Hi, I'm Helen!

I was born  and brought up in Paisley, Renfrewshire.  From an early age I was lucky enough to be immersed in history , folklore and Scottish culture by a very inspirational Dad. Stories in our household were huge. Nothing from a book, but we were encouraged to use our own imagination and took inspiration from the things around us.  Growing up, as a family we  used to head to Comrie in Perthshire every weekend and during the school holidays, which has given me a love of the outside and nature. Ritual was huge in our house. Nothing based on religion as such, but in a myriad of wee small things that bound us as a family, such as how we  marked  significant  occasions together.

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I have always been interested in people’s stories. So after completing my M.A. degree at Glasgow Uni, I worked for a while collecting reminiscences of people in the community  for a social history archive.   Something that I relished. Why should it only be the rich and famous who get their stories told? The stories  of “ordinary” people are often the most interesting. But I quickly realised that it wouldn’t fund the lifestyle I would like to become accustomed to, so I got a “proper job”  in local government. But even then, I always gravitated towards roles that involved people, often  at points of crisis, and generally helping give them a leg up in life when they needed it most.

 

It was losing my wee Dad that drew me to celebrancy in the first place. We didn’t think any organised religious ceremony would do his rich life justice nor honour his unique beliefs, so we were pointed in the direction of a local celebrant. My interest was piqued and I  began to think that becoming a celebrant was something I’d love to do myself.

 

So, as the pandemic was drawing to a close, and we were finally being allowed out again,  I had the strong feeling that there must be more to life  than merely going through the motions and doing what I always had done in the past.  Fortunately, at that point, the universe gave me the huge nudge I needed. Lindy had just advertised a training opportunity with CTS Scotland so I decided to leave  the day job and train as a funeral celebrant. I can honestly say that I have  loved every minute of it. As someone once said, do something that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. I can vouch for that !

 

And so, it seemed right  that I was able to conduct the celebration of life for my own wee mum in March 2023.  She and I had come full circle together. She saw me into the physical world, and I saw her into the spiritual realm. Something I will always treasure.   

 

Spirituality is something that cannot  easily be put into words, or packaged neatly  with a nice cute bow. Like  a lot of people, I was born into the Christian faith and over the years have attended church at various points. However I have the feeling that organised religion ( of all creeds and  denominations ) is only part of a much bigger jigsaw. I believe there’s a great big life force greater than all of that holding us together . For example,  

I get as much spiritual comfort from being out in nature, or lighting a candle and sitting in quiet contemplation, as I do from attending a church service. I understand that many people feel as I do and there’s no right or wrong way to approach spirituality. As far as I’m concerned if ceremony is approached with intention, then we’re halfway there.

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There’s an old Scots saying, “ We’re all Jock Tamson’s Bairns”.  I firmly believe that no matter a person’s race, creed, gender, sexual orientation etc. that we are all of equal value in the greater scheme of things. I promise  that I will always be inclusive, respectful and understanding and promise to hold space for you. 

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I was delighted last year to have become Madame President of Renfrewshire Speakers Club. Only the 2nd woman in its 60+ year history. I also test my endurance on an  almost weekly basis to take a cold water dip in Loch Lomond.  All that aside, I love to spend time with friends and family, my pets, and I love a good book.  All recommendations welcomed.

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I cant wait to hear your story, be that your love story, the new wee person in your life, or about the wonderful person whom has sadly passed on and we will honour together.

 

I will always remember that it is YOUR story.   My privilege is to help you tell it.