Vera Waters

With a background in education, Vera's career and life experience has taken her into many varied areas and situations. Trouble Shooter, Pioneer, an Agent of Change – this is how the Press have described her over the years. From Berlin to Australia and then over 12 years in America where she is billed as an inspirational and motivational speaker or as the Virginians say a ‘Stem-Winder’.

After holding an important senior position at a Preston based psychiatric hospital, Vera found herself advising Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Constabulary. She was the first private counsellor to be retained by a police force and was awarded a rare Home Office Research Grant. She taught police officers of all ranks in 21 forces how to approach people with mental health issues and worked debriefing officers after traumatic events, such as the 1985 Manchester Airport disaster.

As well as writing and speaking to audiences, Vera is a prodigious reader with a collection of over 3,500 books at home. Her publishing company Penn Cottage Books recently celebrated 25 years, marking the anniversary of her decision to self-publish her first book. A rare occurrence at the time.