Continuing the Journey is not run by any single organisation and continues its journey only because conference participants give the mandate to a planning group to investigate the next stage. It is a ‘trans-denominational’ conference, supported by a number of Christian trusts and counselling centres.

Meet the planning group

Martine Bailey (Swanwick Liaison and worship facilitator) Worked for 25 years in the local hospice, first as a bereavement visitor and then as a supervisor. Also worked in a GP practise as a counsellor for many years. Now retired, is involved in a charity in Uganda and in 4 small rural parishes in East Sussex. Martine was taken to her first CTJ conference in 1999 by her boss who said, “This will be good for you”. It was – and still is. Loves gardening, weaving and above all, walking in her beloved Vosges Mountains.

 

Marie Calvert (Worship facilitator) Marie lives in Leamington Spa with her husband, and they have a grown up (mostly) daughter who lives in Edinburgh. She is a UKCP-accredited Integrative Arts Psychotherapist working in private practice, and a Reader in her local Anglican church. She also leads occasional retreats and workshops on themes related to creativity, spirituality, personal development and playfulness (Play and Foolishness are important parts of her life). When not doing the above worthy-sounding things, she is passionate about painting (mainly seas and skies, rather than skirting boards), and is a regular exhibitor with Warwickshire Open Studios, and other venues. She also loves photography, especially if it involves Cornwall or Iceland, and sings (dodgily) in a local community choir.

 

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Jane Foley. (Swanwick Liaison) Before becoming a B.A.C.P. Registered counsellor Jane has been many things including a cook, a cleaner and a bottle washer ! Lol !
Part of Jane’s week is spent volunteering for a Charity – The Turning Point Counselling Service which was set up in 2002 by Christians in her local community of Brighouse, West Yorkshire. Jane’s interests are cooking for friends, walking Luna the dog and going to the seaside in “Vinnie” her VW Van with her teenage son Adam.

 

Jill Green (Newsletter) lives in land locked Loughborough and is BACP accredited. She emerged from the NHS stables as a nurse and midwife prior to her therapeutic life, she has been emersed in this for 22 years, having co managed The Haven Counselling Centre for 14 years (now retired from management) and has a private practice and is a tutor on a BSc (Hons) course. She first came to CTJ in 2006 it has become a highlight of her self-care oasis. She is married and has three adult children, a daughter in law and two wonderful young grandsons. When she is not working, she can be found covered in mud, paint and mess with her grandsons, trying to make music and Morris dancing, sometimes at the same time!

 

Tim Haggis (Co-chair of the planning group) is an Anglican priest, now retired after 12 years in parishes and 17 as a school chaplain. When not looking after the home and family Tim does a day a week as a volunteer at the local nature reserve, reads anything by Terry Pratchett, runs a local wine-tasting group and spends a lot of time cooking. He has also been known to preach the occasional sermon.

 

Anne Jones is a BACP accredited relationship counsellor, working in Leeds. She worked for Relate for many years as a couples and family counsellor and trainer. She has recently started her own private practice. She takes a wide-angled view of situations in counselling, considering networks, contexts and frequently connecting to the arts. She is dug into her local community, enjoying being an active member of her own church, being the church administrator for the church next door and running with a running club. When not working or running, she also enjoys playing the piano, being in the countryside where the wildlife is good and also doing arty stuff. She has valued coming to the conference for many years, finding it extremely helpful in navigating the many changes in her life.

 

Julie Nevitt (Treasurer and CTJ Admin) is a Counsellor in private practice with a particular interest in working with older people. She also works as Scheme Manager for MHA Communities West London. And as Administrator at Lindsay Park Baptist Church.

She was the Director of Hope Counselling Service, a small charity set up to offer affordable counselling to the local community in NW London. She has three grown up, quirky children. When she’s not working or spending time with family she’s generally walking. During lockdown, she completed a virtual walk across Canada, 5,512 miles!

‘One of our Trustees took me to my first CTJ in 2006 which turned out to be a lifesaver for me, coming as it did at a really difficult time in my life. Each conference since has proved invaluable: providing nurture, challenge and nourishment’

 

Anne Sardeson (Worship Facilitator) is a minister in the URC living by the water in east Essex where she loves walking, bird and boat watching and writing hymns and prayers and poems. She also loves cats. She is interested in the intersection of faith, spirituality and psychology and is soon to be married to Lesley.

 


Karen 
Stallard (Co-Chair of Planning group) Runs her own private practice as an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist in Islington, London and is also an ordained minister. Karen is a trainer and supervisor for Trauma Informed Schools UK and the course director for the Child Counselling Skills Certificate course at The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education. Karen is married to Sharon and her favourite activities include making art and music, and is currently learning how to be a potter.

 

Brian White (Book shop and tech) Brian is a Baptist Minister currently at Wollaston Baptist Church in Northants where he has been since 2020. Brian first attended CTJ in 2010 at the “Psst…look who’s talking” conference. He came because one of his leadership team suggested, “It would be good thing for you to do.” Her words proved true and he has attended three more conferences since then. Brian has been married to Sarah since 1988 and they have four sons and three granddaughters and a grandson. He enjoys walking with Sarah, freshwater fishing, reading, rock music, (well any live music really) and real ale, the last two enjoyed together whenever possible. He is an ex-submariner although he prefers the term, “retired pirate.”  In 2022 he realised a decades old ambition joined the motorcycling world.”