Meet Richard Conradi, who recently completed a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
Meet Richard Conradi, who recently completed a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
Richard’s fascination for counselling stemmed from his late sister’s position as founder, in 1975, of The Norwich Centre, the first charity in the UK dedicated to providing only person-centred counselling.
Richard retired, at 60, from his career in electrical engineering, and became a volunteer for many charities, including The Cancer Counselling Trust, his local Youth Justice team and Victim Support’s Witness Service.
Whilst receiving invaluable bereavement support after his sister died, his counsellor suggested he consider training to be a counsellor himself. Richard thought he was too old, as he was then 75, but he was reassured that he had invaluable life experience. He completed his 4-year Diploma training, graduated at the age of 80, and subsequently describes his time as a student at West Herts College as life changing.
During the course, Richard obtained a placement at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care in St Albans, at which he now works as a qualified counsellor, providing support to those with life-limiting illnesses and their relatives. He is also now a counsellor at The Road Victims Trust and Future Dreams, a breast cancer charity.
Reflecting on his journey, Richard said:
“I am truly grateful that I found a new vocation at this time in my life, and am delighted that my age seems only to have enhanced the work I am doing”.