Spectators to Participants

Service Description

NEW DATES IN 2027 The November group is on hold. I'm running Spectators to Participants again in 2027. Want to hear the new dates first? Email cherie@cheriegaites.com with "Spectators" in the subject line and I'll put you at the top of the list. One room. No judgement. Real courage. Four Thursday evenings on Zoom. Leave with one brave next step, said out loud, and proof the sky doesn't fall. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. YOU'RE JUST WATCHING INSTEAD. Maybe it's speaking up in meetings. Going to a movie on your own. Changing jobs. Standing up in front of a room and saying something that matters. When I was working in Sydney, I had a choice every night: sit in a motel room, or get out amongst it. I used to hate going places on my own. I went anyway, and it turned out to be some of the most fun and most fulfilling time of my life. Most people aren't judging you. They're too busy worrying about themselves. This workshop is where you find that out for yourself. HOW IT WORKS Four Thursday evenings on Zoom, 30 minutes each. No speeches, no "introduce yourself", and nobody gets put on the spot. Week 1: Connection. Quietly name the thing you've been watching from the sidelines. Week 2: Creativity. Put into words how that fear really feels. Week 3: Community. Find out you were never the only one. Week 4: Courage. Say your next step out loud, as yourself. Two weeks later, I'll check in with one question: did you do it? WHAT YOU WALK AWAY WITH Proof the sky doesn't fall. You'll have felt it for yourself, not just been told. One brave next step, said out loud, not just thought about. A keepsake from your group, a piece of writing created together, so you remember you were never the only one. WHO IT'S FOR This is for you if: - you want to speak up at work, but stay quiet - you'd love to go to a movie, a gig or dinner on your own, but don't - you're ready for a new job, a new hobby or a new chapter, and keep putting it off - you'd love to stand up and speak in public, but the thought makes your stomach drop - you're tired of watching from the sidelines It's not for you if you're looking for therapy or counselling. This is a confidence workshop, a small, safe room to practise being brave. THE DETAILS When: Four Thursday evenings, 7pm to 7:30pm AEDT. New dates in 2027. Where: Zoom, from your own lounge room Group size: 10 places only Investment: $27 for all four sessions. This is the founding group price. It goes up for every group after this one. Missed a week? Weeks 1 and 2 are recorded, so you can catch up. Weeks 3 and 4 only work live. If you miss one of those, you're welcome to join that week with a future group. QUESTIONS Do I have to share anything personal? Only what you choose to. Nobody is put on the spot, and there are no turns. In week 4 you'll say one small next step out loud, and you decide how much to say. Will anyone know what I wrote? No. Anything you write is anonymous to the group. I'll know whose words are whose, and that stays with me. Do I need my camera on? Yes, please. You never have to say more than you want to, but being in the room is part of it, and online that means being seen. If you need a moment, you can switch it off briefly, then come back. I'm really nervous about this. Should I still come? That's exactly why you should. Everyone in the room will feel the same way, and that's the point. ABOUT CHERIE I've spent 35 years in dance, theatre and community arts. I've choreographed more than 20 productions and taught people of every age to step into a spotlight. Along the way, I worked out what actually helps people be brave. It isn't being put on the spot or pushed into an icebreaker. It's everyone doing the same small thing together, so nobody's being watched. That's how I run every room, and it's how this workshop works. I'm based in Tamworth, NSW, and I'd love to have you in the room.