shared was excellent not only for myself but for the beneficiaries I support within the Armed Forces Community. I recommend this course to anyone who works in any communities. Thank You

 

Paul Higginson. Senior Criminal Justice Employment Lead. Prison Service

What a fantastic course. Highly informative, engaging, and interactive. Taken away so many new life skills, to use in everyday life and the challenges we face daily.

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His course is not restricted to professionals, but everyone that faces common goals daily. It was well presented and executed, from start to finish.

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 Care thought and consideration of information were the ingredients for success, and it works. I would recommend this course to anyone. 

 

Tariq Butt. Director. International safety and security operator

Russ is an exceptional leader who cares both passionately for the role that he performs and for the staff that he leads, wellbeing is at the heart of everything Russ stands for! Russ brings energy, commitment, and enthusiasm along with dynamic and innovative thinking.

 

Ola Ajani. Operations director. Smart Dental Care

Russ delivered outstanding wellbeing training for our leadership team, and it was incredibly informative.

 He uses powerful stories to illustrate key strategies that managers can use to support their teams and, just as importantly, themselves. His approach is unique and captivating, offering terrific value for money.​

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 It’s a must-have training for any leadership team that is deeply committed to supporting their people. I highly recommend Russ!

 

Doctor Victoria Jeffrey. GP. Head of Urgent Care. NHS

Russ facilitates the sessions to allow reflection in a safe space. He encourages you to identify your triggers and gives simple, practical tips on how to improve resilience.

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The leadership session focussed on the qualities of a good leader, again with some practical tips which can easily be used on a day-to-day basis. I enjoyed the course.

 

Christine Thomaides. Coach. Training Facilitator

Russ really engages with his audience well with his personal stories. He also uses practical experiential tasks like breathing techniques in his training which makes it very interactive and therefore memorable. I am writing this a long time after attending his training which just shows that it was memorable with the box style breathing to calm a person down.

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He uses props to reenforce aspects of his speech which really takes the message home and his body language over all is superb. Obviously being a trainer these are the things I look for and understand these aspects of facilitation that are important to get a message over to an audience.

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Russ excelled at all aspects of facilitation and his overall message of we all can strive to be resilient in times of struggle or trauma or when faced with immediate issues was really brought home. I would recommend attending one of his sessions.

 

Jason Gardner. Plant Manager. Springfields Fuels Ltd.

I highly recommend Russ’ Safe and Sound workshop. Russ delivered training for Springfields Fuels as part of our Wellbeing and Safety Workshop.

 

As engineers we are always looking for solutions and Russ’ workshop teaches you those tools and delivers solutions to overcome those dark days in your life and shows that there is always a way forward.

The workshop was very interactive with a mixture of activities and got everyone in the room talking, I would highly recommend!

 

Rebecca McGeown. Head of Safeguarding. HCRG Care Group Ltd

I highly recommend Russ’s safe and sound training. Russ has delivered training for our community health staff and their leaders with excellent feedback from all that attended.

 

Russ will share with you tools and tips on building resilience and ensure you are fully supported throughout the training tailoring it to your needs. Looking forward to the school’s pilot in Lancashire so that this can be shared to build resilience in young people.

 

Selva Mustafa. Community collaborator. Graphic Designer

I attended one of Russ’s workshops. A more friendly and enthusiastic guy you will never find! The time flew past so fast I couldn’t believe we’d finished; I was so disappointed! With a mixture of interesting props, case studies and heartfelt real experiences it was an amazing day! Russ can make the whole room light up such is his sincerity and real understanding of what he is doing.

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 He made it seem like a fun day with your mates rather than learning, but learning it certainly was. This man has lived experience, optimism, and empathy in spades. If you want to learn resilience and wellbeing for your mental health, go no further, when are you coming back Russ??

 

Michelle Lee MA BA (Hons) RN. NHS Senior Leader (Retd)

I first met Russ when he came to deliver a `taster` session for my senior management team. I was so impressed I booked him to cover a series of events including both his one day and two day Safe and Sound training. It’s important that we equip our staff in emotional resilience and Russ’s training was very timely with us.

 

I have also commissioned Russ to link in with a school and pilot his work with young people and would recommend Russ and his Safe and Sound training to any senior leader

 

Callum Towers BEng (Hons) Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprentice

Russ is a genuine, positive, and understanding person with excellent `people skills`.

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 I asked Russ to deliver four single-day courses on site for all our apprentices. He and his course were highly engaging, and full of knowledge, tips, and techniques to help course delegates manage stress and monitor their state of mental wellbeing effectively.

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 Russ is a natural presenter, with consistently high reviews from all who attended, never failing to keep his audience engaged. He makes a point of not using any digital presentation aids, keeping the course attendees actively engaged throughout his presentation. I would recommend Russ and his Safe and Sound course to anyone wanting wellbeing training session(s).

 

Inspector Jim Jones. BEM. Police Commander. Manchester Airport

I have worked alongside Russ for many years and found him to be an inspirational, motivational, and genuinely decent bloke. He played a huge part in supporting and mentoring officers and staff affected by the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

I have sat on communication skills training sessions Russ has given, and he has a natural ability to catch and keep the attention of the audience. From vulnerable adult females to children with challenging behaviour in pupil referral units, he can adapt his style to any audience, and I have never heard anyone say anything but positive things about his skills.

 

Wendy Spencer. Group Services and Foundation Director. gb Partnerships

 Russ is a kind, caring and compassionate person at his core. He has worked with large groups, smaller audiences and even 1 to 1.

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 He teaches techniques that are easily used in daily life and do make a difference. Without exception everyone in our company came away with positive messages, ways of dealing with situations they are facing or a reminder about what is important and where to channel their energies and focus.

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There are times in all our lives when we need support or to know that at that point someone is 100% on your side and that’s Russ.

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He’s challenging and in 1 to 1 session he asks thought provoking and sometimes difficult questions. I have personally seen some excellent results from his mentorship. He is always punctual, adaptable, pleasant and reads a group well. He is immensely proud of his achievements and it’s nice to watch someone who is passionate and driven to share techniques that have helped him during his challenging career.

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 I am pleased to be able to recommend him as a trainer, coach, and mentor. All companies and their staff have had a difficult couple of years and it’s an incredibly positive step to boost resilience to help face the continuing challenges life is throwing at us.

 

Tracey Cuthbertson. CEO. The Waterwell Foundation. Industrial Engineer

I attended a Safe and Sound Masterclass and cannot thank Russ enough for helping me find that inner strength that got me to where I am today. I would recommend any company that cares about the wellbeing of their staff to speak to Russ without delay.

 

Helen Pomfret. HR & Business delivery professional.

I’ve worked with Russ for many years. He is extremely professional and knowledgeable. We worked together successfully on numerous projects in conjunction with His Majesties Inspector of Constabularies inspections using his brilliant research and leadership skills to deliver accurate information to the inspectorate. He is an absolute asset.

 

Laura Ingham. Managing Director. Wigan Armed Forces HQ

Russ did a great resilience and wellbeing presentation to the staff and volunteers at Wigan Armed Forces HQ. The team got a lot out of the training especially around coping mechanisms and identifying personal stresses. Great job Russ

 

Jo McLeod. Regional Human Resources Manager. Westinghouse Electric Company

Russ is an inspiration. His course is engaging, thought provoking and insightful. If you take part, you come away with a warm glow and feelings of immense positivity. I would recommend this course highly and defy anyone not to come away feeling the same.

 

Chris Horner. Incident Commander. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

We really enjoyed the workshop that Russ did for my team, (6 fire crew members) Russ got all my team fully engaged with the sessions and all really enjoyed the day. Well, done Russ Magnall. Tob Job

 

Paul Johnson. Instructor. Challenge The Wild

Russ delivered a presentation to a recovery group at the mental health charity I am trustee and support group facilitator of. He did his presentation to a group of thirty service users who were in various levels of recovery of different mental health conditions.

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Right from the start with his table of ‘props’ at the front I could tell this was no ‘PowerPoint’ this was going to ‘make a point’!

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His friendly professional delivery made the attendees feel at ease, with powerful personal stories and the use of his ‘unique’ prop’s made the session engaging, enjoyable and thought provoking around the issue of mental resilience and mental wealth.

Every one of the attendees said it was a fantastic presentation and very different than a ‘PowerPoint ‘or ‘lecture’ style of talk and they all took a lot away from the session.

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 Even long after the session his stories and analogies resonated with me, and I’ve started to use some of the analogies myself.

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Overall, if you want a session that’s different, effective, and fun and will be remembered then Russ is your man. I feel attendees will get a lot from it and will be sure to be ‘safe and sound’ afterwards.

 

Maria Worthington. Director `Your Success Story`. Former senior leader at Six Town Housing. Ambassador Cash for Kids Charity

The world of front-line housing has always had its challenges but in recent years the needs of our tenants have become increasingly complex and multi-faceted. Some of the issues and situations that our staff must deal with can leave its mark particularly in terms of traumatic stress.

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 Russ came into the workplace and delivered a no nonsense, practical session offering good advice about not only how to deal with hard hitting scenarios but also how to recover and build the resilience to carry on.

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The delivery was conducive to all levels of staff and was also taken into a community group which proved to be just as successful. To support our younger members of the community of Bury, Russ engaged in our youth programme working with 15/16-year-olds struggling to fit into mainstream education.

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 His down to earth approach resonated with the young people and had a beneficial effect in their self-assessment and forward thinking into adulthood.

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Russ has an amazing work ethic which oozes enthusiasm and a genuine drive to make a difference to those he works with. I wish him the very best and only wish we could keep him full-time!

 

Louise Redfern. Louise M Redfern Counselling and Psychotherapy Services

I would like to recommend Russ as a Coach in Resilience training, work goals and interview training. I spent a great day with Russ this week being coached for the above and feel much more confident about applying for new jobs and developing my own private practice.

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Russ is a good listener and was able to identify key issues that I need to work on and give me strategies to be able to do so.

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 I found him to be very professional and personable with a passion for helping others. He has given me a great boost of confidence and I would thoroughly recommend him if you were wanting some direction or assistance with achieving specific goals!

 

Leanne Murphy (TechIOSH). H&S professional. Safe and Sound Champion

 I’ve known Russ for a few years and met him at a military breakfast club. He is genuinely interested in supporting blue light service and veterans.

His calm and caring nature makes his courses valuable to anyone, and he has a genuine interest in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing.

His smile is infectious, and you instantly feel calm in talking. He has a genuine interest in people and supporting people. I would highly recommend Russ and his courses, not just to veterans and blue light, but to any industry.

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Kal Bhatti. Police Sergeant. Specialist trainer

I have known and worked alongside Russ in championing service delivery. Russ has such a positive attitude and is meticulous. His communication skills are one of his strengths, and he fosters collaboration and teamwork to achieve positive outcomes. His passion excels in facilitating group discussions and seeking innovative ideas and approaches. A real pleasure to be around and great genuine guy.

 

Marketa Cardon. Digital Marketing & Analytics Professional. Smart Dental Care

Russ delivered a dynamic, hands-on workshop that was incredibly relatable and practical. His approach draws on decades of experience, and the session was educational, engaging, and enjoyable.

Russ shared powerful strategies for building resilience and managing wellbeing effectively. His expertise made this training a standout experience!

It's clear that Russ's methods are designed to equip teams with the skills needed to foster a culture of strong mental health and high performance.

 

Tracey Bartholomew. Recovery / Housing Officer. Safe and Sound Champion

Russ gave a talk on our Calico away day and I have to say I was impressed by his honesty and true emotions throughout. Russ is one of the best speakers I have had the pleasure to listen to and his message really hit home and made me think a lot about not only myself but the customers I serve. Truly inspirational

 

John Paul Ruffell. Chief Superintendent

I’ve worked with Russ during his time with Greater Manchester Police. He is a great person, engaging, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He has delivered numerous initiatives, leadership and support across the organisation and remains well respected and liked by those that interact with him. All the very best Russ you will succeed at anything you turn your hand too.

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Libby Morley-Hassanali. Vice Chair. Association of Occupational Health Professionals. Specialist Mental Health Trainer. Safe and Sound Champion

I highly recommend Russ for training related to boosting personal resilience. If you’re looking for a session full of energy and brought to life with his array of props and stories, both personal and from his police experience, then check him out! I’m feeling Safe and Sound since attending his course!

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John Babb. Director. Chelstern George Ltd. Specialist Police Trainer

I had the pleasure of working alongside Russ as a frontline police officer for several years. One of the things that always struck me about Russ, was his passion for people. He has always demonstrated a caring concern for both his colleagues and members of the public.

This continued throughout his policing career, and later as a police commander, his caring nature always shone through.

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 I have personally witnessed him seeking the best outcomes for officers under his command, whilst weighing up the impact of police action/s on the public. A dedicated balance, indicative of an outstanding leader.

Today, post policing. Russ continues to promote the wellbeing of others. He works with a variety of groups, and different age groups, promoting good mental health through his ‘Safe & Sound’ workshops. Passing on the unique skills and practices that foster resilience and mental toughness. All of which he developed during his thirty-year policing career.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to work with Russ, you’ll be all the better for it.

 

Stewart Ottley. Director. Major Projects. Springfields Fuels (Westinghouse)

It was a pleasure being part of a day with Russ. His passion and delivery style coupled with his life experiences ensures all in the room are fully engaged, driving thought provoking and self-reflecting topics that are not discussed openly in our everyday working / personal environments.

 

Maxine Livesey. Head of Police Recruitment. Greater Manchester Police

I have known and worked with Russ for many years on various projects. Russ is ever the professional, treating everybody he meets with respect and striving to gain the best for all candidates and colleagues alike.

Russ is also fun to work with, putting enjoyment into learning  for the development for all attendees, pitching the learning outcomes at the appropriate level for his targeted cohort, and always ensuring his audience feel empowered and enlightened by the time he`s finished speaking or delivering a training package.

It was always a pleasure to team up with Russ and I wish him well in his new ventures.

 

Adele Owen – Queens Police Medal. National Expert on Suicide Prevention

I worked with Russ, at Greater Manchester Police, and I found him to be one of the most positive people in the organisation with a great growth mindset. Always keen to hear a new perspective on issues effecting day to day delivery and willing to work with others on finding a solution to address them. All skills that will be of benefit to others externally too.

 

Rick Jackson.  Assistant Chief Constable

I worked with Russ over many years and through a variety of incidents that would have tested the resolve of the most resilient professionals. Throughout that time the priorities that Russ focussed on were clear for everyone to see; the safety and protection of the public closely followed by protecting the welfare and promoting the wellbeing of staff.

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 Russ is a consummate professional who is full of energy and passionate about public service and the development of others. Whatever the future has in store for Russ, I’m sure his values and work ethic will be an asset to any Organisation or project he sets his mind to.

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