Sue Oatley (formerly Knight) is a skilled facilitator with a rich background in mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) and Prosocial methods. She has spent many years working with community groups and university teams, creating spaces where people can connect, collaborate and grow together. Sue is the founder of The Aftershock Project, a deeply personal initiative that explores the emotional and practical aftershocks of service, silence and resilience within families and communities.
Sue’s work is shaped by her own story. She grew up as the daughter of a decorated British Army bomb disposal expert who served in Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles. Her father’s courage, commitment and quiet responsibility left a profound imprint on her. Over time, Sue learned to meet her own struggles with awareness and compassion. Through this process she came to understand her dad and his generation with greater tenderness. The Aftershock Project grew from this journey of learning, healing and making sense of love expressed through duty, protection and sometimes distance. It is a space rooted in seeing clearly, listening deeply and exploring how service ripples through families, not to find fault but to foster greater understanding and compassion.
In her workshops Sue brings that same gentleness and clarity. She uses simple but powerful tools, including the ACT Matrix and the Prosocial Matrix, to help individuals and teams pause, reflect and explore new ways of working side by side. Her approach supports meaningful conversations, stronger relationships and purposeful action, always delivered with empathy and steadiness.
Sue has become a valued part of the Lark community. At Startup Sunday she introduced attendees to the Prosocial Matrix, showing how it can strengthen collaboration, create shared purpose and help groups work through challenges with resilience. Her session offered women practical ways to stay connected to what truly matters, both in their businesses and in their wider lives.
Sue brings depth, insight and a genuine commitment to compassionate community practice, and we are proud to have her as part of The Lark Network.
Connect with Sue and learn more about The Aftershock Project using the links below.