My background

Among my interests:  Peace and justice issues; inter-faith dialogue; holistic health; beauty in nature, music, poetry and especially in people’s hearts.

My background

Between school in Birmingham and university in London I taught for a year in an Arabic school in the Lebanon.

In 1969 I was invited to work with the Gandhi Peace Foundation in a deprived area of S. India. For 6 years I lived in a Harijan/Dalit village, working in partnership with Smti. Krishnammal Jaggannathan and her husband who have devoted their lives to peace and justice among the landless poor. (In 2009 they were jointly awarded the  Right Livelihood Award,  also known as the Alternative Nobel Peace prize )

In 1976 I moved to Kerala to start a Community of Asha Niketan for learning disabled adults, (affiliated to the International Federation of L'Arche, founded by Jean Vanier). We developed a programme of organic farming and a sheltered workshop –and later a Day Centre for children with disabilities from nearby villages.  This Community, which welcomes people of Hindu, Muslim and Christian background, has been managed by Indians since 1983, and continues to expand.

For the next three years I had a more supportive role, co-coordinating the vision and training of the four Asha Niketan Communities in Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru as well as Nandi Bazaar, in addition to proposed projects in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Philippines. (www.larchesouthasia.org )

In 1986, I returned to the UK, partly for health reasons. I spent three years at the Abbey, Sutton Courtenay.  This is an ecumenical centre offering events and courses concerned with social/ecological justice, interfaith dialogue and the arts.  My interest in T’ai Chi and training with the European School of T’ai Chi began here. (see www.metta-taichi.org.uk )

I lived for 13 years in a L'Arche community in South London. During that time I trained in and practised Aromatherapy Massage, especially for people with learning disability.  I also took a Diploma in Buddhist Counseling.  In 1988 I did an initial training in Ignatian spiritual direction and since then have been privileged to listen to countless others in individual and group retreats as they journey to their own truth and revelation.  I am a member of the Scottish based Epiphany Group and adhere to their code of practice. (www.epiphanygroup.org.uk) I continue to be involved in Retreats for people with learning disabilities, using story, art, mime and symbols more than words.

In 2001 I moved to the Highlands. I have continued my interest in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) www.cnvc.org and www.nvc-uk.info including participation in an ongoing practice group in Inverness.   I am involved with the L'Arche community www.larche.org.uk  in Inverness as well as the Coach House www.coachhousekilmuir.org  on the Black Isle.

Since 2014 I have been training in Rosen Method Bodywork, with the Rosen Method UK school, and registered with the International Rosen Institute. In February 2019 I qualified as a Practioner of the Rosen Method UK School and now offer Rosen Sessions in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Forres. Please see details below.