I joined End of Life Doula UK in October 2025 after completing my Foundation Training, and volunteer at my local hospice alongside my work as an academic at the University of Lincoln.
I grew up in Lincolnshire before leaving in 1991. After studying in London and the USA, and later teaching in Japan, I returned to the UK in 2001.
My first significant encounter with death came in 2006, when my dad died of cancer at the age of 56. Being with him at home during his final weeks shaped my understanding of dying, care, and being present. That experience, together with the death of a close friend in 2023 were formative in me wanting to train as an end-of-life companion.
I am a humanist and do not have religious beliefs, but I studied Comparative Religion and Buddhism at university and am always open to and interested in the spiritual and religious beliefs of others. I see accompanying people from different social and cultural backgrounds as a privilege of this work.
In my professional life, I am organised, analytical, and empathetic, all of which support the emotional and practical dimensions of end-of-life care. Outside of work, I enjoy trail running, watching films, and carpentry, which together bring balance and creativity to my life.
My cumulative experiences have shaped the way I practise as a doula: I am committed to supporting people in finding meaning in mortality, and human connection in the final stage of life.