I was born in Toronto, Canada but Ihave been living in South Wales since 1974. I worked for Swansea Social Services for nearly thirty years. My last post with them was as Service and Staff Development Officer for Mental Health and Substance Misuse. In the two years before I finished I also chaired the Swansea Domestic Abuse Prevention Group. I am a qualified social worker, counsellor and trainer, I also have a diploma in Dream Analysis. Ill health forced me to retire early. Since retiring from work I have been able to spend some time developing my interests in art, photography and writing poetry.