2023 – PresentI partnered with Castlehaven to investigate the effects of a community-based Yoga & Mindfulness intervention for women with anxiety/depression, and to explore how social prescribing was being adopted by the centre. My research allowed me to interface with members of the community, whom I engaged with through participatory, creative research methods as well as through interviews. I also engaged with staff at the community centre, gaining insight into their experiences of implementing social prescribing in partnership with the local Prince of Wales GP surgery. My research helped provide Castlehaven with evidence-based recommendations, and has been used for evaluation purposes.
More recently, I have been assisting Castlehaven with their weekly food bank. As well as collecting data from food bank members, I have been liaising with long-term food bank users to support them with accessing non-clinical, community-based services, whereby to address underlying socio-economic and psycho-social challenges.
2022 – 2023I obtained a Master’s of Arts & Sciences in Creative Health from UCL, having graduated with distinction. The Master’s offered insight into the myriad factors influencing health – through the lens of health inequalities, lifecourse epidemiology and the social determinants of health – and explored non-clinical means of promoting wellbeing (e.g., community assets, co-production, lived experience). I gained exposure to various research methods and experience with collating quantitative and qualitative evidence, as well as carrying out primary and secondary research.
2022 – PresentI teach a weekly, open-level Yoga class at the Primrose Hill Community Centre. During these classes, I encourage conscious movement with the aim to cultivate awareness, while fostering strength, mobility and stability. As well as being anchored by the breath, the practice is informed by an understanding of anatomy and physiology, and incorporates aspects of the Yoga tradition.
I also teach a Chair Yoga for Seniors class, which aims to preserve and promote mobility, balance and strength in over 65s through chair-based movement and postures.
2014 – 2022I began by career at Freemavens, an insights and strategy consultancy specialising in data-driven research. As a Research Analyst, I drew on and analysed a mix of quantitative and qualitative digital, consumer and market data sets when carrying out research for clients. I gained valuable knowledge and understanding of various tools and research methods, as well as an ability to synthesise vast data findings, from which to identify relevant and actionable insights.
As a Strategist, I was accountable for the delivery of projects, regularly translating client briefs into rigorous research methodologies, surfacing insights, and formulating business recommendations. I worked across teams and functions, liaising with colleagues and clients to ensure projects were delivered to a high standard and research findings were conveyed in the form of a compelling and actionable narrative.
My responsibilities at Freemavens also spanned line management, employee training and coaching, which I embraced and derived great personal satisfaction from. Moreover, I regularly and proactively made suggestions as to how to innovate, adapt and improve company processes and ways of working. As one of Freemavens’ earliest employees, I am proud to have made a significant contribution to a company culture founded on empathy, rigour and integrity.
2021 – 2023I was invited to serve as a mentor and assistant on the 18-month Triyoga Level 1 Teacher Training Programme 2021/2023, led by Anna Ashby and Tony Watson. I drew on my own experience of the training programme and my teaching to offer support, guidance and feedback to teacher trainees, as well as assisting with and helping facilitate teaching modules.
2019 – 2021After 10 years of practising Yoga, I went on to complete the rigorous 350-hour, British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance certified Triyoga teacher training programme, under the tutelage of Anna Ashby, Tony Watson, Chris Swain and Daniel Simpson. The training spanned 2 years and comprised asana (posture), philosophy, anatomy and physiology, as well as meditation. It provided a robust framework for teaching, giving me the skills and confidence to transmit the teachings and benefits of Yoga to others.
2018 – 2019I completed a foundation course in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology (APP), via the British College of Osteopathy, in collaboration with the College of Craniosacral Therapy. This provided me with a strong foundation on which to continue evolving my understanding of and interest in the human body, and the role of embodied practices in supporting health and wellbeing.
2010 – 2014I obtained an Undergraduate degree (MA) in English and Art History from the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, having graduated with First Class Honours. My studies offered the opportunity to expand upon a natural passion for both literature, art and writing. For my honours thesis, I sought to blend aspects of my joint degree to carry out a ‘word and image’ study of the work of the Mexican, Surrealist photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo.
2011 – 2014I served as the Press and Exhibition Coordinator, and Literary Editor of Stereoscope Magazine – a photography publication featuring student photography and articles, and showcasing images from the University of St Andrews’ vast photography archive. In my role as Literary Editor, I managed and edited the magazine’s written content, finding new and creative ways of bringing each issue’s theme to life