WHO IS CATHERINE HUTT

Career

Catherine’s first passion was the Women’s Royal Air Force. She always wanted to join from a young age. If she had failed the entrance exams she would not have known what to do, she had no back up plan. Thankfully she passed and spent 12 full and very active years serving her country. She served in units around the UK, Germany and The Falkland Islands. Catherine always liked to try new things, was very adventurous and during her time in the Air Force she became a climbing instructor, fought for the right to be the only female member of a team to go to Greenland undertaking studies for The Royal Botanical Society and Cornell University in New York. Took teams of women only rock climbing, abseiling and canoeing. Being in the Air Force taught Catherine a lot about herself and fed her sense of fun and adventure.

While in the Air Force she was sent on many courses and had to implement a computerised system to the station typing pool and also set up they computerised system in administration at the Falkland Islands. IT continued to dominate her life after leaving the Air Force and she eventually ran her own successful software consultancy business for many years. Unfortunately IT changed so quickly and it was becoming too costly and stressful that she lost her passion for it but felt at a loss as to where her future lay. She wasn’t yet ready to retire.

Holistic Living

After leaving the Air Force she became more open to alternative and holistic therapies. Her grandparents lived on a farm and when they were ill her grandmother would make up concoctions and remedies rather than visit the Doctor. Her time in the Air Force had closed off this area of her life slightly so it was refreshing to learn more.

Every career path taken has taken her towards her holistic passions, reinforcing that nature and our ancestors’ experience and knowledge had been lost over the years and had much to offer.

Death

Catherine has always had an interest in dying, death and the afterlife. She recalls that on a visit to Highgate Cemetery with her close friend Jo-ann that she suddenly had the idea to become a Celebrant. She had heard of it but wasn’t completely certain what the role entailed so dived into investigating what was involved and 5 weeks later was a fully qualified Independent Celebrant. Her passion lies more towards officiating at funerals, serving the family to give their loved one the best farewell she can. She enjoys giving talks to groups of people, educating them about choices when it comes to arranging funerals etc, and gives talks about the role of a Soul Midwife and giving helpful guidance to people who have someone coming to the end of their life.

That same year she heard about Soul Midwives, they offer support to a person coming to the end of their life and their loved ones. Later that year she completed the course with wonderful, compassionate and experienced trainers.

This led on to becoming more involved with essential oils, sound therapy, crystals and other ‘alternative’ modalities that can help offer comfort to the dying and people coming to terms with their loss and grief.

This knowledge and passion continued to grow and she educates people suffering emotional or physical pain about how essential oils can help. That there is an alternative to pharmaceutical products.

Charity

Catherine has always believed in ‘giving back’ to society if you can. She has helped at various charities over her life, either donating money, fundraising or simply giving her time.

Each year she would pick a different charity to fundraise for but the biggest 3 were the British.

Heart Foundation, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy and more recently Wycombe Youth Action.

Activities And Pursuits

Catherine has run 1000s of miles, countless 10ks and half marathons and even managed to get into the London Marathon. She has completed duathlons and is challenging herself to a 10k open water swim in the Serpentine next year. Most of her weekends at the moment are taken up with cycling having 3 big challenges within the space of 6 weeks one of which is a 100mile bike race.

Travel

Catherine loves to travel and has visited many countries one of her favourite cities is Prague – she believes in another lifetime she must have been Czech!

Passions And Ambition

To educate people that they have choices about their health and wellbeing, that they have choices when it comes to dying and funerals. She really wants to help people to help themselves and their family holistically and to know that there are alternative therapies available. Along with her good friend and colleague Karen Small, to deliver and provide healing modalities and support through workshops and safe places.