My working life has taken a number of turns to reach where I am now.  I first earned a very modest income as a spinner and weaver, but once my marriage broke down I couldn’t support myself financially and I trained to be a social worker.  There followed several years of social work, until I had the courage to apply to go to Music College, something I had always wanted to do.  The oboe, piano and singing were my instruments and I was very proud to gain my degree.  

Working as a professional oboist came as a big shock .  The pressure to be good enough was intense and I became very disillusioned.  In the meantime I had done some extra training as a psychotherapist and began to work in this field.  In 2000 the most exciting thing that happened for me was going on a week’s course with Frankie Armstrong entitled ‘Find your Voice’.

The impact of Frankie’s approach was enormous and none of my previous training experiences had ever touched me so deeply.  For the first time I was not judged and every sound I made was ‘good enough’.  I found my own very special voice and with it I was able to express many emotions that had been hitherto suppressed.

Well, I thought, if this has had such an effect on me, how can I use it to help others?  And so started my route into voice work and singing groups.

I am constantly finding new ways to challenge myself and I was lucky enough to be teaching, with almost no notice, at Skyros last September.  Here I was really able to use all my skills, both personal and professional, through the week I was there.  I loved it, and I'm thrilled to say that I shall be back there this September!

My two favourite boys!

My family is hugely important to me, and I am lucky enough to have a very big one.  I am one of 6 children and have 23 first cousins and we are all the very best of friends!  

I am married to a lovely man, Nick Catchpole who supports me and my work, and keeps my feet on the ground when I need it!  If you need a golf lesson he’s the man for you.  

I try to follow a Buddhist path, primarily one of mindfulness.  When I am not working I can be found swimming in the north sea, playing tennis, walking with my dog, cooking lovely food, or meeting up with one or other of my several very good friends.

I Can't Paint

This was a belief that I held until about 11 years ago.  I was given the opportunity to explode this myth and I have been lucky enough to exhibit and sell my work several times.  Going through this process reinforced my understanding about how self belief can be so powerful.  The thing that stops us doing what we want to do is simply fear, and once we overcome that, we can do anything.  

Through all my work I try my hardest to ‘walk my talk’ and I believe that this is one of the main reasons why what I do is  so powerful. 
 

My first painting

A Love Meditation

from Thich Nhat Hanh

"May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.

May I be safe and free from injury.

May I be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.

May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and love.

May I be able to recognise and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.

May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving and delusion in myself.

May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.

May I be able to live fresh, solid and free.

May I be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent."


Thay teaches that until we can love ourselves, we cannot love others, and that by loving ourselves we then become free to truly love others.