I’m Antonia, though most people know me as Kooks, a nickname from my Ghanaian name, Kukua, which has stuck with me since childhood.

I was born in Yorkshire to an English mother and a Ghanaian father. I’ve travelled to 42 countries and lived as an expat in Singapore and Australia.

Now, Norwich is home, where I live with my husband and two children.

My path here was an adventurous one!

After eight years in London I craved a change of pace so I set off on a three-month backpacking trip (with only a rucksack) through Central America and French Polynesia, eventually landing in Melbourne to visit my sister, where I ended up staying for six years. Melbourne became home; it’s where I met my husband (who is from Norwich) and where we started our family.

At the tail-end of the pandemic we started thinking about life beyond Australia. I’d only spent a week in Norwich before we moved, but something about it felt right. It had that Melbourne energy i.e. great coffee, a love for independent shops, and the added bonus of being close to the coast.

It felt like a place where we could all settle.

I’m the Director and Coach at Coaching With Kooks.

I work with individuals to navigate major career decisions and life moments and support businesses to create great employee experiences from onboarding, career development and offboarding.

I believe that when people are in the right roles and businesses invest in their teams, both individuals and the wider community benefit.

That’s why coaching isn’t just my profession- it’s my way of contributing to a thriving Norwich.

A place where people feel fulfilled in their work and businesses build strong, engaged teams that drive long-term success.

There’s a genuine spirit of collaboration here, and the business community is inviting, supportive, and refreshingly laid back.

There are lots of great networking events including the Norfolk Network and I’ve heard great things about Jarrolds Business Club too. I also go along to Future of Women in Business events hosted by Rebecca Campbell.

Norwich is a city full of ambition, innovation, and independent spirit.

The community spirit in Norwich is one of the things that’s made this city feel like home so quickly. When we arrived, I didn’t know a soul apart from my husband, but I was amazed at how welcoming and open people were.

There’s a relaxed, friendly energy here and people genuinely want to connect, support each other, and help newcomers find their feet.

Norwich feels a bit like a best-kept secret, and the relationships you build here are lasting.

Norwich Top Picks

I love how much independent businesses are supported and thrive here, from the food stalls in the market to the independent boutiques.

The food scene is fantastic too! Yalm is my regular spot, Kofra for coffee, Benoli is great for a special celebration, and Hawthorn is my go-to for a cocktail.

When it comes to exercise, I’m a regular at HotPod Yoga, and I enjoy the bachata classes at Norwich Latin Dance. Norwich also hosts its own yoga festival, where I had the opportunity to speak last year on improving your mindset.

It’s easy to get around Norwich on foot—crossing the city takes under 20 minutes. Plus, with the beautiful green space here including Eaton Park and Plantation Gardens, I’m grateful to be able to use these spaces for my walking coaching sessions!

What I treasure most is Norwich’s celebration of individuality.

People here embrace their difference, creativity, and unique styles, and that resonates so deeply with my work as a coach.

Whether it’s through independent businesses, creative expression, or personal style, there’s a beautiful genuineness to Norwich and I encourage my clients to bring the same authenticity into their own lives and careers.

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Antonia Kooks Bartels

After traveling the world and living in seven different cities across three continents, accredited coach Antonia “Kooks” Bartels finally found her place in Norwich. She now supports people through major career transitions and has found real value in the city’s warm and welcoming professional networks. Curious what drew her in? Read Antonia "Kooks" blog to see why her global journey led straight to Norwich’s doorstep