Ruth's Story.
I’ve always been one of life’s optimists - the sort of person who can spot a silver lining even when there’s a storm brewing. But in September 2024, my optimism met its match. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and for a while, everything felt pretty bleak. I was scared, lost, and couldn’t see a single glimmer of light.
Then the clouds shifted. As I began to make sense of my diagnosis and treatment plan, I realised that while I couldn’t control what was happening to me, I could control what I did with it. So I made a big decision: to reshape my life into something that felt more ‘me’.
And that’s when the silver started to appear. One morning, the post landed with the latest edition of my magazine subscription, Positive News.
On the cover was a beaming woman under the headline 'Joyful Jobs.' She was a celebrant.
Something Clicked.
As I read her story, something clicked - this was exactly what I’d been looking for. A role that brought together my years as a filmmaker and feature writer, my love of connecting with people, and my endless curiosity about their stories.
I signed up for celebrant training that very day, and I haven’t looked back since.
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Now, as a celebrant, I get to help people tell their stories in creative, joyful, and meaningful ways. Whether it’s a wedding, vow renewal, naming, or re-naming ceremony, I’ll make sure it’s full to the brim with warmth, laughter and personality.
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And because I haven’t hung up my filmmaker hat, I also offer event videography and content creation through my other venture, Story Stuudio.
New Chapters.
I live in Birmingham, so I will be celebranting all over the West Midlands, including Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. I also spend lots of time at my bases in Mid Wales, North and West Yorkshire, Cambridge, London and Brighton, so I will be celebranting in those places too. The great thing about being Birmingham-based is that I'm conveniently right in the middle of it all!
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I'm ridiculously excited for this new chapter of my story. I’ve come through treatment feeling fitter than ever - my hair and my zest for life are making a fabulous comeback! Cancer has a way of showing you what really matters, and for me it's connection with family and friends. My twins have gone off to uni and I miss them terribly, but it means I have more time for doing fun, silly and joyful stuff with people who make my heart sing. And life has surprised me in the loveliest way - I’ve reconnected with my childhood sweetheart.
But that’s another story…
