Hello, I’m Annie
and it’s great that you’ve found me!
“What we know matters,
But who we are matters more”
~Brené Brown
I love this quote by Brené Brown.
And in many ways, it’s the perfect way for me to introduce myself . . . along with the work that I share.
So, let’s take a look, with a few little ‘snippits’ about me!
I worked within the NHS for nearly 30 years!
Firstly as a Nurse where I specialised in A&E and Palliative Care . . . before training as a Midwife which is where I remained for the last 12 years of my NHS service.
Thinking back, wherever I worked, I was always supporting people through times of change.
Whether this was with couples becoming parents, patients being given a life changing diagnosis . . . or with families devastated by a sudden and traumatic loss.
I ran my own Complementary Therapy Clinics . . .
I’ve always been interested in complementary therapies and my departure from the NHS created the perfect opportunity to follow what ‘called me’ and I began learning a whole range of alternative medicine modalities.
Beginning with The Bowen Technique, soon followed by Reiki and Crystal Therapies, EFT, Energy Medicine or Shamanic Practitioner Training, Life Coaching and NLP.
A beautiful synergy of ‘both forms of medicine’ occurred when I was employed to share Energy Medicine Techniques with patients within an NHS Breast Cancer Clinic.
I really pay attention to the details . . .
My working background has taught me many things . . . perhaps, most importantly, that ‘getting things right’ is super important.
And this is something that has stood me in good stead both in my work as a Celebrant and in my role supporting women as they prepare for birth and motherhood. There isn’t the opportunity for a ‘second go’ . . . and, therefore, there’s no room for error.
I am ‘purely’ a Funeral Celebrant . . .
It was after I had written and delivered my Mum’s funeral service that I decided to train as a Funeral Celebrant. It felt absolutely ‘right’ to be able to offer families my support, experience and passion to create a fitting and memorable ceremony for their loved ones . . . just as I’d done for my Mum. And, really, I believe there is no greater honour than to do this for a loved one.
There are a variety of ways that we can do this - probably way more than you might think . . . and on my ‘Ceremonies’ page you can find a few ideas.
I worked as a Funeral Arranger within a family owned Funeral Directors . . .
And so I have experience in arranging funerals as well as being able to source those elements and ‘little touches’ that really make a difference for families who are wanting a memorable farewell ceremony for their loved one.
I’ve written a book . . .
This is for ‘Mums To Be’ and is a unique pregnancy guide which is a delightful and easy read.
It brings together all of my midwifery knowledge and experience along with all the aspects of ancient alternative medicine practices and modern coaching techniques that I have studied in recent years.
As such, it forms a comprehensive and unique accompaniment to support and empower women through this incredible time of transition.
It is called “Wise & With Child” . . . for the simple reason that women hold a deep wisdom through their very DNA that connects them to childbearing women back through time - and this piece of writing is to help remind them of this.
My little family means the world to me . . .
I have an incredible daughter and am blessed to be a Grannie too.
When I’m not working . . .
I love to be out in nature - whatever the weather (!) and enjoy walking my retired rescued greyhound- especially in the wildest landscapes, although she’s not always so keen when the weather’s rough!
My first job was . . .
After leaving school, I initially worked with horses and my dream was to get onto the British 3 Day Event Team!
That was until someone said . . . “when are you going to get a ‘proper’ job?”
Which was when I undertook my nurse training and began a long and rewarding career within the NHS.
I love to learn new things!
I’m definitely a ‘life long learner’ and am fascinated to see what will ‘show up’ to be learned next!
I am currently exploring all sorts of new techniques that I can incorporate into all aspects of my work to share with my clients. (Watch this space!)
So, let’s take a look, with a few little ‘snippits’ about me!
I worked within the NHS for nearly 30 years!
Firstly as a Nurse where I specialised in A&E and Palliative Care . . . before training as a Midwife which is where I remained for the last 12 years of my NHS service.
Thinking back, wherever I worked, I was always supporting people through times of change.
Whether this was with couples becoming parents, patients being given a life changing diagnosis . . . or with families devastated by a sudden and traumatic loss.
I ran my own Complementary Therapy Clinics . . .
I’ve always been interested in complementary therapies and my departure from the NHS created the perfect opportunity to follow what ‘called me’ and I began learning a whole range of alternative medicine modalities.
Beginning with The Bowen Technique, soon followed by Reiki and Crystal Therapies, EFT, Energy Medicine or Shamanic Practitioner Training, Life Coaching and NLP.
A beautiful synergy of ‘both forms of medicine’ occurred when I was employed to share Energy Medicine Techniques with patients within an NHS Breast Cancer Clinic.
I really pay attention to the details . . .
My working background has taught me many things . . . perhaps, most importantly, that ‘getting things right’ is super important.
And this is something that has stood me in good stead both in my work as a Celebrant and in my role supporting women as they prepare for birth and motherhood. There isn’t the opportunity for a ‘second go’ . . . and, therefore, there’s no room for error.
I am ‘purely’ a Funeral Celebrant . . .
It was after I had written and delivered my Mum’s funeral service that I decided to train as a Funeral Celebrant. It felt absolutely ‘right’ to be able to offer families my support, experience and passion to create a fitting and memorable ceremony for their loved ones . . . just as I’d done for my Mum. And, really, I believe there is no greater honour than to do this for a loved one.
There are a variety of ways that we can do this - probably way more than you might think . . . and on my ‘Ceremonies’ page you can find a few ideas.
I worked as a Funeral Arranger within a family owned Funeral Directors . . .
And so I have experience in arranging funerals as well as being able to source those elements and ‘little touches’ that really make a difference for families who are wanting a memorable farewell ceremony for their loved one.
I’ve written a book . . .
This is for ‘Mums To Be’ and is a unique pregnancy guide which is a delightful and easy read.
It brings together all of my midwifery knowledge and experience along with all the aspects of ancient alternative medicine practices and modern coaching techniques that I have studied in recent years.
As such, it forms a comprehensive and unique accompaniment to support and empower women through this incredible time of transition.
It is called “Wise & With Child” . . . for the simple reason that women hold a deep wisdom through their very DNA that connects them to childbearing women back through time - and this piece of writing is to help remind them of this.
My little family means the world to me . . .
I have an incredible daughter and am blessed to be a Grannie too.
When I’m not working . . .
I love to be out in nature - whatever the weather (!) and enjoy walking my retired rescued greyhound- especially in the wildest landscapes, although she’s not always so keen when the weather’s rough!
My first job was . . .
After leaving school, I initially worked with horses and my dream was to get onto the British 3 Day Event Team!
That was until someone said . . . “when are you going to get a ‘proper’ job?”
Which was when I undertook my nurse training and began a long and rewarding career within the NHS.
I love to learn new things!
I’m definitely a ‘life long learner’ and am fascinated to see what will ‘show up’ to be learned next!
I am currently exploring all sorts of new techniques that I can incorporate into all aspects of my work to share with my clients. (Watch this space!)
So those were just a few little ‘fun’ facts about me as a way of an introduction.
When I look back over my working life, I realise that it has been one filled with supporting others . . . individuals, couples and families - often as they navigate their way through some of the toughest changes and challenges that show up for us as humans . . . namely birth and death.
And this has been (and continues to be) a privilege, for sure.
I remember talking to a friend once, about my work and she mentioned that how I showed up was similar to ‘Anum Cara’ .
Anum Cara is a Celtic term that translates to ‘Soul Friend’ which I suppose is a representation of the non judgemental, and special relationship I’ve been able to foster with these people throughout my career . . . one that goes way beyond a conventional friendship or working relationship.
And, this remains at the very core of all the work I share now.
So, whether you are here for pregnancy support or because you’re looking for some end of life advice, please know that you are so very welcome and I am able to direct you to the relevant areas on my website here.
Get in touch
If you’d like to arrange a time to chat or you have a query about my work and how I might help you, then please do get in touch using this form
