Biography
I have been interested in complementary health, healthy eating and yoga since school age but initially I wanted to be a journalist! I gained my first degree in English Literature from Edinburgh University in 1994 followed by a PGCE at Aberystwyth University after deciding against journalism. I worked as a primary school teacher before deciding to follow my long standing interest in complementary health. I trained in therapeutic massage, acupressure and clinical aromatherapy at the Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy, qualifying in 1998. Almost straight away I realised that my main interest was in remedial treatment and began extra training in this area.
In 2011 I gained a BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Advanced Sport and Remedial Massage (now called Soft Tissue Therapy) from the highly regarded London School of Sports Massage.
In 2003 I was awarded a BSc (Hons) in Health Sciences and Herbal Medicine from Westminster University. As well as educating me in the use of herbs (a subject that had fascinated me for years), this degree developed my understanding of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology to a far deeper level than my massage training involved.
I have been based at the The 919 Physiotherapy Clinic for over ten years where I have experienced treating a wide range of clients including climbers, runners, cyclists, athletes and circus performers as well as people recovering from injury or coping with chronic health issues, or wishing to address work related issues. I attend courses every year to keep up to date and to develop new skills and knowledge; I enjoy this ongoing training enormously and return to work with even more enthusiasm than before. I am currently undertaking CPD in the Joanne Elphinston Movement System which aims to improve movement and performance, developing greater ease, self-awareness, efficiency and balance.
I am a fully insured member of the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage.
Over the years I have enjoyed bringing herbal knowledge to the wider community. As a committee member of Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses in London I helped to develop interest in the walled herb garden there by leading herb talks and walks and by using the produce to make herbal products. Now based in Sheffield, I volunteered at Meersbrook Walled Garden and Heeley City Farm and have lead herb walks and health talks. I no longer practice as a herbalist but I still enjoy identifying and using local plants, and as well as their medicinal uses I love finding out about other traditional practices such as using them to create and dye fibre.
I moved to Sheffield in 2007 in order to do more climbing, although since then injury means that I no longer climb. Other sporting interests include running, hiking and sailing although I enjoy rather than excel at these!
When I am not working or walking, I am often crafting; I spin, knit and weave. Recently I began to sell my work with 10% of the proceeds from the dog leads, woven in natural fibres, going to the animal rescue charity that Daisy, our lovely dog, came from. You can find photos of my work (and walks!) on my instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/practicalcatcrafts/ Do contact me if you would like to make a purchase.