I am a breathwork facilitator and psychotherapist who for years specialised in working with the impacts of addiction on families, nurturing parent-child relationships. My Fellowship gifted me the chance to travel to the USA and learn from innovative programmes that used playful, creative approaches to support families in the healing process.

I returned from the USA fired up to develop a programme of support that would be both educational and fun. This is important because families affected by addiction tend to be highly stressed, under-resourced, neglected and stigmatised. Transgenerational trauma means it's vital we invest in children: to help them understand and make sense of their experiences, give voice to their feelings, recover playfulness and feel connected.

I saw the power of play in addressing painful experiences as well as the efficacy of a more systemic trauma-informed approach. My Fellowship changed my life, instilling in me a determination to thrive and to dream big. I encountered a pioneering energy that changed my notion of 'work'. It allowed me to see what's possible when passionate individuals commit to manifesting their visions in the world. It's still powering me.