Cheri Gillings is a “momma bear” to one girl child and a “nanny bear” to two grandbabies. They are “her favorite beings on the whole earth.” 

Cheri works with people for personal change. A counselor, clinical hypnotherapist, and coach but really she’s creative. A round thing fitting into the squareness of life, always finding that creativity just loves to spill over the sides and seep into everything. 

Read the some poems written by Cheri

Cheri got involved in Those Left Behind after meeting Debbion at her market stall. Initially, Cheri was thinking about the loss of her adoptive mum in 2010 and the ending of her marriage in 2015. 

In the process of the work and workshops to develop the group, she realised that loss and grief were constant in her life – a presence from the very beginning that had not been recognised as that. 

The work produced though intense, was well received, and being creative on purpose has led to some big life changes – like working part-time, studying, and continuing to be part of the fabulous collective that Debbion has created in Stourbridge. 

Cover of poetry book ‘Those Left Behind’ with five poems from Cheri in this.

Rhoseli Bay, Gower, Wales. Photo by Cheri Gillings whilst on holiday with Arti August 2023