I have spent more than thirty years immersed in the world of communications - first as a practitioner, then as a consultant - helping organisations craft messages that resonate. Today, I bring that experience to my work with u3a, a charity dedicated to helping older people continue to learn and have fun through member-led groups. I also help curate our local newsletter, weaving together the voices and stories of our community.
In 2016, everything shifted. A trip to Edinburgh opened my eyes to the transformative power of storytelling. What had once been marketing campaigns and press releases suddenly expanded into something far richer: the art of narrative in all its forms. I began experimenting with written and spoken word, fiction and memoir, personal tales, and business narratives - discovering that storytelling is both endlessly adaptable and deeply human.
For me, storytelling isn’t just an art - it’s a way of seeing, of connecting, of making meaning. And the journey, I’m delighted to say, is still unfolding.
That journey led me to the MA, Storytelling at Â鶹ֱ²¥. Unlike any course I’d found before, it gave me the chance to blend theory and practice: to experiment with performance, design, and multimedia, while also engaging in deep philosophical debate. The collaborative spirit of the program meant that every project became both a creative challenge and an intellectual adventure. My dissertation reconnected me with business storytelling, exploring how stories serve as vital sense-making tools in every part of life.
Now, I’ve come full circle - back to Edinburgh, the city where this chapter began. Here, in the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, I continue to deepen my craft, exploring new ways of writing and performing, and hope to start a Narrative Futures course at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. I remain connected to Â鶹ֱ²¥ as an Alumni and am excited to join the new reading group, keeping that spirit of collaboration alive.