School Testimonials

Jeremy is open, engaging, warm and witty. I booked Jeremy to speak to deliver his ‘Keeping Sane in an Insane World’ talk for the second time to our secondary pupils and staff. He was a hit both times as the students appreciated his candid style, humour and insight and all felt a personal connection with him as he told his story. They trusted his point of view and found the talk all the more poignant in lockdown. Both staff and students fed back to say they found it inspiring and ‘very important to hear’ (Year 10 student). Occasionally pupils can find advice patronising but this was not the case at all with Jeremy. They held onto his messages and are using the strategies and toolkits readily. Will definitely be bringing Jeremy back to speak again.

Fiona Parsons , King Alfred's School Assistant Head (Personal Development & Wellbeing) Head of PSHE February 2021

‘Jeremy spoke with engagement about keeping mentally well- his own life story made his talks impactful. Jeremy spoke to a variety of age groups in school and pitched the content just right- all of our students found the talk useful and it complemented our Wellbeing Week perfectly. Parents, staff and students all left his talks armed with a mental health toolkit and a set of tent pegs to apply to their daily lives, which everyone felt was needed to help get through lockdown.’

Wendy Fox, Deputy Head, Head of Classics Brighton Girls GDST February 2021

An inspirational speaker who connected with and engaged his audience from start to finish. The message of hope from a place of mental despair shone through and Jeremy told his story with refreshing honesty and humour. The students were incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to hear the message and see mental health as something we need to care for and look after in the same way we recognise physical injuries.

Mr Michael Lambert -Head of Geography, Ratcliffe College

We were delighted that Jeremy could speak for us. He was very popular with our delegates, in fact we overheard one delegate describing his talk as the best she has seen in 4 years!

Tessa Newton, Independent Schools' Bursars Association

Jeremy was truly an inspirational speaker to attend school today. From the outset, his wit and informal approach had the boys ‘on-side’ and utterly enthralled at his talk. Here was someone who has the experience and erudition to speak to the pupils and yet never preach, a rare quality in a speaker. His talks were incredibly well received, interlaced with practical and heartfelt tips, generating discussion amongst the students for the remainder of the day. The dominant theme was ‘why cannot more speakers be like Mr Thomas?’ Quite – he is a rare type of speaker and his message is poignant and vital for all ages from Year 7-13. We were incredibly grateful for his presence in school: professional, humorous and delivering a powerful message. Cannot recommend him highly enough. Many thanks!

Lloyd Charman, The Haberdashers’ Aske's Boys' School Elstree

Witty, poignant, deeply personal yet sound and practical, Jeremy’s approach is to bring the subject of mental health into the open, not to hide it away and hope it disappears. Reflecting on his own experiences, he engages his audience before outlining a clear, clean and user-friendly ‘dashboard’ for good mental health. Without simplifying a complex issue, he presents in such a way as to ensure that all participants can reflect on their own mental health without fear of judgement or stigma. Moreover, he reminds us that the glass is always half full!

MR TOM ARRAND MA, DEPUTY HEAD, HABERDASHERS’ MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Jeremy’s visit to BGS has been a great success. He is a compelling speaker with considerable experience and wisdom drawn from his professional and personal life…he shared his own story with parents and pupils and gave advice on practical measures to combat poor mental health and deal with depression, anxiety and stress. The feedback has been excellent.

Jane Chapman, Assistant Head (Pastoral), Bradford Grammar School

Jeremy’s talk was extremely engaging, informative and funny; especially dealing with such a serious subject matter. He was able to draw from his personal struggles to provide an uplifting talk to our Year 13 students, who not only thoroughly enjoyed it but got so much out of the experience. He discussed key topics for young adults such as stress, the importance of resilience, self-esteem and routine, which supported their understanding of mental health and well-being.

Fiona Templeton, Assistant Principal, Harris Westminster Sixth Form

How to Stay Sane in an Insane World was the highlight of the Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form assembly programme last year. Jeremy Thomas’s story telling resonated with the teenage audience and opened up challenging issues for discussion in an honest and engaging fashion.

Dr Stuart Bond, Deputy Head St Catherine's School Athens,

This is a raw and emotional look at Mental Health issues and the huge impact they can have on people’s lives. Jeremy delivered training to our entire staffing body at UTC Reading equipping colleagues with a toolkit of strategies to help in support those in our charge who are struggling with issues ranging from anxiety and high stress levels to bipolar disorder

Daniel Sydes, Deputy Head UTC Reading,

Jeremy Thomas’ talk was fantastic. He was wonderfully engaging, disarmingly honest, and full of very sound and practical advice. Whilst he deals with a desperately serious subject, his sense of humour is evident throughout. In talking to our pupils it is clear that they thoroughly enjoyed what Jeremy had to say and derived considerable and genuine benefit from it.

Andrew Hobbs, Deputy Headmaster of Downside School,

Thank you for coming to talk at Brighton and Hove High School. The girls all thought it was a really engaging talk and came out inspired and enthused by what you said.

Wendy Fox, Deputy Head,

On behalf of St Joseph's College, I would like to thank you once again for coming to the College to share your expertise and experience on "Good Mental Health". Your thought provoking and informative talk has educated and inspired both our staff and pupils; you have been the talk of the school! I am in process of rewriting our Scheme of work on PSHE, and Mental Health and Wellbeing will feature more prominent in all year groups from September. I look forward to welcoming you again to St Joseph's in the not too distant future.

Mr Mark Bushby, Deputy Head Pastoral at St Joseph's College, Voted the number 1 school in IES

The girls were all talking about how inspiring they found Jeremy and how much the fact that it was his own story made it so interesting.

Mrs Hannah Harvey, Head of Years 12 & 13 - Sutton High School

Very entertaining and informative. It is useful to hear advice from someone who has been through the experience...A reminder to try to pace myself and say 'No'.

Manor Lodge Staff,

Jeremy came to Oundle to talk to a year 11 group about good mental health and the response was extremely positive. The pupils appreciated his honest and forthright delivery and clearly recognised some of the signs of stress that he was able to identify from his own experience. Teenagers often find it difficult to relate to anyone giving advice, but Jeremy’s approach provided an excellent platform to develop further valuable discussions on ways in which young people can ensure that they are better prepared for the stresses and strains of their formative years. An invaluable addition to any PSHE programme

Marianne Smith, Housemistress and Head of PSHE

Thank you so much for coming down to visit us last night, you were a great speaker on a very tricky topic ( one that needs to be addressed with many teenagers now) and you gave the girls much to think about in such a humorous way. The feedback from the girls to the house staff upon their return was very positive and I know they appreciated your 'dashboard help desk' idea.

Susan Bosher, Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Benenden School

Thank you so much for your time and inspirational talk yesterday. Having spoken to both staff and students I know how much they have gained from the time they spent with you. They all commented on how engaging and thought-provoking you were but, crucially, how practical your suggestions were. I think your personal insight enhanced their grasp of the subject matter and will stay with them for a very long time.

Mr. Keith Hales, Headteacher - Beaminster School, Dorset,

Jeremy Thomas came to speak during our Mental Health Week at school. He spoke to our 4th form students who study various Mental Health Issues. Jeremy was a very engaging, funny and informative speaker who captured our pupils attention with his life stories and real life issues through his Manic depression. The pupils found him to be a great speaker and were interested in how it affected his career and personal life. Jeremy was very good at pitching his talk at the right level so that the pupils got the most out of his presentation. He also concluded our MHW in our chapel and addressed the whole school about what he thought was important in life and that self-esteem is crucial to ensure people can deal with any issue that they are faced with. We will definitely book him again next year. Thank you.

Mrs Sue Bruce, Head of PSE, Fettes College

Thank you so much for coming to speak to our L6th on Monday, the feedback was as before, excellent, and we hope you will be able to come and speak to them again next year?

Meg Fitzgerald, Reeds School

It’s always SUCH a pleasure to have you talk to the .... and I know your words will really have a positive effect with the students!

Aylin Hutchins, PSHE - Bristol Grammar School

Thanks for a great talk this morning: really positive feedback from staff and girls. Really good to get them laughing when dealing with a heavy topic.

Katie Banks, Sixth Form Administrator - Guilford High

I was utterly drawn in to Jeremy’s refreshingly open talk about his own experiences of good and bad mental health. Far too many of us have been conditioned to only seeing this subject as taboo or something that needs to be hidden. Jeremy engages his audience, his delivery of story-telling generating many a heart warming laugh-out-loud moment, the light humour carefully balancing the seriousness of the darker shade of being mentally unwell. His appeal will be across the board. Solutions provider and comfort to the child, adolescent or adult struggling to understand or find a way out of the dark places that only those who have been there will know. To the parents, family, friends or even a boss struggling to understand their role, when to get involved, when to get others involved, and to the remaining community, who may at some time be staring or have stared mental health in the face, Jeremy will show them that it is not to be feared, it is okay and will be okay. The most compelling thing of all is that he is a living testament to all this.

Stacey Lambert, Vice President Human Resources – Pearson PLC (and Parent)

Many thanks indeed for your kind email. The girls certainly did enjoy it – not that they would tell me, necessarily! – but feedback and comments from staff indicate that they found it humorous, enjoyable, and beneficial.

Claire Gibson Oxley, Tormead School

It was lovely to meet you and hear your talk. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit here and the students have all been really positive about your talk. Interestingly we have had a few students come to us quietly saying they would like to talk to someone. So I think a really positive contribution you have done for our Students. I will be recommending you to others and I will be booking you again.

Lara Price, New Hall School

Thank you so much for coming in yesterday. I’ve already had some very positive feedback from the students about your talk and from my point of view, I felt it was exactly what they needed. Thank you again for delivering such an informative, personal and inspirational talk, it really will have changed their view of mental health (for the better!).

Mary Nicholl, Alleyn's School, Dulwich

Mark and I would like to say a huge thank you to you for your brilliant talk yesterday… you made bipolar so much more acceptable and this is really working to lessen the stigma of mental illness.

Rachel Waller, CWMT

Thank you so much for all the work you put in to getting to know our sector and for joining us for the evening and entire event. Your presentation was terrific and contributed massively to making it an event that attendees really enjoyed.

Fiona Kerr, Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Thank you for coming down and sharing your story and experiences with the pupils. It’s a really important topic and, as you say and we both know, one that a lot of them are going to have to deal with in one shape or another now or in the future. I thought the messages were really positive and the kids were engaged, even if they don’t give much away at 16! Really enjoyed meeting you and hope to see you again next year.

Julie Potter, Berkhamsted School

Thanks for this and thank you again for the excellent talk. The students tell me they thoroughly enjoyed it. We’ll keep this email address on file so that we can deal with you directly!

Robin Gladwyn, Head of Community Service - Kingston Grammar School

Everyone really enjoyed your talk, I certainly, among others found it useful and informative. It makes such a difference to have someone else who can look at the humorous side of the condition come and talk to us. I have even had a few members ask me about your books and where they can buy them from! Thank you very much for coming to speak to us, I have now totalled the amount we have raised and its over £600! I would not have been able to reach that high a target without Liz and yourself's help. Myself and the group are extremely grateful for all the support we received from you both, its such a relief to know that our doors can stay open to the local community. Thank you very much again, and do stay in contact, I am very much looking forward to the release of The Santa Monica Suicide Club!!!

Caitlin O'Kane, Office Manager - Kingston Bipolar Group