8 Dungannon Herald BIG INTERVIEW Thursday, July 5, 2018

Jackie Grimley

Jackie Grimley’s career path beganin hairdressing and followed anumber of detours, including re-tail, production, catering and of-

fice work, but it was a fascination withfeet – sparked by the excellent standardof care given to her son Jack for thecondition talipes – which finally ledJackie to live out her dream as areflexologist.

And it’s a dream that’s already creat-ing great dividends for Jackie, as she’srecently picked up a prestigious awardfor her work – which includes helpingfamilies of children with autism and de-mentia carers - and has just learnedshe’s in the running for another honourat a glittering ceremony later this year.

The Killeeshil mum of five and grand-mother of three picked up the FamiliesFirst NI Healthcare Provider Award at aglamorous event in the Crowne PlazaBelfast last month, but Jackie says she’sstill “in complete shock” to have beennominated by her valued clients.

Helping others through the use of re-flexology - a system of massage used torelieve tension and treat illness, basedon the theory that there are reflex pointson the feet, hands, and head linked toevery part of the body – is the inspira-tion behind Jackie’s business, SerenityHolistics Wellness CIC, which is based inThe Cube at Dungannon Enterprise Cen-tre.

Still employed full-time with MuldoonTransport in Clonmore, Jackie told theHerald how she first felt compelled tofollow her dream. “When my son Jackwas born he had a condition known asTalipes (or Club Foot), a birth defect thatcan affect one or both feet.

“It is a condition that required manyhospital visits, along with three opera-tions over a period of four years.

“This condition was completely new tome and I was amazed at the way inwhich, after all the years of work doneby his consultant Catherine Duffy andher team, how the procedures succeededin making Jack’s feet perfect.

“This procedure fascinated me andgave me an interest in feet and how ourbody works, but it was not until manyyears later when I decided to take a lookat courses in Dungannon Further Educa-tion College that I came across Reflexol-ogy, and again it stirred my interest infeet. After spending a year learning thebasics on Reflexology I decided to take itfurther and contacted Josephine Gal-lagher at the School of New Beginnings;it was here that I worked for 18 monthsto obtain my Diploma in Reflexology andI have never looked back.

“Since then I have continued to workin my full-time job as an admin assistantwith Muldoon Transport, which has en-abled me to continue to learn and devel-op my business, Serenity Holistics Well-ness CIC, to where it is now.”

Despite her business and work com-mitments, family is central to Jackie’slife, and she’s keenly aware of the value

of people over possessions, a quality shecredits to her late mother, Mamie.

“I was the youngest of a family of sixbrought up in Brocagh and that has leftme with very happy childhood memo-ries,” she explains.

“I am mother to Julie, Raymond, An-thony Jamie and Jack, and I am extreme-ly proud of each of them who are all hardworking and successful in their own ca-reer choice.

“I am also blessed to have three lovelygrandchildren in my life, Aimee who is13, Ella 10 and Sinead, who is seven. Butby having a family grow up when twin-tubs and red phone boxes were popularhas made me realise in later years thatlife is not always about what we have init, but more about ‘who we have in it’that counts.

“I am grateful to have had the supportof my children and husband Jerome tohelp me get to where I am today, my sis-ter Linda also plays her part in lookingafter me still and I really value her ad-vice, help and support in my business,

“It was my late mother Mamie whoplayed the biggest part in moulding meinto the person I am today, she inspiredme my whole life and I admired her hardwork, commitment love and dedicationto her family for all her life with us. Sad-ly she is no longer with us but I take onboard what she taught me in life and Iam blessed to have had her as my moth-er. Her love and support was immeasura-ble.

“Without the support and words of en-couragement from all my family I wouldnot be where I am today.”

The lives of Jackie’s clients are just asimportant, she says, because her job as atherapist allows her to listen to them andtheir concerns in a “safe environmentwith no judgement”.

“The best part of being a therapist isthe clients you meet and how they takeyou into their own journey in life; theyfeel a connection with you in a safe envi-ronment with no judgement.

“The clients can be themselves andopen up to talk about areas of their lifethat may be affecting them, be that pasttrauma from childhood, low moods,work-life balance or just some time forthemselves to relax, unwind andbreathe.

“Seeing a client change and take backcontrol of their life is one of the best feel-ings in the world. In today’s society weall live a hectic life with work, family,health and financial stresses, and it iseasy to feel overwhelmed by the seem-

ingly endless array of tasks, all of whichcan impact on our health and well-being.

“Making some lifestyle changes andtaking some time out for ourselves helpswith the feel-good factor, in turn giving aboost to our physical, mental, emotionaland general well-being.”

As well as providing therapiesthrough the auspices of her business,and helping local charities through sev-eral Holistic Fairs in Dungannon earlierthis year, Jackie also runs workshops forparents and carers who support childrenand adults with autism, learning difficul-ties, complex and vulnerable needs.

The workshops teach new skills tohelp reduce stress, anxiety and tension,and help improve mood, encourage so-cial interaction and increase receptive-ness.

Jackie also hosts training events forfellow therapists, with visiting teachersrenowned in the field, including AngelaTelford and Mauricio Kruchik, with Can-cer Care Reflexologist Claire O’Grady al-ready lined up for September.

Full details of the exciting visitingtrainers can be obtained by contactingJackie in her role as the Federation ofHolistic Therapists’ South Tyrone co-or-dinator, which sees her organising regu-lar networking events for members, non-members and students alike.

“Since the group started I havearranged monthly meetings where wehave heard from speakers like JosephineGallagher (Angel Sanctuary), Dr AileenO’Kane (All illness begins in the gut) andTrudy Arthurs to name a few.

“These meetings have proved to be apopular and light-hearted way to con-nect, learn and share with local thera-pists.

“It has been rewarding for me, as itprovides a platform for therapists to dis-cuss any concerns they may have, andhelps spread the word on what is hap-pening in the world of holistic therapies.

“My aim for these meetings is to helptake away that fear of loneliness as it ismy belief that together we really arestronger and have a lot to offer.

“Anyone who may have something tooffer this group with 100 plus members,should it be advice on social media, run-ning a business, GDPR First aid training,or any other area of training please getin touch. We would love to hear fromyou. New members are always welcomeand you can get in contact with me onthe following number: Jackie GrimleyMFHT, FRT, Family First Award (besthealthcare provider 2018) 078 7964 4604.”

Jumping feet firstinto reflexology

Award winning Jackie Grimley saysher job as a therapist allows her tohelp people on their personal journeysin a judgement-free environment

Jackie Grimley. Photo: Michael Cullen

Thursday, July 5, 2018 BIG INTERVIEW Dungannon Herald 9

The Big Interview BY ANNAMAYMcNALLY a.mcnally@dungannonherald.com

Jackie with one of her clients Dom.

Jackie helps to organise training workshops.

Jackie Grimley with her grandchildren Sinead, Aimee, and Ella Hughes. MC 7