I was motivated to learn how to give Reiki treatments, by a desire to make this therapy affordable to those who needed it most. Having been in the position of being out of work due to long-term health problems, I quickly realised that accessing complementary health treatments was an expensive business! I could not afford to pay £30+ for a Reiki treatment, but had heard great things about the positive impact Reiki could have on your well-being.

I was lucky enough to find a not-for-profit project, where I could try this therapy out for a £4 donation. My health rapidly improved, and I was so grateful to the kindness of the volunteer therapists at the project. This would not have been possible at £30+ per visit.

It is my long-term ambition to set up a similar project in the city of Sunderland, which has a long history of high unemployment and economic deprivation. In the meantime, I’m working on a voluntary basis for a Chester-le-Street charity, one day a week.

I do not believe in charging high treatment fees, as I don’t believe that Reiki should be used to accumulate wealth. It is also my experience that those who could benefit most, do not always have much money to spare.