Get To Know Us! With Rachael

Over the coming months we will be interviewing the team members of CCAT so you all can get to know them a bit better!

First up with have our Founder and Director: Rachael

Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What was the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?

The only career dream I remember having was wanting to be a pop star! As a little kid I was constantly singing, and I was desperate to fulfil the dream. My parents said I used to dance around the house as a baby/toddler to The Summer Son by Texas; they knew I was destined to love music too! So, I started joining choirs and starting singing lessons. As I got older, I adapted the dream to becoming a professional musician and then when I went to university, I discovered music therapy, and then as a professional I discovered creative therapy and the rest is history!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

When I was 17 and I was starting to apply to universities and deciding what I wanted to study, I remember going on a university campus tour with my dad in Bath. I told him I was feeling worried that pursuing a career in music wouldn’t bring me a stable future or income. My dad responded by telling me that it is essential that I pursue a career in what I am passionate about and talented in. Choosing a career path that you have a passion for won’t necessarily fulfil the ‘do a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ but it certainly will result in more good days than bad. He reminded me that no one job has 100% certainty of success and security, but if you love what you do, you will always find a way to make it work.

I remember feeling quite surprised by his response because he is the most logical, rational and practical man I’ve ever known. So, to hear him encourage my dreams despite the uncertainty it might bring, was definitely the best piece of advice I’ve received. If I hadn’t followed that advice I wouldn’t have found my way to creative therapy. Any time I find myself feeling worried about my work, I always remind myself of what my dad told me, and it always affirms to me that I am doing the best thing for me. And the advice has never been wrong- I love what I do, there are an infinite number of better days than bad, and I always find a way to make it work for me.

Q: What does success mean to you?

Making positive change in the world around me. I see myself as successful every time I make someone’s day a bit brighter – maybe it’s through my work and someone has had a real therapeutic breakthrough, maybe it’s as simple as making someone smile. As long as I can pay my bills, keep a roof over my head and fund my chocolate addiction, I’m happy; making millions isn’t important to me. But supporting my community and the people around me is definitely what defines success for me.

Q: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Sunshine peeking through the curtains, good music, coffee and usually Otis (the cat) demanding his breakfast!

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge so far?

Setting up my business from scratch with no experience in anything related to running a business has been the most challenging part of my professional career so far. I have had to do a lot of learning, researching, trial and error, networking, asking, and more learning! It’s something I am still working on and building more knowledge and understanding about. But I am really proud of everything I have accomplished since starting my business two years ago. I can’t wait to see how it grows in the next two!

Q: Who do you admire most and why?

My mum. She is an absolute icon of a woman. She has accomplished so much whilst juggling a million different things, jumping huge hurdles (and she is very short) and being an incredible mum. If I’m ever half the woman she is, I will be proud.

My mum accomplished a PhD whilst working full time and looking after my sister and me when we were still school age. She is unbelievably intelligent and is a big wig in her industry (though she will never admit it), spends time caring for her parents, and is constantly busy with all kinds of work. Sometimes I wonder whether she has magic powers to give her more than 24 hours in a day. And despite all this, she has always had time for me, known what I’m up to and checks in about it all, offers help and support in any way she can, and cheers me up in ways only my mum can (picture her sing-screaming kumbaya whilst attempting to play guitar by my bedroom door as a teenager, or down the phone as an adult).

She has always encouraged my dreams and believed in me, even when I haven’t believed in myself. I know she would move heaven and earth to make me smile, all whilst being a professional, a researcher, an expert in her field, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend; a superhero.

Q: What’s something you’re really bad at?

I am an absolutely dreadful dancer! I really love to dance and move when I hear a good song, or even just when I’m in a good mood I dance around the house. But I am really awful at it. Doesn’t stop me from having fun though!

Q: What are you most grateful for in life?

My amazing support system – all my family and friends. They are all so kind, thoughtful, and fun. They give the best advice and pep talks; making me feel like I have my own personal hype men! I know they are there for me whenever I need them.

Q: How would you describe yourself in three words?

Creative, compassionate and vivacious. Hopefully this aligns with what others see in me too! (keeping all fingers crossed)

Q: What is something that gives you hope?

When I see moments of kindness amongst strangers. Whether it’s something small like picking something up for someone who dropped it, giving a compliment on someone’s outfit, loaning someone a pen; or something bigger like paying for someone’s food shop because otherwise they won’t eat, driving your elderly neighbour to their appointments every week, advocating for someone who cannot help themselves, speaking out against injustice and demanding change.

Giving your time, energy and resources for others without expecting anything in return is absolutely hopeful, and I’m trying my best to notice this more and be proactive in being a part of that hope.

Q: What is something about you that others might find surprising?

There are quite a few random things that I don’t think many people would guess about me. I’ll give a few for fun!

1.        My biggest fear is anything that relates to teeth – wobbly teeth, dentists, people talking about toothache, the list goes on!

2.        I have ADHD and my hobbies will rotate regularly. Currently my hyper-fixation is sudoku puzzles. Last month it was colouring books.

3.        I have never kept a house plant alive on my own for more than 4 months. (Though if you know me, this isn’t that surprising!)

Q: Where do you go for fresh inspiration?

My friends. All my friends are so inspiring to me for all kinds of different reasons. Each of them is so passionate, hard-working, intelligent, creative, kind and compassionate. They inspire me to always do my best in whatever area of life I am finding challenging. They give me the best pep talks, advice and knowledge I could ask for and I always come away from spending time with them feeling ready with a new idea to bring to life.

Q: What’s at the top of your bucket list?

To go to Iceland and see the northern lights! And hopefully this one will be ticked off by the end of 2027 as we are planning a trip to go then. So, I will report back then to update the list!

Q: What’s your favourite song right now?

The whole of Raye’s new album ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ is absolutely incredible. I couldn’t pick a favourite- every single song brings something different and mind-altering to the table. It’s full of amazing musicianship, soul crushing lyricism and complex orchestration. It’s bursting with hope (hence the album name) and every song reaches something in me I wasn’t expecting. A masterpiece of an album. I reckon it’ll be my music highlight of the decade, the century, the indefinite lifetime!