Hi, I'm Maddy
Full disclosure - I'm not a wellness expert.
I'm someone who loves exploring places, discovering their stories and sharing what makes them special.
With over two decades of experience across hospitality, PR, marketing and placemaking - from launching luxury hotels to building community-led projects - my work has centred around creating spaces where people feel welcome, comfortable and able to be themselves.
I’m also an introvert who has often felt the pressure to be more confident, outgoing and comfortable being seen. I work in an industry that rewards being busy, visible and connected, but in recent years, I’ve realised the importance of slowing down, recharging and coming back to myself.
Building connection through place
For the last ten years, I’ve run East Croydon Cool - a platform that brings local people together through stories and experiences.
What started as a way to celebrate my neighbourhood grew into something bigger: helping long-time residents and newer arrivals feel a shared sense of belonging.
Through a wide range of gatherings (including seasonal parties, literary nights, film clubs and anti-networking events), I’ve seen what happens when you create the right environment for people to show up as themselves.
But while I was busy creating space for other people, I realised I needed some for myself too...
So, I "switched off" (for a bit)
In 2022, I decided I needed some space - to think, slow down and step away from it all.
Maybe it was a pre-birthday crisis (?!) but it turned out to be a very good one. I turned off my phone and spent 45 days walking the Camino de Santiago.
Somewhere between the blisters and the tortillas, I rediscovered the power of silence and simplicity.
But when I returned home, I found myself pulled back into the same busy world I had left behind - and realised how hard it was to recreate those feelings of calm and clarity in everyday life.
Creating The Switch Off
The Switch Off grew from that realisation
After years of bringing people together to connect with each other, I became interested in creating space to reconnect with ourselves.
It brings together everything I've learnt - from the importance of atmosphere and thoughtful details to the subtle ways a space and activity can influence how people feel.
It isn't about becoming a perfect screen-free person (I'm definitely not one - I still spend far more time on my phone than I'd like!).
It's simply about creating regular moments to step away from the noise, slow down and recharge.
Because I believe we all need moments where nothing is expected of us.
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