Hello, Heroes: Julie

I’m very happy to say I’m  a psychotherapist working for The Cellar Trust as a talking therapies counsellor, working with people from all walks of life . I love helping people shed issues, heal and look forwards in their lives, it’s life affirming. 

It felt pretty amazing to be chosen as an unsung hero – such a surprise to be nominated – and to be chosen out of all the nominations too. I usually operate behind the scenes, so to stand up and be visible was new for me.

A local shop called Hedgehog Organics, selling great organic products, nominated me. They have given away many hundreds of our Morsbags*, they have helped fund our operation by buying us thousands of bag labels  and they also operate as a local drop off point for fabric. 

*A Morsbag is a strong, reusable, recycled, unique bag made from textiles otherwise destined for landfill and given away for free to replace plastic bags.

After the initial apprehension, Aida really put me at my ease, I relaxed and was surprised to find I was enjoying myself. 

The team were really professional, worked together well and nothing was too much trouble. It was rather surreal to have passers by watch and wonder who we were! 

In 2025, I’m looking forward to Bradford being the centre of things, a destination for so many people to come and enjoy the year of culture and on our doorstep.  I’m very much looking forward to the Turner prize at Cartwright Hall and lots of the music events. 

I’d really like to see visitors fall in love with Bradford, it’s diverse and friendly people, beautiful parks and magnificent buildings. To relocate here, invest here and be involved in Bradford’s continued regeneration.

Learn how to make your very own Morsbag via the Make A Morsbag website. Aïda Muluneh’s exhibition Nationhood: Memory and Hope opens in January 2025 at Impressions Gallery, Bradford.