Firstly, there is the bit you know About Me on my website. However, I’m going to share how I’ve always shown The Caring Side of Me in giving to others.
Why tell my story?
Not only am I currently digging deep into me and my business through Shelley’s Brand Compass Programme. Also, in RLC Words Content Cracked Community group, Rebecca set a mini challenge of writing about yourself.
To sum up, this helps you, prospective clients, understand my background and personality traits. After that, you’ll be able to decide if I am the right therapist for you.
The Precis
I trained as a beauty therapist from leaving school and I’ve been in business for over 3 decades as a beauty and holistic therapist. At a poignant time in my life in 2018, I trained as a solution focused Hypnotherapist. I have continued to grow and develop my knowledge over the years, to provide the best transformational service I can, to help you emerge as the person you wish to be.
The Caring Side of Me goes way beyond my career as I have embarked on a number of voluntary roles throughout my life.
Where did The Caring Side of Me Start?
Dental Nurse
In my young teens during school holidays, I helped my parents. Both were Dentists, so I helped by working as a Dental Nurse when either of their nurses were on holiday. I also worked for my mum whilst doing A levels. I was caring and considerate of the often-nervous patients coming to see them. Building the rapport to help them relax.
Helping with Parties
I’ve always loved food. I learnt from my mum how to cook and bake. I very quickly took over the role of making cakes for the family. Progressing on, I helped mum prepare and cook several buffets over the years for parties we held at our house. My parents hosted Soroptimists, Round Table or Lions charity events. My sister and I helped serve and clear up, as well as mingle with the guests.
Organising Parties on a Grand Scale!
‘Fiftival’
When my sister turned 50 in 2018, I volunteered to organise a festival style party for 10 friends in the village who all turned 50 that year. I coordinated the whole event, delegating where I could. The vision turned into reality, and it really was a success. We had 10 music bands, food vendors, a bar, and over 1000 guests, with quite a few people camping overnight. All organised whilst going through my divorce and the Hypnotherapy training!
‘Noughtival’
When I turned 50, unfortunately in lockdown, I started planning my festival style party. Because of the delay in being able to celebrate, 17 friends who turned an ‘0’ within the 2 years joined forces. Again, I oversaw the organising as I’d done it before and had the contacts. A few positive changes but essentially it was the same.
Tots to School, my Daughters Influence
Parent & Tots group
When my daughter was a baby, I joined our village P&T group for socialisation for both of us. Soon after, I ran the Parent & Tots group in the Memorial Hall. It was a not-for-profit group, providing a safe, friendly environment for parents to meet up, enjoy a cuppa and chat whilst the children played. I organised the Christmas party with Father Christmas, Easter egg hunt round the pub garden, and Halloween parties too. We still have strong friendships with the parents and children who went. I continued to run the group for a while after Laura started school as it was a lovely way to socialise.
Pre-School
She went to the village Pre-School where I volunteered as Chair for a couple of years. It came with an immense amount of stress. Being Chair I was responsible for everything, staff, safeguarding, to fundraising. We had some amazing fundraising events to keep the Pre-School Charity afloat.
School
Once Laura was at our village school, I became a governor for 10 years. My additional roles were Chair of Health and Safety, ensuring the safety of the children by maintenance of the building. I was assigned Wellbeing governor and school council governor, listening to the needs of the children. Additionally, so that some of the staff could take a break, I volunteered as a lunchtime assistant.
Charity Support and Fundraising
Furthermore, The Caring Side of Me is the support I’ve given to charities in different ways.
Race for Life
To give me focus after having Laura by Caesarean, and because my father-in-law was diagnosed with Cancer, I entered the Race for Life. I walked the 5K with Laura in the baby carrier on my back.
Dancing
Laura danced for MODE Academy of Dance and every 2 years they performed in a dance display. For a couple of the displays, I organised the charity raffle for both performance nights. I engaged local businesses to get some fabulous prizes, iPad, Kindle, concert tickets, hampers, to name a few. We raised a lot of money for the charities, The Willow Foundation, Cransley Hospice Trust, and The Childrens Air Ambulance.
Frontline Support
During the pandemic I volunteered with Frontline19 to give my time to help those struggling working on the Frontline. I committed to give 12 sessions per client and helped 3 nurses who worked in A&E, ICU, and cancer research. My sessions helped them cope with the difficult times.
Memorial Hall
I’ve been a voluntary committee member of our village Memorial Hall for well over a decade, of which I coordinate the bookings. We are always making sure the hall is up to standard to best serve our local community. Fundraising events help to keep the hall running, we’ve organised events such as film nights, race nights, wine tasting evenings, to name a few.
Cransley Hospice Trust
I’m a member of The Wellingborough Business Room Networking, and Cransley Hospice Trust is our group Charity. In September 2022 my daughter and I did a parachute jump in aid of the Trust. A thrilling experience, and totally out of my comfort zone. We raised over 1.5k. I’ve continued to support the charity and helped at several of their other events. Starlight Walk making candy floss and popcorn for the walkers. I helped organise the Christmas Shopping event in 2022 and stood on the raffle table in 2023. The next challenge is that a group of us from Networking have entered ‘Sing for Cransley’, a singing competition in March 2024. I’m certainly not a professional singer but I will enjoy the experience and performance, knowing that the funds are going to an amazing charity.
Update: I am extremely proud to report that our group, ‘Cut to the Chase’, won two prizes from the ‘Sing for Cransley 2024’ event.
Firstly, the highest amount fundraised; collectively we raised £2700 for Cransley Hospice Trust.
Secondly, we won the Audience Vote for the best performance.
To Conclude
I am dedicated to whatever I turn my hands to. I know I will continue challenging myself, both professionally and personally, directly and indirectly. The Caring Side of Me will ultimately make a positive difference to others.
I am a full member of the AfSFH, NCH and CNHC, fully compliant with all their codes and ethics. I have full public liability am qualified, verified, and fully insured through BABTAC, with an enhanced DBS certificate through the NCH. Please do visit my terms & conditions.