MAG Foundation

The MAG Foundation is a legacy from my late Dad,
Michael A. Glenister, 11.07.1935 – 29.4.2023.

During his 88-year life Michael contributed hugely to the lives of others through his parenting, work and in his community.

He became a single parent to my brother and me in our junior school years.

In his early days he worked in hospitality and retail, serving others and helping younger team members develop their skills of the trade.

Later Michael joined the wholesale food trade as an importer of spice, cereal and grains. He served his customers until his early 80s.

He developed the character traits of service, loyalty and respect. In his community Michael was part of the local school on the parent teacher committee and later as a school governor.

He enjoyed sailing from a young age and a familiar face at his sailing club.

He set up and ran a tennis club evening for 25 years as well as being the club treasurer.

Michael volunteered in the local woodland trust and visited those in the community who wanted company, always with a gift in his hand.

Michael was a proud Grandfather of 5 and loved listening to the adventures of his grandchildren.

He enjoyed listening to and helping others, and supporting education initiatives wherever he could.

Michael’s lifelong commitment to service, community, and supporting others inspired the creation of the MAG Foundation to continue his legacy of kindness, generosity, and dedication to helping people thrive.

Guided by Purpose, Driven by Legacy

The purpose of the MAG Foundation is to enhance the lives of others through listening and leadership skill development, education opportunities and scholarships.

Together with my brother, Gordon, we set out the guiding principles for the MAG Foundation honouring Dad’s wishes as follows:

To-deliver-relevant-listening-skills-and-Time-to-Think-courses-for-individuals-with-less-financial-accessibility-1

To-advance-the-awareness-and-impact-of-listening-skills-in-the-world-1

To-support-the-education-of-young-people-via-scholarships-and-sponsorships

To-create-tangible-stories-of-success-that-can-be-shared-in-the-world

To support the education of young people through scholarships and sponsorships

To create tangible stories of success that can be shared around the world

To advance the awareness and impact of listening skills in the world

To deliver relevant listening skills and Time To Think courses for individuals with less financial accessibility

To contribute to and enhance the lives of families less fortunate than us via practical skill building

Stories that inspire change

To learn of the impact of the MAG Foundation, please see our stories below as they are created, touching the hearts and lives of others..

Namgyal High School in Kathmandu, Nepal

The MAG Foundation enabled Jane to share her skills and experience of listening with the students and teachers of Namgyal High School, a Tibetan Refugee School in Kathmandu, Nepal. The students (aged 15-20 years) embraced the learning wholeheartedly were engaged and discovered the impact of listening in their life at school.

Listening with empathy to their friends and family and learning the impact of interruption, appreciation and asking open questions to learn more with factual listening. When practising generative listening they described the feelings of greater confidence, comfort, interest, empathy, happiness, appreciation, motivation and feeling respected.

"Hearty Welcome Mam Jane all the way from UK to Namgyal High. A beautiful lady exuding all the amazing virtues- warm grace, elegance, soft spoken, humble, passionate active Listening skills coach and facilitator – Enjoyed listening and attending to her session. We are all delighted to have her in the school. She also took two sessions for our Class XII students today. Cultivating listening skills can enhance our personal relations with other people around us, become effective leader and improve ones’ career and standing in community.”

Mr. Norbu Tsering

Principal

“Thank you so much for the valuable service rendered for our students and staff members. Sure, the seeds you have sown in our mind and hearts will bring fruitful results. My students love to see their pictures and remember you.”

Mr. Tsering Palden

School Headmaster

Namgyal Middle School in Kathmandu, Nepal

In addition, Jane visited Namgyal Middle School (students aged 5-15) and spent a day with students in classes 7 and 8, together with teachers from all classes.

The students welcomed the learning experience and enjoyed our interactions.

The time spent together was enriching for all, and Jane’s hope of sowing the seeds of listening will continue to be watered by the teachers who also joined a longer session, discovering more about the skills and impact of listening to generate the finest thinking in others.

“It’s was a pleasure and privilege to interact with you. You are such an amazing and inspiring woman . I will always cherish the moment we spent together in school . Today , I asked to my children about the listening coach and their feedback was just incredible and appreciating the way you conducted the workshop . They have learnt like keeping eye contact positively and softly while conversation . The teachers were saying that they didn’t even realize the time spent along you . It flew so fast . The content is just enriching and knowing ourselves so that we could improve ourselves in listening and other qualities which is needed to be perfect human like appreciating each other, leaving ego, not to be judgmental etc. Lastly I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your family for the contribution you have been providing in Tibetan society for many years. Take Care.”

Mrs. Dorjey Choedon

Headmistress

Namgyal Higher Secondary School

We recently donated to the Tibetan School in Katmandu.

“On behalf of Namgyal Secondary School, I extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and generosity. Your previous contribution played a pivotal role in the renovation of the girls’ hostel, creating a more comfortable and homely environment for our students. We are truly humbled that, once again, you have stepped forward in our time of urgent need and done so willingly. Your readiness to support in procuring much needed fans for our hostel is greatly appreciated by all hostel inmates. Your compassion is most heartwarming and inspiring.”

Mr. Norbu Tsering

Principal

Bursaries

With the MAG Foundation I am able offer a small number of bursary places on my Time to Think courses each year.

They are for individuals and organisations with a genuine interest in the art and skill of listening, and in what it can do for leadership and coaching. If you want the people you lead or work with to know they matter, to think well for themselves, and to draw on their own resourcefulness, this is for you.

Bursaries are available across all my Time to Think courses, and everyone is welcome to apply.

See what bursary recipients had to say about their experience.

How to apply

Email me via the contact page. Tell me which course you would like to attend, and why a bursary place would make the difference for you.

Bursary places are for those facing genuine funding challenges, and are offered following a successful and considered application.

Tribeni

Having had a glimpse of Time to Think during my Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, I was very keen to dive deeper into Thinking Partnership. However, I was in a dilemma on pursuing it as I had recently embarked on an entrepreneurial journey.

When, in conversation with Jane about the Thinking Partnership course, the possibility of a bursary emerged, I was delighted and very grateful for the opportunity.

Having now completed the training, which was brilliantly conducted by Jane, my gratitude is immense, both for the experience itself and for actually getting to attend it because of the scholarship. This support will never be forgotten.

This course is valuable from every aspect of life. It shows you the value of listening sincerely, and how you can help someone explore the power of their own thinking, and give them the space to think for themselves, which is so powerful.

Time to think is so scarce that you can see, from undergoing this training, how transformative it can be in your relationships with others. It is a great art, relevant in your personal and professional life.

Shaheen

I wanted to offer my thanks and gratitude for your support, both professional and financial. I feel thoroughly supported on my journey, and have met wonderful like-minded individuals, all committed to making a real difference.

I don’t think I have come across anyone who embodies the art of listening with the unconditional regard you have for everyone.

It’s heart-warming and affirming to be part of that.

Briony

What a wonderful programme, and four days with wonderful women, for the Time to Think Coach training.

The ripples from February are continuing into the week and into every conversation. It’s quite incredible. Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and for sharing your experience and wisdom.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn with you, and for the generosity of the bursary. I am truly grateful.

Cecilie

Getting the opportunity to take part in the Thinking Partnership Retreat with Jane was an experience that truly left a mark on me. Jane created a safe and inspiring space for learning, full of positive energy and real opportunities for personal growth. I discovered the true power of listening, and how it can open up amazing possibilities for our own thinking and reflection.

Having experienced the impact this has within a group of people meeting for the first time, I can only imagine the incredible effect it could have in the workplace, among colleagues. This is something I carry with me every day, in my family, with my colleagues, and in the organisations we work with.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Anna

I would just love to say thank you for making the Thinking Partnership retreat such a truly unique experience for us.

We all felt very lucky to have been given the opportunity to join you in your really beautiful home, and to receive the training in the intimate and safe place you invited us into.

Going for the re-energising walks in the afternoon is a genius thing to do, by the way, and it was lovely to see some of the gorgeous countryside that surrounds your home.

I’m very excited about the Thinking Partnership, and am really looking forward to working with the ten components in our school.