About John and Akasha

The Empowering Partnership is a not-for-profit Association specialising in personal development. Its directors are John Gloster-Smith and Akasha Lonsdale. We are a husband-and-wife team.

John Gloster-Smith

I am a writer, educator and facilitator. I regularly coach clients (in English) on a not-for-profit basis.

In my background I have coached members of the Senior Civil Service and senior managers in British and European businesses and have facilitated a wide range of learning and development programmes.

I have taught politics and history at leading English public schools and was for 10 years the Director of the History and Politics faculty and latterly also the Director of School Examinations. I have a BA Honours degree (2:1) in Modern History and a PGCE, both from Oxford University.

I also extensively studied Gestalt Therapy at the Metanoia Institute in London. Thus I bring to my work a knowledge of History and Politics, a skill in detailed research, a strength in designing and facilitating learning experiences, and an ability to listen to and observe people in their personal, social and organizational contexts, and work with awareness to support insight, understanding, growth and change.

Mindfulness and meditation

The material on this site about mindfulness and meditation is provided to support those who need it during these challenging times.

Akasha Lonsdale-Deighton

  Wise Soul : Young Spirit

If I were a stick of rock I’d have three things stamped inside:

•    Contribution
•    Integrity
•    Communication

And it would all be wrapped around with a healthy dose of humour and wisdom.

What I offer are beautiful, bespoke ceremonies for all the major milestones of life, and anything else that feels important for you to mark or celebrate.

I also work online with a limited number of mentees in the area of personal and spiritual development. What I offer comes from a vast palette that includes a corporate background in senior human resources; almost four decades as a psychotherapist in private practice, corporate and NHS, and latterly 17 years as an independent interfaith minister and spiritual counsellor. Not forgetting of course, my own personal experience along a varied and colourful life path!

My approach is one of non-judgement and deep listening. Sessions are participative when they need to be and can include invitations to go within to explore your inner world through guided imagery. I passionately believe in the link between mind, body and spirit and have studied the ancient Indian Chakra system, as well as the key Goddesses within Greek Mythology. I always trust my inner wisdom and higher guidance as to what is needed to help you be where you want to be in your life.