My name is Fiona Ainley and I live in the coastal town of Arbroath in Angus. Scotland with my husband and our 2 daughters.
The majority of my career has been in an administrative or training role and I have gained a lot of satisfaction, in particular, in training young and adult unemployed with a view to getting them back into work or into further education. Adults in particular don’t adapt well to classroom learning so each training plan had to be tailored to the individual and their needs and abilities.
I have been looking for some time for a new direction and have always enjoyed working with people as individuals to ensure they gain exactly what they want to from every experience. All too often people are led down a certain path as this is what is available to them rather than because it is what they want. People often have to settle for what is the “norm” and I think they shouldn’t settle for anything less than what they actually want.
I know from talking to family and friends over the years, that they are not always looking for a church wedding or a registry office one, but something that is very personal to them and their partner. I was also very aware when my own father passed away 2 years ago, that the church funeral service we had for him was not what I wanted for myself but I didn’t really know all the options that are available. That is when I first became aware of what a Celebrant does and was interested becoming one myself. I feel that I am at the right stage in my personal life now to “grab the bull by the horns” and get on and do it. In becoming a Celebrant, it is my hope that everyone gets the funeral, wedding, vow renewal or baby naming ceremony they are looking for and it will be a privilege for me to work with you to ensure you do.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, travelling, spending time with my family as well as knitting and other craftwork such as calligraphy and card making. I was involved in the setup of the Angus branch of Dyslexia Scotland and help organise open events encouraging families and professionals to come along and find out about the support that is available to those affected by dyslexia and I find that very rewarding.
Fiona
