About AG Derwen
 I am a poet, pilgrim, storyweaver, companion of the dying and a voice for the Dead, a griefworker, a social entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and explainer of things. I travel and teach, speak and facilitate internationally specialising in (but not limited to) ceremony, ritual, ancestral lament and community grassroots care of the dying, dead and bereaved. I am author of 3 books published by Wysewomen Press, the “Lost Rites” trilogy addresses the consequences of the loss of indigenous rites of passage in Europe and wherever the descendants of Europe have settled. I use story, poetry and ceremony to contribute to decolonisation and systemic healing. My professional career was in youth work then public and third sector policy development; I care about and work at the levels of the personal, collective and systemic whether as a doula, a speaker or consultant.
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EXPERIENCE
(Work and Training)
2024 - present: Co-Founder and Director of Earth Hospice / Hafan Ddaear Community Benefit Society (Click here for more info)Â
Jan 2025:Â Guest Facilitator for the Companion Voices on Holding Space for Grief
2024:Â Guest Facilitator on Ecologies of the Imagination Programme
2023 and 2025:Â Guest Facilitator in Czechia leading Lament retreats
2024 and 2025:Â Co-Facilitator with Tuomas Rounakari on Bear Awakens Retreats
2024: Author of Lost Rites: Ancestral Landscape Book published by Wysewomen Publishing
2023 – 2014: Kincentric Leadership Programme A Global community leadership programme with Indigenous elders
2022 – present: Director of AG Derwen Ltd Books, Talks, Ceremonies, Counselling and Consultancy
2017 – present: Director and Lead Facilitator Sacred Circle Training Co CIC offering Death Doula courses
2016 – present: Lecturer in Spiritual Care  Bangor University
2011 – present: Celebrant  Funerals, Weddings, Baby Blessings
1994 – present: Death and Grief Doula Accompanying the dying and bereaved    Â
2022: Author of Lost Rites: Community of Grief Book published by Wysewomen Publishing
2021: Author of Lost Rites: Ceremony and Ritual for Death and Dying Book published by Wysewomen Publishing
2020 – 2021: Somatic Abolitionism Year long course in Anti-Racism practice with Resmaa Menakem
2016: Birth Doula Course Red Tent Doula Preparation
2015 – 2016: Bereavement Counselling Course and Voluntary work with Cruse Bereavement Care
 2013 – 2016: Training Mentor and Group Facilitator OneSpirit Interfaith Seminary
2014 – 2015: Manager and Director Greenhouse Project, Bangor
2011 – 2013: Interfaith Ministry and Spiritual Counselling OneSpirit Interfaith Seminary
2012 – 2013: Live in Carer Person with Dementia
2008 – present: Consultant specialising in Public Policy Self Employed
2009 – 2010: Community Engagement and Communications Manager Cheshire East Commissioning for Adult Social Care
2007 – 2008: MA in International Relations and Peace Studies University of Liverpool, Politics Dept
2005 – 2008: Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Dru International School of Yoga
2007 – 2009: Community Engagement Manager Sefton Equalities Partnership
2005 – 2010: Youth Policy Development (Voluntary) Youth Charter for Sports, Arts and Culture
2005 – 2007: Road Safety Manager Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
2005: Project Manager Cheshire SureStart
2003 – 2005: PGDip in Management Warwick Business School
2003 – 2005: Graduate Management Trainee National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government
2003 - 2010: Committee Member and Chair of the Management Committee Dingle Community Learning Programme, Liverpool (an IPS)
1999 – 2003: Language Tutor (French and English)
1999 – 2003: BA (Hons) Degree in French (2:1) University of Liverpool
1998 – 1999: Sales and Marketing Assistant Zeta Communications Ltd
1998 – 2004: Youth Worker and Instructor Cheshire ACF and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
1998 – 1999: Certificate in Business Administration Pershore College