Starting Greenwell MEC: Where Reflection Meets Practice
Hallo and welcome to the very first Greenwell MEC blog post. I figured it makes sense to start with a bit of an “origin story” - where this all came from, why I decided to put it together, and what I’m hoping it’ll grow into.
Where it all began
Greenwell MEC actually started out pretty simply. I’d been on a bit of a roll creating resources - courses, workbooks, guidebooks, reflection templates, you name it. They were all dotted around under different names, formats, and looks. After a while I thought: hang on, these need to feel like they come from the same place.
That’s when the idea of a proper identity and brand started. Something unified. Something that reflected what I’m about and what I want to share with learners. And so Greenwell MEC was born - not with a big launch or fireworks, just me at my desk one day, playing around with names and logos and going, yep, this feels right.
A bit about me
So who’s behind this? Well, I’m a paramedic by background, and I’ve always had one foot in practice and the other in education. Over the years I’ve taught on FREC and other accredited courses, worked in NHS education roles, and lectured on paramedic and nursing degree programmes.
That balance - frontline shifts and classroom sessions - has been the best mix. Every time I’ve worked a shift, I’ve taken something back into teaching. Every time I’ve taught, it’s made me think differently about how I approach patients. It’s given me a real sense of what helps learners grow: reflection, awareness, and building evidence into day-to-day practice.
And outside of work? I’m a bit of a speciality coffee nerd (expect the odd coffee-related post here and there) and I’m often found in the garden digging, planting, and generally trying to keep things alive . Those things might seem separate, but honestly they tie in: patience, process, reflection, and enjoying the little wins - all things that carry into education and healthcare too.
Growing Greenwell
There wasn’t one dramatic “lightbulb” moment. It’s always been bubbling away in the background - the idea of building something of my own that could bring together resources and support in one place.
Once I had the name and logo sorted, it all started to fall into place. I applied them to the work I was already creating, shaped them into something cohesive, and Greenwell just started to grow. It’s been organic, and I like that - it means it’s developing naturally into what it’s meant to be.
What we’re about
Greenwell MEC isn’t just about courses or guidebooks. For me, it’s about clinical excellence and competence through reflective, evidence-based practice.
Everything we do is centred on the learner. Whether you’re sitting in a classroom, flipping through a guidebook, or reflecting after a shift, the aim is to make things clear, practical, and meaningful. No tick-box learning. No “just get through the assessment.” It’s about building confidence and competence that actually stick.
The aim
Our aim is simple: to help clinicians exceed their potential with clarity, confidence, and competence.
If something I’ve made helps you feel a little more confident walking into a shift, a little clearer when you sit down to study, or a little more reflective about your practice - then the guide, the course, or even just this blog post has done its job.
What you’ll find here
This blog isn’t going to be a weekly, regimented thing - but I’ll be using it to share:
Updates on Greenwell MEC courses, guides, and resources
Thoughts on clinical practice and education
Reflection and CPD tips you can actually use
Study and wellbeing ideas for balancing busy lives
And, every now and then, probably some coffee or gardening posts (because let’s be honest, they’re too big a part of my world not to sneak in).
Wrapping up
So that’s where Greenwell MEC has come from and where it’s heading. It’s a mix of education, reflection, resources, and real-world experience, with a bit of personality thrown in.
Thanks for being here at the start. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this grows, and hopefully it’ll be something that genuinely helps you on your own journey too.
You’ve got this - and we’ve got you.
- Harry
