About
Sometimes there is a gap between policy and lived experience; between organisational pressures and staff values; between peopleās hopes and their limiting beliefs.
In these spaces people share stories.Ā Ā Outdated myths are recognised and replaced. Wisdom is revealed. Human experience shows what data canāt: - compassion, self-awareness, and a sense of possibility create empowering environments.
TheĀ Four Five Formula (previously referred to as the BICEPS model) is a way of being that extends beyond system constraints.
I'm Glad You're Here
I'm Karrie Marshall
Iāve spent over four decades working across health, social care, adult learning and the arts, supporting people who care deeply about othersāand sometimes forget themselves.Ā
Through teaching, leadership and creative practice, Iāve been curious about what truly sustains compassion without burnout and creates empowering, humane environments.
Along the way, I discovered that grace, self-compassion and possibility-thinking are not soft options, but practical antidotes to pressure and overwhelm.
My work blends evidence-informed practice, creativity and lived experience, and has supported thousands of people to reconnect with hope, agency and meaning. At heart, I believe learning is a lifelong process. Sharing isĀ hope in action, as we grow together.Ā
The Four Five FormulaĀ©
The Four Foundations and the Fifth Dimension developed from decades of practice research, human development theory, and mindful connection ā including learning drawn from puppetry and embodied presenceĀ Ā
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Work
Karrie MarshallĀ is a published author, speaker and educator with over forty yearsā experience supporting people to live and work well. She has designed and delivered award-winning programmes across health, social care and community settings, working extensively with the NHS, voluntary organisations, people living a range of long-term conditions, community members, leaders and frontline staff.
Her work is rooted in compassion, creative possibilities and evidence-informed practice, and has been recognised nationally, including by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for tackling health inequalities and through an Outstanding Achievement award in the third sector.
Karrie is an international keynote speaker. She has a background in nursing, teaching, managing care, consultancy, adult learningĀ and the arts. Karrie founded and led Creativity In Care CIC, a socially engaged arts organisation working across dementia care, mental health and community wellbeing - where she promoted the benefits of embedding creative practice in care cultures. Independent evaluations show her programmes consistently increase hope, confidence, connection and wellbeing. She Ā attributes this to her Four Five Formula. Karrie now focuses on reaching more people through her books, online programmes and talks.
Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, lived experience and creative practice, Karrie supports people to move beyond limiting myths, build self-compassion, and live with greater authenticity, responsibility and possibility.
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Linked In
'I liked the approach, which was friendly and professional. It is exactly the combination needed in our work, so I had every confidence in the process. The story gathering process was interesting as it really did engage staff in a way I hadnāt seen before. People obviously felt able to say what mattered to them and it was reframed in a pro-active, solution-orientated way, which makes things much easier to handle.'
- Manager
Everyone in any way involved in caring for a person with dementia should use this book.
-European Journal for Person Centered HealthcareĀ
'I realised how far I have actually come. I am much more assertive, more willing to put myself first. I have rights that I doubted before. I have more compassion for people around meā¦ but more importantly I have compassion for myself. I am still learning to trust myself...Ā I feel really proud of the steps I am taking.'Ā
-Ā Participant
The project has strengthened social links and ties across the community, with participants describing building new and lasting friendships as a result of the project.
- Ecory Evaluation
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Ā "Innovative, High Quality, Thought Leader"
- Manager
Why I Do It
My current work is built on a lifelong quest to understand what supports people to feel at their bestāeven under pressureāfor the good of everyone involved in health and social care. The quest began early: a childhood promise to be of service, my granās certainty Iād be a nurse, and a deep resolve to reduce the mistreatment of vulnerable people after witnessing inhumane practice.
Over the years, I learned something both simple and uplifting: when our brains feel safe, we have more choice than we realise. What we focus on matters. When we slow down and truly listen to intuition, the next step towards wellbeing becomes clearer. When people feel good about themselves, they feel good to be around. The Four Five Formula is a way of being that restores choice, identity and possibility. It is simple to implement.
Writing helps me distil these insights. Iām no longer driven by stress or obligation, but guided by inspired choiceāand Iām glad to share what Iāve learned through my books, talks and programmes
