Book Pollie to Speak
Pollie Rafferty is a storyteller, narrative therapist, and speaker whose talks move people — to tears, to laughter, and to a different understanding of themselves and the stories that shaped them.
She speaks on women’s voices, generational and social stories, neurodivergence and identity, and the science and power of narrative change. Her talks are grounded in psychology, narrative therapy, and two decades of lived and studied expertise — and delivered with the warmth, humour, and stage presence of someone who has been telling stories her whole life.
A snipit from a short talk introducing the importance of storytelling through the ages and up to today. why we need to tell our stories to help our young people.
A very short snipet from a 40 min training session about he power os storytelling and how to use it for business and speaking
Four signature talks — each one bookable as a keynote, a shorter conference session, or a workshop extension.
All four talks can be adapted in length and depth for your event. Pollie also creates bespoke keynotes for organisations and conferences with specific themes or briefs. Get in touch to discuss.
Talk 1
Duration: 30–60 minutes | Keynote or conference session
Most of us are living inside a story we didn’t write. It was handed to us — by our families, our culture, our gender, our neurology, and the society we grew up in. This talk explores where our internal scripts come from, why they’re so hard to change, and what becomes possible when we finally recognise that the story we’ve been living in isn’t the only one available to us.
Grounded in narrative therapy, psychology, and Pollie’s own experience of overcoming anxiety that kept her trapped in her own home — and the storytelling that began her way out.
Best for: Women’s conferences, wellbeing events, personal development summits
Talk 2
Duration: 30–60 minutes | Keynote or conference session
We have been telling stories for 40,000 years. The oldest oral story still in existence is 10,000 years old. And many of the stories shaping women’s lives today — about voice, about worth, about who gets to take up space — were written in the Bronze Age. This talk traces the history of gendered storytelling, explores how social and generational narratives become internalised as personal truth, and asks what it would mean to consciously choose a different story.
Intellectually rich, historically rooted, and deeply personal. Audiences consistently describe this as ‘the talk I didn’t know I needed.’
Best for: Conferences, EDI events, women in leadership programmes, universities
Talk 3
Duration: 20–45 minutes | Keynote, conference session, or networking event talk
What does it cost — personally, professionally, and organisationally — when women don’t feel safe to speak up? This talk weaves together research on psychological safety, the neuroscience of voice and fear, and Pollie’s own journey from anxiety-induced silence to professional speaker. It is honest, warm, sometimes funny, and consistently described as the kind of talk that stays with you.
Best for: Women’s networking events, corporate conferences, wellbeing and HR events
Talk 4
Duration: 30–60 minutes | Keynote or extended workshop
An accessible introduction to narrative therapy and how deliberately rewriting our internal stories changes not just how we feel, but how we show up, what we attempt, and what we believe is possible. Practical, evidenced, and transformative. Audiences leave with tools they can use immediately and a different relationship with the stories they’ve been telling themselves.
Best for: Wellbeing conferences, therapist and practitioner events, coaching and personal development summits
“Pollie gave a business pitch at a networking meeting I run. She held the room with engaging content and positivity. Her talk was clear and she was able to get her point across. She spoke with ease and passion and left us feeling uplifted. I would happily recommend Pollie if a guest speaker was needed.”
“Pollie is a wonderfully powerful speaker. I have heard Pollie deliver a live talk and it was incredibly entertaining and filled with value. Pollie is one of those special speakers who has a huge heart and a tonne of knowledge that will benefit any audience she speaks in front of. If you are someone looking to book a speaker, coach or trainer, Pollie is the person for you.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Pollie Rafferty speak on numerous occasions, and each time she delivers an exceptional experience. What truly sets Pollie apart is her storytelling ability — she doesn’t just tell a story, she brings you into it. Her descriptive language is so vivid that you feel as though you’re right there with her. She takes you on an emotional journey, moving you from tears to laughter to moments of self-reflection. Without hesitation, I would absolutely recommend Pollie as a speaker for any event. She is not only highly bookable, but truly unforgettable.”
“Attending Pollie’s talk was an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Pollie has a magnetic quality as a speaker — you find yourself leaning in, curious about what comes next. It was clear that Pollie speaks from real experience and expertise. This was the kind of talk you think about after you leave the room.”
Pollie is currently an entrant for Best Newcome at the Speakers Awards 2026.
Pollie Rafferty has been telling stories professionally since 2005. She discovered the power of storytelling on her own way out of anxiety that had kept her trapped in her own home — and has spent the two decades since studying, practising, and teaching it.
She holds a Distinction in Narrative Therapy, a Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology, and brings over ten years of youth work and secondary education experience to her understanding of how stories shape people from the inside out.
She is AuDHD, a mother of neurodivergent children, and a woman who has experienced firsthand what it costs to be the most qualified person in the room and still not be heard. She brings all of this to the stage — with warmth, honesty, and a storyteller’s instinct for exactly the right moment.
Everything you need to know
Keynote (45–60 mins): from £750
Conference session (20–30 mins): from £450
Women’s networking talk (20–30 mins): from £300
Bespoke keynote with pre-event consultation: from £1,200
A professionally prepared talk tailored to your event theme and audience
Speaker bio and headshot for event promotion
Talk title and description for your programme
Pre-event call to ensure perfect fit
Availability for a brief Q&A or meet-and-greet where appropriate
Delivery options
In person — Pollie is based in Seaford, East Sussex and travels across the UK
Online via Zoom or equivalent for virtual and hybrid events
Travel and accommodation costs for in-person events outside the South East are charged at cost
Topics covered
Women’s voice and confidence
Social and generational storytelling
Neurodivergence and identity
Narrative therapy and internal script change
Psychological safety and retention (corporate)
Personal story: overcoming anxiety and finding voice
The best starting point is a short call to make sure Pollie is the right fit for your event and audience. She’ll ask about your theme, your audience, and what you want people to leave feeling. If it’s a good match, she’ll confirm availability and send across everything you need. [Book a speaking enquiry call] Or email pollie@changethescript.org with your event date, location, and a brief description of your audience. She aims to respond within 48 hours.