Community Outreach

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to serving others and contributing to the wellbeing of the wider community. I believe in meeting people at their point of need by offering support that is grounded, compassionate and accessible. Community work is not separate from my therapeutic practice. It is woven into who I am as a therapist. It keeps me grounded, continually learning, and reminds me of the resilience that can emerge when people are given the opportunity to connect, reflect and heal.

York St John University

Alongside my private practice, I volunteer as a counsellor at the York St John University Communities Centre, where I provide therapy for people who may not otherwise have access to counselling. I also contribute to bereavement research with Professor Lynne Gabriel OBE and Dr John Wilson, exploring the lived experience of grief and how communities can better support those who are bereaved. This work strengthens bereavement counselling, contributes to the wider field of knowledge and ensures my practice remains informed by current research while staying rooted in compassion and humanity.

NHS Bereavement Cafés

In partnership with North Riding Primary Care Network, I lead NHS supported Bereavement Cafés, creating welcoming spaces where people can come together after loss. Since October 2024, these groups have offered connection, understanding and hope to those navigating grief. I am also working with NHS colleagues to develop further community bereavement projects.

Next Steps Charity

I volunteer with the local mental health charity Next Steps, supporting their Community Walks. These walks promote emotional wellbeing through movement, nature and human connection. They reflect my belief in the restorative power of the natural world and the importance of belonging, particularly for those who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed.

Creativity and Collaboration

Creativity is central to how I work. I often use metaphor, poetry and reflective writing to help people explore experiences that can be difficult to put into words. Whether I am working with an individual, facilitating a group or contributing to research, my aim is always the same: to create spaces where people feel heard, understood and able to move forward with hope.

I value working collaboratively with others who are committed to improving understanding of grief, loss and bereavement. This has included collaborating with the Life and Death Café in Malton and contributing to the University of York’s Picturing Grief project, led by Dr Louise Richardson, which uses philosophy, research and the arts to encourage open conversations about grief.

As a member of the North Yorkshire Writing Circle, I am proud that our poetry group has contributed original work inspired by grief and loss to support the Picturing Grief project. I believe creativity can express experiences that are often difficult to articulate, helping people feel less alone while creating opportunities for reflection, connection and hope.

Working in Partnership

– York St John University Communities Centre

– Professor Lynne Gabriel OBE and Dr John Wilson

– North Riding Primary Care Network

– Next Steps Mental Health Charity

– University of York – Picturing Grief Project

– Dr Louise Richardson

– Life and Death Café, Malton

– North Yorkshire Writing Circle