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Why Viv?
As a wise elder, I informally consider myself a carrier of knowledge, culture & lived experiences. People say I am an “expert by experience”, having lived through my own historical adoption, recovery from teacher burnout, divorce, & post traumatic growth after the death of my 21 year old daughter in 2019.
Maintaining my creative, mental, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing ensures I bring clarity, vision & clean energy to my friendships, communities & creative work. I have a knack of seeing people before I see them. I am a systems thinker understanding the wider perspective. I am an active listener, bringing qualities of attention and presence to my interactions. As a working poet and creative, life narrative inquiry underpins my practice. I am curious about beauty, aesthetics, nature & the human condition.
Born in the early 1960’s, intellectual freedom, supporting women’s rights, climate and environmental concerns inform my values & activism. I am collaborative, contributing to the building of healthy and creative communities where ever I am called to serve.
Formally, I have cultivated a highly successful 40 plus year professional career, moving effortlessly between roles as an educator in postgraduate teacher education & training, as a fine art & art & design lecturer in the creative sector and more recently as a coach and life guide within the wellbeing sector.
I combine my intuitive wisdom, organisational skills & industry led knowledge from these professional fields to provide you with an innovative, bespoke & sometimes profound coaching experience.
Testimonials
Viv has been coaching me (more recently) for the last 18 months, during which I have been through a very difficult period of my life. I lost my partner in June 2022, went into rehab in October 2022 and have since embarked on a journey of recovery from alcoholism. Viv has been there all the way for me.
Viv is a great listener and communicator and has coached me positively whilst at the same time challenging me to come up with goals, which may be taking me out of my comfort zone, however, are essential for my recovery. She is 100% trustworthy and displays the right amount of empathy.
With Viv’s coaching, I am approaching three years of sobriety, dealing with my grief and managing my life in a much better way. Viv has helped me get into full time paid employment again, to live independently and to be able to deal with difficult situations, which in the past I have struggled with.
I have no hesitation in recommending Viv as a life coach/guide.
The 10 personal coaching sessions I've had with Viv have been highly effective in helping me maintain a more balanced, contented and authentic life.
I believe I received the correct amount of life coaching required to guide me towards finding my own way to face the dilemmas I had been experiencing in my life. Viv never solved my problems, rather she asked great questions, which enabled me to reflect and keep my attention on the core issues that came to light during the coaching sessions.
Viv’s coaching approach, helped me stay focused on what I had asked to gain from the sessions. This resulted in me gathering enough courage to take my first steps towards not allowing my fear to hinder my attempts at communicating effectively and assertively in the difficult situations I have found myself in. I learnt about the importance of understanding and expressing my personal and professional needs and putting in healthy boundaries with a variety of people in my life.
Viv is kind and thoughtful and I never felt embarrassed to say anything. She created a safe environment, free from judgment. Viv is a very good listener and I felt very encouraged during our coaching sessions.
Viv always summarised what I had said. I enjoyed the thought processes that arose and the potential avenues Viv guided me to explore. I gained important insights and took realistic actions I could cope with.
Throughout my package of 6 coaching sessions with Viv, I was able to speak and talk about the tensions I had been feeling, between my professional work and personal commitments. We explored what had happened to me since my last coaching session. Topics were then brought together and we discussed how I could address overdue work/life changes, which I felt in control of and needed to be made.
I want to thank Viv for helping me find the clear way to my life’s work and mission again. I now know that the things in my life are there for a good reason.
My professional music career has expanded into writing my life story and authentic storytelling through my music and talks. Viv helped me to find my direction again after some coaching. I highly recommend her as a coach who nurtures people’s creative development.
Qualifications
Accredited Foundation Coach
Association for Coaching UK
Diploma in Human Potential Coaching
The Academy of Human Potential, London, UK
Certificate in Presence Based Coaching
Including Mindfulness Training
The Academy of Human Potential, London, UK
LeTTOL (Learning to teach and tutor online)
Sheffield College, UK
MA (Ed) Educational Management
Dissertation Title: Into the Fold – A Case of Multiplicity in Cyberspace.
Key Words: Internet Technologies, Poetic Space, Creativity, Post-human and Post Structural Feminist Theory, Identity Construction in Online Postgraduate Teacher Education, e-learning, Virtual learning environment. Plymouth University UK
PG Dip (Postgraduate Diploma in Education)
Embedding e-learning into Postgraduate Teaching, Feminist Approaches to Narrative Research, Reconceptualization of the Curriculum, Creativity within Postgraduate Education
Plymouth University UK
Certificate in Education (Post-16)
Plymouth University UK
Society of Industrial Artists & Designers (S.I.A.D.)
Textiles/ Surface Design with Business Studies
Somerset College of Art & Design, Taunton, UK
South West Regional Diploma Textiles/Surface Pattern
Somerset College of Art & Design, Taunton, UK
General Diploma in Art & Design
Somerset College of Art & Design, Taunton, UK
Member
Association of Coaching, London, UK
Member
Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Achievements
Journal Publications
The University as a Site for Transformation around Sustainability
Dr Jennie Winter, Prof Debby Cotton, Ms Vivien Grant and Prof Peter Hopkinson (2015) International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development (IJISD). Special Issue: Innovations in Sustainability Management in Universities.
Graduate Teaching Assistants: Responding to the Challenges of Internationalisation
(ID: 986661. DOI: 10.1080/1360144X.2014.986661) International Journal of Academic Development (IJAD) (Download Current Citation: RIS Bib Tex) Publication Date – 08 Dec. 2014 (online) – Jennie Winter, Rebecca Turner, Sharon Gedye, Vivien Grant, Patricia Nash.
Adoption, Love and The Struggle to be Born – An Auto ethnographic account of the affects of Adoption
Grant, V, The Journal of Loss and Trauma, Taylor & Francis, USA, Vol16 Aug 2009.
Taking a stance: Promoting deliberate action through online postgraduate professional development
Kelly, P, Gale, K, Wheeler, S & Tucker, V: (2007) in Technology, Pedagogy and Education.
Chapters in Books
Winter, J. Cotton, D, and Grant, V (2012) Experiencing Transformation: A student Perspective
In Leal, W. “Sustainable Development at Universities: New Horizons”, Peter Lang, PP86-97.
Tucker, V. ‘Emerging Online Practices: An Endo-Aesthetic Approach to e-tutoring and e-learning’
In Wheeler, S (2009) Connected Minds Emerging Culture, The Rise of Cyber-culture in Online Learning. Information Age Publishers, USA.
Reports
Internationalisation and the Student Experience – April 2014
Ethnicity and Equality in Higher Education: The Postgraduate Teaching Experience. Jennie Winter, Rebecca Turner, Sharon Gedye, Patricia Nash & Vivien Grant, Plymouth University.
Transformative learning for Sustainability in Higher Education: Exploring Diverse Student Experiences – Sept 2012 Faculty Report
Dr Jennie Winter, Professor Debby Cotton, Ms Vivien Grant.
An Institutional Comparison of an Academic and Student perspective on Transformation within Sustainability – Sept 2012 Internal Faculty Report
Ms Viv Grant, Dr Jennie Winter, Dr Debby Cotton, Dr Peter Hopkinson, Plymouth University and University of Bradford.
E-learning – Staff Perceptions and Expectations of embedding e-learning into their developing pedagogy in Higher Education – Oct. 2005 Report for Faculty Managers
Viv Tucker, Alan Hutchison and Graeme Horton
Conference Presentations
Associated Conference Presentation – Oct. 2012 – Los Angeles North America
AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Transformation, Sustainability and Higher Education – What’s really going on?
Professor Debby Cotton, Dr Jennie Winter and Ms Vivien Grant, Plymouth University UK (with acknowledgement and thanks to Dr Peter Hopkinson, University of Bradford).
Associated Conference Presentation – July 2012 Bangkok Thailand
ICED (International Consortium for Educational Development)
Transformative Learning in Sustainability: Student and Staff Perspectives
Professor Debby Cotton, Dr Jennie Winter and Ms Vivien Grant (with acknowledgement and thanks to Dr Peter Hopkinson, University of Bradford).
Associated Conference Presentation – June 2012 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
Experiencing Transformation: A Student Perspective
Dr Jennie Winter, Professor Debby Cotton, and Ms Vivien Grant, Plymouth University (with acknowledgement and thanks to Dr Peter Hopkinson, University of Bradford).
Conference Presentation: June 2012 Plymouth UK
VC’s (Vice Chancellors Teaching and Learning Conference) Plymouth University, UK
Transformative Learning for Sustainability: A Student Perspective
Dr Jennie Winter, Ms Vivien Grant & Dr Debby Cotton
Conference Presentation: April 2012 Plymouth UK
Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO), Teaching and Learning Directorate, Plymouth University, UK.
Experiencing Transformation in Sustainability: A Student Perspective
Dr Jennie Winter, Ms Vivien Grant & Dr Debby Cotton
Conference Presentation: Jan 2012
The Eighth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, Canada.
Culture, Transformative Learning and Sustainability in Higher Education
Jennie Winter, Vivien Grant and Debby Cotton; Plymouth University UK.
Conference Presentation: 2005
Power, Discourse and Resistance Conference, Plymouth University, Devon, UK.
Emerging Online Practices: An Endo-Aesthetic Approach to e-tutoring and e-learning
Viv Tucker nee Grant
Skills & Experience
Skills
Experience
Workplace & Personal Life Coach - Nature Based Coaching
Self-employed Nov 2014 - Present 10 yrs 9 months. In-person in Somerset & Devon, nationally and globally online.
Course Leader BA (hons) & FdA Fine Art - Associate Lecturer
Bridgwater & Taunton College, Taunton, Somerset, UK. Mar 2024 – Present. Taunton Campus of BTC. On-site & hybrid working. Teaching, support of studio practice development & learning, formative & summative assessment. Dissertation marking.
Coach for Historical Adoptees & Families who have adopted children
Freelance Sept. 2024 - Present. In-person in Somerset & Devon. Online. Co-working in-person with a clinical psychologist & psychologist delivering systemic family therapy with families who have adopted children. Working with narrative & solution focused interventions.
Independent Adoption Panel Member – Adopt South West Adoption Agency - Devon County Council
Freelance Sept. 2020 – Present. Hybrid working, Recommending Adopters and Children matched into permanent placements. Quality assurance of documents and processes.
Freelance Mindfulness and Wellbeing Practitioner - Royal British Legion
Freelance April 2023 to present. RBL Care home in Somerset- Delivering Mindfulness practice, mental and spiritual wellbeing support for ex-armed forces residents.
Associate Lecturer in BA (Hons) & FdA Fine Art
Somerset College, Taunton, Somerset, UK. Sept. 2014 - Jul 2015.
Teaching, support of studio practice development & learning, formative & summative assessment. Dissertation marking.
Educational & Wellbeing Consultant, MindfulnessUK
Taunton, Somerset, UK Jan 2014 - Sep 2014. Prepared the student handbook and learning resources for validation of a new Level 4 Certificate, "Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion in Professional Practice" accredited by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).
Academic Developer
Jun 2012 - Sep 2013. PedRIO, (Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory) Plymouth University.
Designed and delivered academic and professional development activities applicable to the needs of individuals, departments and the University strategic mission. Working as part of a vibrant, creative and innovative educational development team.
Leadership in advising and supporting faculty staff across the Plymouth campus in reflecting on their teaching, assessment and research to develop their pedagogic knowledge & research practices.
Designed & delivered staff development workshops focused on key agendas associated with teaching and learning and pedagogic research in Higher Education.
Contributed to teaching, support of learning and the formative & summative assessment on the General Teaching Associates (GTA) and Post-graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) programmes, incorporating the Professional Standards Framework in HE (UKPSF) in the assessment processes.
I wrote and edited research-based teaching and learning publications for staff including guidance documents and reviews of relevant literature to support staff in their CPD.
Research Assistant
May 2011 - Dec 2012. PedRIO (Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory), Plymouth University. See career path & achievements section.
Associate Lecturer in Education BA(Hons) in Education Studies
Oct 2011 - Nov 2012 · Faculty of Education, Rolle Buliding, Plymouth University. General teaching & assessment responsibilities, tutorials, dissertation supervision & marking. Module Leader for Engaged Pedagogy, Love and the Practice of Care in Education.
Associate Lecturer in Education Temporary Plymouth University Partner College Course Leader - DTTLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Life Long Sector).
Somerset College, Taunton, Somerset Oct 2010 - July 2011. Curriculum design & development of Professional Teaching Portfolios, updating curriculum content for validation processes.
Associate Lecturer - FdA in Media Make-up
Somerset College, Taunton, Somerset, UK. Sep 2009 - Jul 2010. Teaching, supporting learning and assessment of the Visual Studies element of the programme - Observational Drawing Studies, Visual Research, Life Drawing, Portraiture, Digital Photography and 3D Sculptural Clay work.
Educational Consultant
University of Westminster Sept. 2008 - June 2009 Cavendish Campus. For the pedagogical development, design and implementation of an online Foundation Degree in Biomedical Science.
Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education & Training
Full-time Plymouth University Sep 1999 - Aug 2008, Rolle College Campus, Exmouth, Devon, UK.
Leadership of Teaching, Learning and Assessment on the PGCE (Post-16) and Cert Ed Programmes.
Actively involved in curricula design & development, teaching and learning strategies, module development and validation for Wellbeing in Education, Cyberculture & Education, Engaged pedagogy, Love & the practice of Care in Education.
I produced a wide range of high quality and appropriate teaching & learning resources to support subject specific modules. Acted as a pedagogic mentor to other senior academics in cross faculty professional development.
I carried out unfunded in house research to underpin the development and reform of the teaching and learning programmes.
I undertook observations of trainee teachers in their placement settings, providing constructive feedback.
Leadership role as co-ordinator for trainee teacher’s placements in FE and HE colleges/University.
Supervision & marking of BA Education and Training dissertations.
Facilitation of departmental staff appraisals.
Cross faculty member of the IT strategy group for Plymouth University.
Cross faculty member of Innovation and Entrepreneur group for Plymouth University: bridging the gap between different disciplines, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive innovation and entrepreneurial activities.
Temporary Course Director HNC Fashion (Full-Time) Temporary Course Director HNC Fashion (Full-Time)
Plymouth College of Art and Design Jan 1998 - Jul 1998. Leadership of the programme, preparation of course documents for re-validation, staff appraisals.
Lecturer in Art and Design - Foundation Art & General Art & Design Courses
Plymouth College of Art & Design. Sept. 1991 - Jul 1997. Teaching, support of learning and assessment on BTEC General Art & Design - Foundation Studies Programmes - Leader in specialist area of Lens based media (film and photography) & Fashion/Textiles.