03/12/2025
As well as my general massage practice here at the Blue Lotus, I specialise in treating people living with dementia.
This means it's often more appropriate to treat a person in their own home.
If you're new to my work, or interested in how I started my specialism, read on ...
How lovely! Over the weekend we reached 500 followers!
I say we, because that involves every single one of you following my work.
Thank you 💞
I really hope that you find value in the work I do and the titbits I share.
For those of you who are new to my work, here's my story:
I blame mum for opening the door for me working with people living with dementia.
Let’s rewind to the 90s first. I looked after traumatised children, providing a safe, loving place to live and help them work through some of their hurt. At home, I played with herbs and essential oils, although it wasn’t until I moved to Cornwall in the late 90s I qualified and established my massage and aromatherapy practice. Over time this expanded into educating, speaking and consulting about touch therapy for people living with dementia. I’m always deepening my trauma informed practice, adjusting techniques to empower people to get the best out of their therapy.
Back to mum! She worked in accounts in a local nursing home and thought my services would be beneficial for some of the more isolated residents. After a chat with the manager, I started working once a week with people who would change my career trajectory forever.
Undertaking regular training helps me best serve my clients but I found nothing in the complementary health field to support people living with dementia. I read voraciously about dementia and attended general courses. Having spotted a need within the complementary therapy industry and care profession I developed the course now known as “Massaging Persons Living with Dementia” which won the FHT Excellence in Practice Award for Innovation. I’ve received further recognition for my work since and gone onto develop the advanced 2-day course for bodyworkers and my new course “Aromatherapy for Persons Living with Dementia” training for aromatherapists, also recently shortlisted for an innovation award.
Sadly, a huge twist of irony meant mum developed a mild cognitive impairment at the time I was branching out and starting to facilitate my course. As her disease developed into early onset Alzheimer’s touch became increasingly valuable in our relationship and mum was always generous in sharing her knowledge and experience to inform my practice and teaching. She lives with advanced dementia now, but still teaches me, I just have to listen.
As well as my general clinic at the Blue Lotus Therapy Centre near Redruth, Cornwall, I offer therapy to people living with dementia in my community. I teach others how to specialise in this field, becoming more inclusive and confident in their practice. Treating a person whose capacity has been affected can be daunting, but with the right tools and knowledge, can become a vital part of your service.
I love the relationships that clients and I share. Supporting inner and outer connections, stories, healing journeys and meeting needs make a vital difference to a person’s health and quality of life. This in turn often makes the journey for people living with dementia and their care partners much smoother.
When I’m not working you can find me resting, reading and walking. Nature is my sanctuary and tonic so when my partner and I sold our house in 2016 we bought some land where we have been creating a permaculture, biodiverse food forest providing us with food, medicine, joy, flowers and an increasing array of nature’s visitors. The permaculture principles “Earth care, people care, fair share” align with my own which is reflected in my practice and life choices.
Any queries, do DM me. It’ll be my joy to connect with you.
Warm wishes, Nicolle
