Rachel Evans
Newport,UK
Summary
Dedicated MBACP Counsellor and Independent Celebrant offering a compassionate, pluralistic approach to mental health and bereavement support. With 17 years of leadership experience in previous roles and advanced training in grief and loss, I deliver empathetic, inclusive services tailored to the unique needs of diverse individuals as well as bereaved families.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work history
Sessional/Associate Counsellor (Self Employed)
Workplace Bereavement Advocacy
2026.04 - 2026.05
- Ad hoc remote counselling provided to clients who are experiencing the pain of grief and loss
- Working with companies throughout the UK on behalf of Workplace Bereavement Advocacy
- Remote
Counsellor (Owner)
Campbell Counselling & Celebrancy
Newport, South Wales
2024.08 - 2026.05
- Offer person-centred counselling, grounded in the Humanistic Existential approach
- Work is pluralistic, recognising that each client benefits from different therapeutic methods at different stages
- Dedicated to improving access to counselling for LGBTQ+ clients and an inclusive practice that welcomes individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations
Independent Celebrant (Self Employed)
Campbell Counselling & Celebrancy
Newport, South Wales
2021.05 - 2026.05
- Conduct personalised funeral services that honour the life, values, and beliefs of the deceased, working closely with families to plan every detail of the funeral. Presenting bespoke eulogies, tributes, and readings ensuring a ceremony that is meaningful to all involved
- Coordinate efforts with funeral directors, crematorium staff, and other service providers
- Offer emotional support and guidance to bereaved families throughout the funeral process
- Facilitate various types of ceremonies, such as non-religious, spiritual, and interfaith services
Safety Improvement Manager, Station Manager East Wales, Retail Standards Auditor, Customer Services Team Leader
Arriva Trains Wales
Cardiff
1999.05 - 2016.04
- Accumulated 17 years of diverse experience within the railway industry
- Managed a dedicated customer relations team, collaborating with train performance units and external rail partners
- Served as a Retail Standards Auditor, ensuring platform safety and optimal working conditions through DSE and ergonomic evaluations
- Reported infrastructural issues to the Station Management Team
- Undertook Fire Precautions Manager responsibilities, overseeing fire safety protocols
- Appointed as Station Manager for East Wales, directing operations at Bridgend, Swansea, and Newport Train Stations
- Supervised a workforce of approximately 60 employees across multiple locations
- Performed on-call duties to ensure continuous operational excellence
- Analysed and updated safety procedures at stations and depots
- Led monthly Health and Safety Meetings, driving regional safety initiatives and compliance
Education
AIM Level 4 Diploma - Counselling Practice
Coleg Gwent
Newport, South WalesCertificate - Marriage and Family Celebrancy
Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - undefined
Livingworks
Certificate - Grief Facilitation
Grief Journey UK
Certificate - Funeral Celebrancy
Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
The Foundation for Infant Loss Training Course - undefined
Foundation for Infant Loss Training
Level 3 Awareness - Children & Young People's Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care
Bachelor of Arts - French/Spanish
University of Wales, College of Cardiff
Cardiff, South WalesA Levels - French (A), Spanish (B), German (C)
Crosskeys Tertiary College
Newport, South Wales10 GCSE O-Level's - Grades A-C
Bassaleg Comprehensive School
Newport, South WalesSkills
- Trauma-Informed
- Safeguarding
- Public Speaking
- Empathy
- Patience
- Adaptability
- Trust Building
- Confidentiality
- Authenticity
- Client-Centred approach
- Therapeutic communication
- Phone counselling
- Grief-counselling
References
- Jane, Nicholls, janenichollscounselling@gmail.com, Jane Nicholls Counselling
- James, Tovey, james@toveybros.co.uk, Tovey Bros. Funeral Directors
Voluntary Work
MIND Mid and North Powys, Bereavement Supporter (Remote), 2025-04, Current, Provide telephone support to bereaved individuals in the Powys region.
Affiliations
- Registered Member of the British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy MBACP 414001
- Member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
Timeline
Sessional/Associate Counsellor (Self Employed)
Workplace Bereavement Advocacy
2026.04 - 2026.05
Counsellor (Owner)
Campbell Counselling & Celebrancy
2024.08 - 2026.05
Independent Celebrant (Self Employed)
Campbell Counselling & Celebrancy
2021.05 - 2026.05
Safety Improvement Manager, Station Manager East Wales, Retail Standards Auditor, Customer Services Team Leader
Arriva Trains Wales
1999.05 - 2016.04
Certificate - Marriage and Family Celebrancy
Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - undefined
Livingworks
Certificate - Grief Facilitation
Grief Journey UK
Certificate - Funeral Celebrancy
Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
The Foundation for Infant Loss Training Course - undefined
Foundation for Infant Loss Training
Level 3 Awareness - Children & Young People's Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care
Bachelor of Arts - French/Spanish
University of Wales, College of Cardiff
A Levels - French (A), Spanish (B), German (C)
Crosskeys Tertiary College
10 GCSE O-Level's - Grades A-C
Bassaleg Comprehensive School
AIM Level 4 Diploma - Counselling Practice
Coleg Gwent