Carole Howells

I was born in the South East of England - Mum and Dad having eloped from Spennymoor - so I was always the kid with the odd accent (and I still have it). I consider myself a NorthEasterner now, having lived here far longer than I lived near London, but I’m aware of my “cosmopolitan roots”.

I am the eldest sister, made responsible for taking care of my beloved little sister as we navigated our way through Mum & Dad’s abusive and violent relationship. I had one failed marriage behind me by the time I moved to Spennymoor, and lived as a single parent for a number of years.

My first son, Ben, died when he was a baby. I may have been offered counselling when we lost him - I really don’t remember. The advice I received was to “try again”, and being a people pleaser, I did as I was told, and was quickly a mum again to my second son.

I’ve had a full life - which is the kind way to describe just how many mistakes I’ve made, and how many dramas I’ve lived through. An abusive childhood, being a single mum, two divorces, the loss of my son, redundancies, homelessness, a failed business. I believe my experiences have made me practically un-shockable, approachable and non-judgemental.

Eventually I found a counsellor of my own, and that is what set me on this path. I want to offer the same warm, safe place to others that was so generously offered to me.