Roger has had a sailing background from early childhood with relatives in dinghies to keel boats in his latter years. Much time was spent racing in Salcombe or cruising with friends. No stranger to water then… but there has always been a longing to go on a narrowboat on the waterways. The opportunity arrived last year when the Lord led an extraordinary path to Litania, a 38ft day boat. Whilst considering the purchase I was blessed by Rob and Trish to go on a proof of concept voyage for the charity. Just me, a sleeping bag and some food. What an experience! One highlight of that trip was waking to the sound of a reed warbler shouting his head off! Evidence was stacking up leading to the purchase. This was completed at the end of June 2025 and opened a door to the world of boating. What a wonderful world it is. I have been quite amazed at the sense of community on the Somerset Coal Canal (SCC) (just off the Kennet and Avon near the Dundas aqueduct) where Litania is moored.
Litania has primarily been purchased to provide a working platform on the canal network to deliver the Remembering with Clay project for the charity Loss and Life. Handling grief through creativity brings a gentle process for the bereaved to process their emotions and feelings. Creating space for conversations and giving signposting to further help is key to our work.
I am looking forward to a new season with the clay project onboard Litania.
Background:
Roger’s wife Teresa died in 2014 after a seven year cancer journey. There wasn’t much help and support available at that time. I was acutely aware of the lack of materials to help the bereaved. Loss and Life was born out of that experience in 2021. More information can be found at: https://lossandlife.org
Roger has walked alongside people experiencing grief since 2017. He is trained as a Clay Conversations Practitioner with the Clay Therapy Community.
He also works in a voluntary capacity with the following organisations:- AtaLoss.org (SW Area Ambassador); Care For the Family (Widowed Young Support project); Rowcroft Hospice (Bereavement Support Volunteer)
Previously he has also been involved with the delivery of ‘The Bereavement Journey’ online and delivered Bereavement Care Awareness training for Care For the Family.