My training

I trained in France as an Educateur de Jeunes Enfants (directly translated as Educator for Young Children) and gained a vast amount of knowledge on children development and how events can impact them. I also gained knowledge on attachment and how breaks in the relationship can impact our mental health in adulthood. My dissertation was on how to support children, in refuge, of women escaping domestic violence.

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A number of years later, I started to train as a counsellor and undertook a Level 3 course with Women and Girl Network. The course was specifically looking at counselling and therapeutic intervention for women overcoming experiences of violence from a feminist and multi-cultural point of view. The course gave me further knowledge on gender based violence and tools on how to offer the best support to women survivor.

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I followed on by completing a Level 5 Diploma in Integrative Counselling with Heart and Mind. The course integrated various modules, including modules on online and Christian counselling. I was particularly interested in how to support people who struggle with their faith after difficult life events; I completed my dissertation on faith and trauma (a copy is available here, if you are interested).

Past experiences

I have extensive experience working in the charity sector, supporting individuals in different challenging situations; first as a Family Support Worker, then as an Anti-Trafficking Advocate, specialising in supporting mothers to reunite or keep their children. Through those jobs, I gained experience in advocating with different institutions such as the Home Office, Social Services, Housing and Courts. I also gained knowledge in children safeguarding and in delivering groups and trainings.

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Following on from those, I worked as a Domestic Violence Prevention Worker and Keyworker for women in prisons and/or involved in the criminal justice system. I gained working knowledge of the justice system and matters facing the women concerned, in particular, I gained good knowledge on supporting individuals with addiction.

Those experiences have given me a passion to support individuals facing difficulties, especially women who have endured hardship and traumatic events.