I live in the North of Sheffield, which is convenient for access to many parts of the Yorkshire and North Midlands region- and I would also be happy to travel to ceremonies abroad, should that be your wish.
For many years, I worked in the public sector as a Probation Officer, concentrating on training & developing staff. As a trainer, I developed a firm understanding of how to engage people, and deliver well-planned & executed material. This care & attention to detail has proved most appropriate in offering ceremonies which are not only comforting or celebratory, but which will also “work” on the day- most important to ensure that all runs smoothly & satisfyingly.
All of my life I have had a commitment to social justice & the value of the human- so it was a natural choice for me to join the British Humanist Association in 2007, and thence being inspired to train as a Celebrant when I attended my niece’s Humanist wedding, which I found very personal & engaging. I am accredited by the British Humanist Association to offer Weddings & Partnership Ceremonies, Funerals & also Naming Ceremonies.
I consider working as a Humanist Celebrant to be an absolute privilege. From meeting you, your family & those to whom you feel closest, I learn about your dreams and aspirations for your wedding, your feelings about the person you have lost and whose life you wish to celebrate, or your hopes for the happy future of the new life who has entered your family circle. My first meeting with you will enable you to share your wishes, feelings and for me to learn about what is most important to you. I will then produce a draft script for your ceremony which we can discuss and amend as you wish; I never dictate, and always remember it is your ceremony, although I am there, if required, to advise you on readings, poetry, music, how to involve others…and to make suggestions as to what may work best. In years to come, when you re-read your script from your special day, I aim to ensure that it truly captured the occasion, and those at the heart of it.