Case Studies.
A selection of work illustrating my experience supporting individuals, families, organisations and communities in complex environments.
Manchester Arena Bombing
In the immediate aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing, support services faced unprecedented and overwhelming demand.
I was engaged to develop an evidence-based framework capable of supporting large numbers of people affected by the incident. This included synthesising clinical guidance, designing the SENSE Framework, training practitioners and supporting multiagency adoption.
The outcome:
A framework which is now used nationally by a range of organisations to shape responses to terrorism, sudden bereavement and victim support.
Family Reintegration Support for Hostages
Former hostages returning home often face family reintegration challenges for which no dedicated support model existed.
Together with Hostage International I established a pioneering international reintegration service supporting individuals and families navigating the aftermath of captivity. This involved developing a bespoke family mediation methodology; piloting and refining the intervention; training international practitioners; and establishing a scalable delivery model.
The outcome:
The creation of a first-of-its-kind global service that transforms support for former hostages and their families whilst building international capability in this emerging field.
A People-Focused Crisis Response
A high profile organisational crisis involving loss of life, competing stakeholder interests and intense media scrutiny created significant leadership, welfare and reputational challenges.
I was engaged to provide independent strategic guidance to senior leaders, affected families and key stakeholders throughout a complex and evolving situation. This included advising leadership teams, supporting victims and bereaved families, shaping communications strategies, and negotiating engagement between parties whose needs and priorities often diverged.
The outcome
The organisation fulfilled its duty of care with integrity, rebuilt trust and strengthened critical relationships, creating the conditions for longterm recovery.
Family Reintegration Support for Hostages
Former hostages returning home often face family reintegration challenges for which no dedicated support model existed.
Together with Hostage International I established a pioneering international reintegration service supporting individuals and families navigating the aftermath of captivity. This involved developing a bespoke family mediation methodology; piloting and refining the intervention; training international practitioners; and establishing a scalable delivery model.
The outcome:
The creation of a first-of-its-kind global service that transforms support for former hostages and their families whilst building international capability in this emerging field.
Military Traumatic Bereavement
The unique challenges facing military families following the death of a loved one whilst serving on overseas operations in Iraq and Afghanistan required a specialist and evidence-based approach to bereavement support.
Working together with military units in the aftermath of a fatality, I established a dedicated traumatic bereavement service whilst advancing understanding of effective organisational responses to loss by undertaking doctoral research focusing on the impact of the military’s response. I led on the design and launch of the service; supporting 27 families and 7 military units.
The outcome
The translation of research findings into training, policy and practice recommendations, both across Defence and other uniformed services.
Get in touch
consultancy@nicolalester.co.uk
Phone
+44 7912763247