About CRISIS REACTION
A principled approach to crisis management.
I’m Dr Nicola Lester, a mental health nurse with over two decades of experience in crisis response for organisations in the UK and internationally.
Between 2012 and 2014, I supported military units with personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the immediate aftermath of a death, I directly supported bereaved families and guided the unit’s response up to and including, the coroner’s inquest. Several of these were multiple fatality incidents.
These experiences led to my PhD studies, where I focused on the impact of organisational response on bereaved families, making recommendations for policy, process and practice.
Since then, I have worked with organisations from multiple sectors, guiding their response to incidents including terrorism, gender-based violence, hostage-taking, road traffic collisions, aviation disasters, training accidents and deaths in the line of duty.
our approach
We are committed to an approach to crisis response which is:
Ethical
Our crisis response prioritises action with integrity and doing what is right. We support you to meet your duty of care through meaningful engagement and accountable practice.
Respectful
We know that behind each organisation is a group of individuals who are also affected when someone is harmed. Our approach encompasses the individuals affected, the relationships at stake and the organisation’s policies and procedures to account for the needs of everyone involved.
Knowledgeable
Our approach is evidence-based. As a mental health nurse with expertise in psychological trauma and a PhD in organisational response to crises, everything I do is grounded in research and applied experience.
Actionable
We recognise the confusion and overwhelm than often accompanies crisis situations. Our support is practical and actionable, bringing clarity and structure to your response.
HOW IT WORKS
Our approach is for organisations that know credibility is earned through action and reputation is built by what you do when the stakes are highest.
Whether you are responding to an immediate crisis or navigating an ongoing situation, our first steps provide clear, structured guidance for your response.
get in touch
Book a call or send an email outlining the situation and the support you need. I will respond within 24 hours. If the matter is urgent, please indicate this and I will arrange to speak with you within 12 hours.
initial call
On our first call, I will ask you some questions to understand what has happened, who has been impacted and what your immediate priorities are.
receive recommendations
Following our discussion, I will provide tailored recommendations for how we can work together, including immediate actions and longer-term considerations.
During an exceptionally challenging and high-pressure inquest, I watched Nicola consistently centre ethical considerations in every critical decision.
fatal training accident
please note
Given the sensitive nature of the work you trust us to do, everything you share is held in the strictest of confidence. Read privacy policy.
As a registered mental health nurse, I adhere to the ethical framework for practice set out by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code and Standards. Read Code of Practice.
Additional testimonials available on request.
we know
In the aftermath of a crisis, inaction or the wrong action can intensify harm. Our approach to crisis management combines people-focused practice with clear action.