Changing a career over the age of 50 is often very daunting, but for one former BBC Radio York presenter, this has given her the chance to fulfil two long-held dreams.
Anna Wallace spent more than 30 years working for the BBC in York. Most recently she was the voice of the popular Afternoon Show, with co-presenter Adam Tomlinson.
But a combination of Covid and cutbacks in 2019 saw them taken off the air as BBC managers decided to reduce the number of daytime shows from four to three.
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Anna took voluntary redundancy and has now retrained as a family and funeral celebrant with the UKSOC (UK Society of Celebrants).
Anna has also decided to go to university for the first time too – she begins her degree next week at York St John University, studying mental health, counselling and education.
Many of the skills that Anna acquired over the years as a broadcaster have come in very useful in her new career as a celebrant. With the skills she acquires through her degree she hopes to offer much-needed grief counselling to the bereaved families she works with – a service which is under tremendous pressure now.
So, what is a celebrant?
Speaking to David Dunning on the Late Show (listen again here at YorkMix Radio) she said: “I am certainly not a vicar! I am though full qualified to perform both funeral and wedding ceremonies, I am independent and usually employed by a funeral director or a wedding planner on behalf of a family or a couple.
“Many more people us a celebrant these days, it’s a way of reflecting their true wishes, I can offer non-religious services as well as services with prayers and spiritual themes, essentially every ceremony I write is bespoke and it’s always written with the utmost care and love, something that really matters to me.
“According to the Good Funeral Guide, a celebrant is expected to be a good listener, a good writer, and a good performer.
“This is a rare combination but, I really believe I have these skills in spades, because of the 3 decades I spent in broadcasting.” Says Anna who also specializes in baby naming and vow renewals.
“To be honest, it’s possible to have a ceremony for anything these days, some people even have them to bless their new home or business.”
Anna, who lives in Norton, says: “Essentially if you’re looking for someone to write and deliver a non-religious or semi-religious funeral, wedding, or baby naming ceremony a celebrant is almost always your best choice.
“When it comes to choosing one, you’re best off looking for someone who shares your values and is demonstrably good at their job.
“They should be your representative on the day. In short, you’re looking for ‘your kind of person. This new career I hope will become the most fulfilling and uplifting thing I have ever done, and I hope it will continue for many years to come”
Find out more about Anna’s role as a celebrant here.