Our Story
Meet Andy
Co-Founder of River and Raven
My passion is making sure individuals can access alternate wellbeing services readily and easily. I do not want others to suffer through pain and turmoil not knowing where to go for help.
Beginning in 2014 I went through some mental health issues that spanned for several years. This led to the breakdown of my marriage and not knowing where to turn. Prescription drugs and working on the railways was not a viable option, coupled with an aversion to seek help from counselling.
In April 2015 I was solo and moved into my own house. The new life was sure to bring me the happiness and peace of mind I was seeking. By October I was still blaming others for my state of mind. I then realized it was me that was unhappy and had issues, and I needed to get some help.
I chose alternative help via a shamanic practitioner as I didn’t feel mainstream NHS was for me and didn’t want it on record, oh the shame! This lead on to a variety of healing modalities, finding what suited me best to help the ongoing healing process.
In late 2021 I met Marlo through a mutual friend and mentor, our ethos and stories are very similar which led to the dream to set up an alternative means to help people as the mainstream is overwhelmed and not for everyone. This is my passion and driving force, to help others.
Through the years I have studied certain modalities, below is a very brief overview.
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My Reiki journey began in August 2016 with Level 1 and I completed my Level 4, Master Teacher in August 2021.
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My love for animals saw me using Reiki with my own dogs with much success, I decided to formally train in the Let Animals Lead methodology, I studied and completed both Level 1 & Level 2 in the summer of 2022.
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I have always chatted to my animals, so thought I’d take it further with courses in animal communication, I have completed 4 courses now, starting in 2015 through to 2023. This coupled with animal reiki is just amazing.
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I completed Year 1, Foundation Year at the Psychosynthesis Trust, graduating in July 2019, this was mostly for personal development but gives great insight to the world of transpersonal psychology and how to hold council for people.
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I am also a qualified Mental Health First Aider, this followed many years of being approached by others, I offer the individual to be ‘seen and heard’ and this is now part of everyday life.
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I also have a love of crystals, and have attended healing courses to use these since 2018, I use these both with my animal and human clients alongside Reiki or Animal Communication.
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From Andy
Meet Marlo
Co-Founder of River and Raven
Los Angeles 2001: September 11th changed my life forever as everything I knew tilted on its axis. My adventure travel business was forced to close, and the layers of stressors led to a divorce shortly thereafter. I’d fallen into deep depression from personal loss and an unfathomable despair for our world as the dust settled from the Twin Towers.
Being able to access a variety of alternative, wellbeing modalities such as meditation, Reiki, and retreats offered immense support alongside traditional counselling. The daily practices I cultivated helped me through the rough patches and have continued to support me to this day. I trained in many of those alternative therapies and have used them to help others on their journeys.
In 2012 my world changed yet again. I moved from LA to St Ives, Cambridgeshire. I felt the void of the diverse offerings of alternative therapies I had in California. The saying “If you can’t find it, create it” led to founding a monthly, community group in Huntingdon which is still actively meeting and lead by the community since 2018. ​
I opened Manifest Boutique in 2017 in the town centre of St Ives. My passion is building community, and it has been a place where like-minded souls can feel safe to gather and connect. I use my qualifications as a trained massage therapist, spiritual and life coach, Reiki Level 4 Master Teacher, Shamanic practitioner and teacher, ceremonialist and facilitator to provide support for those seeking alternative paths to wellness.
Multiple global upheavals are impacting individuals personally and professionally and it is taking a toll on their wellbeing. Since opening, my role is in the trenches as a frontline intake for people in crisis of creating a safe container for those in need and signposting them where it is beyond our scope. I’ve effectively been providing wellbeing triage for countless members of the Cambridgeshire community.
When Andy and I met, we knew we were of one mind and shared vision. From our unified drive to make wellbeing accessible to everyone, River and Raven CIC was born. Our passion and vision is the legacy we are building for generations to come for a holistic, well community.
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From Marlo
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