The Post: Holistic Therapist, Sole Sanctuary Holistic Health
The Post Holder: Valerie McVeigh
After a successful career working in the charity sector Valerie McVeigh then found her calling for holistic therapies.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I can hardly believe it but this year I am marking 40 years of my working life. It began at the age of 18 when I had a placement on a youth training programme scheme, I was really lucky to go to a new business set up by three university leavers, Triplicate Design. After a few years I moved to Sliderobes and worked in the office and showroom. In 1990 I saw an office manager post advertised with the RNLI (Lifeboats), it was close to home and they didn’t start work until 9.30am which I thought was fabulous. After being with the charity for five years I jumped at the chance to get involved in fundraising and became an Area Fundraiser. In 2000 I moved to the NSPCC as special events co-ordinator for their Full Stop Campaign. The post was initially for one year but I stayed for two, then it was time to find myself a permanent position.
At that time Sargent Cancer Care for Children were looking for a full-time fundraiser and I was fortunate enough to get the position. I travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland supporting volunteer fundraising, managing corporates, events and activities to raise funds for children with cancer. This was such an emotional job and it was humbling to meet children and young people who were incredibly brave battling cancer
In 2007 I had itchy feet and TinyLife the premature baby charity were setting up a brand new fundraising team, I was fortunate to take the post of Head of Fundraising, it was so exciting to lead a small but dynamic team. After 14 years with TinyLife, a significant birthday and the shock of my husband’s cancer diagnosis I realised it was time to slow down, re-group and start seriously thinking about what the next 10 years had in store for me.
In 2021 I took the bull by the horns, rented some premises and Sole Sanctuary Holistic Health was born in Comber town centre. I am a member of the Comber Chamber which offers great support to me as a new trader in the town.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Home Economics, back then I was a great cook. Sadly this has gone downhill somewhat as my family will testify!
How did you get into your area of work?
I’d had my big 50th birthday and early retirement was my next step or so I thought. My plan was to slow down and look for something that would carry me into retirement and beyond but I had no idea what that would be. I have always loved holistic health but when my husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, a local charity, Action Cancer generously offered me a course of sessions. I was adamant that I didn’t need them as I wasn’t sick, but they assured me the treatments would have great benefits. The sessions included reflexology, emotional freedom tapping, hand reflexology and Bach Remedies. I was blown away by just how powerful they were. I was asking lots of questions and the therapist invited me along to a course on Bach Remedies, these are flower essences that support the emotional being. On that day at lunch we were asking each other what everyone worked at and the room was full of reflexologists. Their stories were inspirational and I decided there and then I was going off to find out how I could learn reflexology.
I found the Sheila Nugent School of Reflexology and immediately signed up. This was to start a journey I had never contemplated. I completed my diploma in Practitioners Reflexology in 2019 and went on to do advanced reflexology, baby and toddler, menopause, maternity and most recently crystal reflexology. Reflexology is the application of pressure on to reflexes on the feet (also ears, face, hands), these reflexes relate to different systems and organs in the body. I had truly been bitten by the holistic bug and in 2021 completed my diploma in advanced systematic kinesiology with TASK Ireland. Systematic Kinesiology is a holistic therapy that uses muscle testing and the body’s innate energetic feedback system to identify imbalances in the body. In 2022 I completed the Kinesiology Balanced Health Course Leaders Course and now offer Balanced Health training each Spring and Autumn.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Holistic Therapy was never on my radar as a job but as they say every cloud has a silver lining and a challenging health situation gave me the clarity and confidence to completely change direction in my career.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Strong interpersonal skills, good communication, empathy and a willingness to help others.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best is the range of people I get to meet, from babies through to my eldest, an incredible 91 year old. Also when clients tell me that they have felt the benefits, for example sleeping better, digestion has improved or confidence and energy levels raised. When it comes to the challenges there is only me in my practice and only so many hours in the day.
Why is what you do important?
I truly believe that holistic health empowers the client. They become much more aware and tuned into what is going on in their own body and quickly realise that the body and mind are most definitely linked.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
I would say don’t wait, grasp every opportunity and make it work for you.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Keep the faith and have confidence in the therapies.
Keep up to date with the latest news and views on the NI job market and more by following the nijobfinder blog.
Follow nijobfinder on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to see the latest jobs and to ensure your dream job won’t pass you by.