Heart-led Celebrants

Heart-led Celebrants is a dynamic movement of autonomous independent celebrants who have been certified by Heart-led Ceremonies Celebrant Training. They are certified to rigorous standards in order to exemplify best-practice celebrancy. A Heart-led Celebrant creates, writes and officiates beautiful ceremonies with integrity, acceptance and creativity.

Celebrants who feature the Heart-led Celebrants logo are certified, and have professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

We are pleased to reintroduce face-to-face training here in Cumbria while still offering the option for those who wish to train by Zoom. The course content remains the same. The face-to-face training runs from 9am to 5pm each day.

Are you interested in training to become a Heart-led Celebrant?

Heart-led Ceremonies Celebrant Training is creative, practical, inspiring and thought-provoking (and for some people, completely life changing), but it also involves a huge level of commitment from the celebrant-in-training not only during the face-to-face training but afterwards with ongoing tuition.

Unlike some training organisations, our certificates are issued on aptitude not attendance. This guarantees that our graduates become working celebrants of the highest professional standard in the industry. We make no apologies for our high standards as we take the role of celebrancy seriously, and we honour the fact that grieving families are vulnerable, and that all ceremonies will be remembered by the client.

Regardless of the type of ceremony you wish to create and officiate, we expect a high level of professionalism from all our graduates. This begins with the commitment they bring to their training.

ABOUT YOUR TUTORS

Veronika Robinson

Veronika Robinson is a highly experienced working celebrant with 26 years of experience. She has had the privilege of officiating in New Zealand, Australia and England where she has written and led all manner of ceremonies, including weddings, handfastings, blessingways, namings, divorce healing, miscarriage memorial, conscious conception, funerals, memorials, interment of ashes, sagesse, menarche, and house blessings.

Veronika has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing, and is an author (fiction and non-fiction), journalist, public speaker, workshop leader, and metaphysician.

She is honoured to be a celebrant for Gift of a Wedding, a charity which provides weddings for couples where one of them is terminally ill. Veronika is the founder/facilitator of Penrith’s first Death Café which seeks to open up honest discussion around death and dying.

Veronika is the editor of The Celebrant magazine, an international publication which seeks to educate and inspire celebrants of all types and at all stages in their career. thecelebrantmagazine.co.uk

Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson’s whole career has been centred around his voice, and other people’s. He is highly experienced as a celebrant, trained actor, drama coach, voiceover artist, singer, broadcaster, compère, and ventriloquist. Paul is an excellent communicator and teacher, and has a sixth sense about how to relate to individuals, groups and audiences.

On our course, Paul shares insights and techniques on how to make the best of your personality, how to build your self-confidence, control any nerves you may have… and of course, your voice, your presentation skills and body language.

He will also look at how to engage with clients before a ceremony – and how to be the glue that holds any ceremony together.

paulrobinsonproductions.co.uk

Training Courses

The differences between the two courses are similar to the differences between a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree.

Certificate in Celebrancy

(weddings, namings, funerals)

Starts with THREE days of one-to-one sessions

(Three hours on Zoom followed by independent learning and course work for the rest of each day or face-to-face training here in Cumbria from 9am to 5pm.)

One-to-one tuition in celebrancy with Veronika Robinson (Funerals, weddings, namings)
One-to-one voice and presentation coaching with Paul Robinson
Heart-led Ceremonies (book)
Guardians of the Threshold Study Guide
Workbook
1 year of back issues of The Celebrant magazine
FREE listing on the exclusive Heart-led Celebrants Directory
Monthly group CPD (various aspects of celebrancy)
Ongoing support and script appraisal
Monthly group CPD (voice and presentation)

Certificate in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual

(this covers all rites of passage/human transitions)

Starts with FIVE days initial training

(Three hours on Zoom followed by independent learning and course work for the rest of each day or face-to-face training here in Cumbria from 9am to 5pm.)

One-to-one tuition in celebrancy with Veronika Robinson (Funerals, weddings, namings)
One-to-one voice and presentation coaching with Paul Robinson
Heart-led Ceremonies (book)
Guardians of the Threshold Study Guide
Workbook
2 years of back issues of The Celebrant magazine
FREE listing on the exclusive Heart-led Celebrants Directory
Monthly group CPD (various aspects of celebrancy)
Monthly group CPD (voice and presentation)
Ongoing support and script appraisal
One-to-one tuition in other rites of passage
Masterclass: Mastering the eulogy
Masterclass: Mastering the love story
Masterclass: Mastering metaphysical marketing
Masterclass: Mastering a higher heart frequency
Masterclass: Mastering aligned client manifestation
Masterclass: Mastering bespoke rituals (for any rite of passage)
Masterclass: Mastering the use of nature in ceremonies
Copy of The Blessingway Book by Veronika Sophia Robinson

How does it work

The training is divided into seven components with sessions via zoom:

One-to-one tutorials with celebrant trainer Veronika Robinson

One-to-one tutorials with voice and presentation coach Paul Robinson

Written assignments based on the modules of the chosen course

Independent learning time

Ongoing mentoring/script appraisal beyond the initial sessions

Monthly CPD on various aspects of heart-led celebrancy*

Monthly CPD specifically on voice and presentation*

*Group CPD with other Heart-led Celebrants (2 hours each month). These are optional, but included in the support offered. The tutorial component of the training with Veronika (via Zoom or face-to-face training here in Cumbria), runs from 9am to noon UK time (Zoom), each day of your course or 9am to 5pm if in person. (If you have childcare commitments, please let me know, as this time can be altered if necessary). When booking dates for training, please allow a full day and evening for each day of your course as you are required to fully complete all written assignments, as well as engaging in independent learning time between tutorials.

As part of the course, you will also receive:

Heart-led Ceremonies book

Guardians of the Threshold Study Guide

Workbook

Dedicated support from your tutors

Voice and Presentation Coaching

There are five one-hour sessions of vocal/performance.

A ceremony is where you bring all your learning and preparation into focus. It’s a moment of truth. Working with Paul – the voice and presentation coach – you’ll learn how to make the most of your voice as it is now, and how you can improve it. If you sound easy on the ear, you’ll connect with your clients and the people attending your ceremonies better than if it’s not. It’s a rare skill!

Even more importantly, you’ll find out how to communicate in a natural and meaningful way – from one to one, to a group of people. Without this ability, your other celebrant skills can’t flourish.

Paul will also guide you through what he calls the increments. These are the little things that aren’t hugely significant on their own, but when added will improve your presentation – online and in person. His aim is to help you be the best you can possibly be.

Ongoing Support

Upon certification, Heart-led Celebrants can join our closed Facebook group and also take part in monthly group CPD sessions via Zoom with fellow Heart-led Celebrants.

Learning Outcomes

The Certificate in Celebrancy training will show you how to create, write and officiate weddings (including offering a handtying and other rituals; and vow renewals); funerals, memorials and interment of ashes; and namings for babies, children and adults.

The role of the Heart-led Celebrant

Code of conduct

Understanding ceremony structure

Recognising the skills and qualities necessary for personalised and professional, heart-led celebrancy

Funerals, Memorials and Interment of Ashes

The legalities of the funeral industry
Essential skills of a funeral celebrant
Family meetings
Understanding grief
Family disputes
Funeral etiquette
Working with funeral directors
Cremation
Burial
Eco-burial
Creating meaningful farewells
Writing meaningful eulogies
Crafting a committal
Writing an Order of Service
Funerary rituals: writing narrative and choreography
Dealing with stress

Weddings and Vow Renewals

Create bespoke wedding and vow renewal ceremonies
Understand the legalities of marriage law in your country
Write love stories
Learn the essential elements and structure of bonding ceremonies
Narrate and choreograph beautiful bonding rituals
Relationships with other wedding suppliers, such as wedding planners and photographers

Naming Ceremonies

Create, write and officiate bespoke naming ceremonies for babies, children, adults, and transgender people who wish to have their new identity formally honoured

You will learn:

How to officiate indoor and outdoor ceremonies
Create sacred space no matter what environment you’re in
The value of intention setting
Script Writing
Rituals: narrative and choreography
Performance
Working with the Four Elements
Celebrant Well-being
Understanding the role of the Community Celebrant
Voice development and coaching
The use of amplification in ceremony
Learning to be of service
The responsibilities of being a celebrant
Establishing your celebrant business in the community
Marketing
How to be self-employed
Carrying out Health and Safety Assessments for Ceremonies
Defining what is your responsibility and what is that of your client/venue
What you’ll need for creating a website to showcase your business

Certificate in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual

The learning outcomes for this course are as for the Certificate in Celebrancy above, and also include any and all rites of passage, such as menarche, conscious conception ceremony, blessingways, miscarriage memorial, sagesse (wise crone), new business, divorce healing, parting of the ways, coming of age, inner child, and more.

The ability to create, write and officiate ceremonies for ANY rite of passage

Creative Writing

Word Medicine

Storytelling

Archetypes in Storytelling

Symbols, Rituals and Altars

Ceremonial Herbs

Developing a higher-vibrational heart frequency

Enhancing Intuition

Sacred Connections with Clients

Metaphysical Marketing

The Four Sacred Archetypes of Building Your Celebrancy Brand

Your Investment

Certificate in Celebrancy

£1000

Certificate in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual

£2,100

Applications

Applications are invited from people who are committed to developing awareness of self and others, willing to train to an excellent level, are creative, independent, inspirational, authentic and courageous, and wish to consciously create beautiful ceremonies in their community.

Unlike any other training course in England, this course is focussed on the importance of ongoing personal development, and takes a mind, body and soul approach to celebrancy and ceremonies. We recognise the importance of ongoing skill building.

The foundation of this celebrant training, and the life of a Heart-led Celebrant, is based on integrity and self-awareness, acceptance and creativity.

Before committing to this course, please ensure that you have the time and availability to dedicate to your training.

Please email for a booking form: veronikarobinson@hotmail.com

Email for a booking form

Testimonials

In March 2020, our face-to-face training converted to Zoom. In the following reviews from students referring to food or venue, please note that they trained before the Covid-19 restrictions. Aside from mentions of pear crumble or home-made soup, the content of the course remains the same. As at June 2022, we are offering face-to-face training once again.

Dear Veronika,

There are not enough words to thank you for the truly life-changing two days spent with you in your lovely home in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside. You are an inspiration, a mentor and an advocate. You helped me to value myself and the gifts I can bring to this new chosen career. You challenged me, but in a gentle and empathetic way that made me feel that it was going to be ok to try to get my words onto the page and then “off the page”. By the time I started writing with you (and it was very early on the first day), I felt that no matter what the result was to be, I had a soft place to land, and that you would support my efforts, no matter what the end product. And, as a result, I could take risks with my emotions and my words-not easy for anyone, especially an introvert like me.

I learned more about being a celebrant from you in two days than I did in the entire nine months of my previous program. I now feel that I can, with grace, humility and hard work, develop and deliver celebrations that will honour and support events in anyone’s life journey. Thank you, thank you, Veronika for giving me the gift of “you”. You are a true, beautiful and rare gem. I shall never forget our time together.

Thank you.

Brenda Martin, Canada

Thank you soooooo much for all the lovely feedback and learning points. I have thoroughly enjoyed your course and am deeply inspired by it; creating ceremonies has really tapped into something deep that has pleasantly surprised me.

I think a key learning point is that ceremonies are a work of art and hence should be treated so. They need space to percolate.

Rob, Yorkshire

Thank you so much for your time, expertise and lovely hospitality. I learnt so much, and your belief in my abilities has given me the confidence I needed.

Lesley, Cornwall

I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you (belatedly) for your welcoming nature, delicious food and expertise in my training.

In love and light,

Sandie x

Just received my Certificate in Celebrancy and I am over the moon. Thank you for being such a good teacher. I really enjoyed the course and I hope I do you proud. All the very best and I’m sure I will be in touch for your continued advice and support.

Many, many thanks

Irene x

I just wanted to thank you for sharing so much with me over the past three days. Your cosy cottage. Your beautiful smile. Your amazing knowledge. Your delicious cooking. Your energy.

I hope I will take a little bit of Veronika magic with me wherever I go.

Rachel XX

Dearest Veronika,

A very heart felt thank you for all you have given me over the last two days.

Spending time in your presence has been a real gift. Your knowledge, your warmth and hospitality and the essence of who you truly are have been so precious to me and I feel I am entering into the world of celebrants in the best possible way.

As soon as we met I felt a real connection and I feel so blessed to the universe to bringing me to the depths of the North West!

Thank you to Paul, too, for providing the link between the words and the presentation.

I look forward to further connections and help as I travel along the path that you so carefully placed together for me

With love

Gwyn x

Just wanted to thank you so much for making my funeral celebrant course such an enjoyable one. You were very kind and welcoming and have such a relaxed but professional approach. And we had some giggles!

I was pretty nervous about coming up but I loved every minute; and if I can be half as good a celebrant as you, I will be very happy!

Lots of love,

Sophie

You have that special kind of something that money just can’t buy. What you do so well is package up little bundles of skill and know-how so that we can craft our own ‘special something’ ~ heart-shaped, of course.

Sometimes it happens that people, along with their teachings and learnings, come along just when they need to.

Perfect timing from the Universe, in leading me to you.

I don’t know where the experience of last weekend will take me… but wherever it is, I will go with love.

Thank you for your teachings and sagesse (French for wisdom).

Jane S.

I just wanted to say an immediate thank you for your wonderful weekend Celebrant Training.

Now I am home, the magnitude of all you shared and explained is starting to sink in.

I am more than sure that yours was the right training programme for me. Thankyou.

Amelie and I are both quite blown away by the whole idea of becoming a celebrant ….you have definitely started something within us both.

With much love

Wendy

Thank you so much for the wonderful and mind-opening days I spent with you this week. I loved every minute of learning about celebrancy even though the tears it brought out may have suggested otherwise. I’ll get those ceremonies typed up asap but just wanted to say a heart-felt thank you first.

You obviously have a gift for listening. My mind is permanently racing so I don’t listen as well as I could, and now I’m trying to slow it all down after meeting you.

Just wanted to say a heart-felt thank you.

Amanda C.

I loved every second of my training with Veronika and Paul. The guidance in all aspects, including the voice coaching, was spot on and both so welcoming. I laughed and I cried in equal measure. I want to do it all again.

They have also provided a wonderful sounding board for work I am doing which is very appreciated. I would recommend no one else x

Kate Simpson

This is just a quick email to thank you and Paul again for your kindness and help – the training was brilliant, but made more special because you shared so much with me in such an unselfish way – your knowledge, experience, home and hospitality. And you both built my confidence in a genuine and caring manner.

The training was everything I hoped for and more – and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
You are two very special people, and I’m so grateful I found you.

Glynis xx

I felt honoured to be a part of the first heart led celebrant training last weekend. It was heart led in the truest sense of the words. I left feeling not only well equipped to step into the world as an independent celebrant, but also affirmed in my personal strengths and abilities. Veronika and Paul shared themselves and their extensive knowledge so generously with us all and sustained us with fantastic food, and all in a beautiful environment. Thank you both so much, it may sound odd to be said of a training course but this is something I will cherish for a long time.

Nicola Harrison-Swainston

Thanks for your ongoing help and support. This is not just a training that once delivered you are on your own. The power of the ongoing sense of community, of being upheld by you and by Paul, and the sheer inner strength I get from these resources is beyond explanation! So thank you so much.

Kay

The day I found Veronika Robinson, I knew I had found ‘the one’. Her ethos fits perfectly with mine. She is the most wonderful woman, as well as being a top notch celebrant and author, and a brilliant celebrant trainer.

She was also RUTHLESS in ensuring that every piece of work I produced for her, through her Heart-Led Training programme, was outstanding.

She taught me the difference between “That’s great”, and “That’s incredible”; and how to use words to create something personal and full of emotion, how to set the tone, and how to use elements within ceremonies to fix the moment in people’s minds.

www.moonflowerceremonies.co.uk

Michelle Knight

Testimonials from Vocal and Presentation Training with Paul Robinson

Paul is a brilliant teacher and instructor. I really enjoyed working with him for my voice training as part of the Heart-led celebrant training programme.

Paul is a really engaging teacher; he is very empathetic, intuitive and understanding. I learned a lot from my sessions about voice work and all aspects of projection and protecting the voice. I found it really easy to have a conversation with him, about the voice or anything else for that matter! It was great to learn in such a fun and relaxed way.

I am looking forward to working with Paul again.

Josie Perry

Paul immediately put me at ease and made me feel comfortable even though I personally felt very new to the work and process. His playful and relaxed way of engaging made the sessions really enjoyable and made any exercises feel accessible and not intimidating. He tailored the session to my specific requests and needs, making it extremely helpful as it personally addressed what I most needed to attend to most at that time. I would readily book more sessions with Paul for any areas I wish to further hone and develop and would highly recommend him to anyone wanting to learn how to better communicate and engage with public speaking.

Lynda Gibson

Paul is a superb voice and presentation coach. I can still hear his voice in my head with his brilliant advice and techniques that he taught me with such humour and care. The breakthrough for me was recording myself reminiscing about a memory and then listening back to how I sounded and the rhythm and pace of my speaking voice, and that is what I aim to achieve whenever I am officiating either in the eulogy with a funeral or the love story at a wedding. Paul has such a calm and caring manner, and his training has really paid off – because families often comment on my voice and mention how calming and soothing my presentation is, which is all down to Paul. And he taught me how to stop swaying from side to side when I’m speaking too! I would highly recommend Paul, he is simply amazing!

Petra Rigby, Heart-led Celebrant, Blossom Tree Ceremonies

Paul Robinson is an alchemist. The definition of an alchemist is: a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process.

When someone has the ability to help you to weave your written words into something that touches others, then that is alchemy. You may have written a beautifully crafted piece or you might have written something you feel is quite average. You read it to Paul and he helps you to transport it into a living memory…there is a chemical reaction that happens when he highlights to you that those words need to come from your heart space as if they were new thoughts to you. He teaches you how to pause, as if there is a new idea, a new memory and bring it to life. That sense of making your words come “alive” can bring depth, range and meaning to others in the way you present them. You can have the most amazing speaking voice….but if you have not had the training that Paul offers…..or have had speech training…there is no way that you can deliver them in a way that makes your words have “life”. He helps you to add colour, strength and majesty to your words. Having had the hardest task of conducting a funeral for a dear, dear friend, I can truthfully say that without Paul’s help and guidance, I would not have been able to do so and honour her with anchorage and trust that my voice would be heard, and my delivery would be authentic.

As I said….Paul is an alchemist. I thank my lucky stars for his training.

Kay Manby

I was thrilled with my voice coaching with Paul. I had a very confused accent, a mixture of Scottish, English and a posh telephone voice used only at work!

When we started to practise scripts, my breathing and inflection had a lot to be desired… Thankfully, Paul, with his vast experience helped me craft all my accents into one.

He shared how to improve my word inflection, and helped me understand my breathing. Indeed, now when I hear my voice, rather than cringe, I’m amazed that it sounds quite warm and engaging.

Paul helped me with writing in such a way I now adapt my scripts so that I communicate with everyone individually as I deliver my scripts. I’m still working on my eye-contact, this comes as part of the training and has been quite a challenge for me. Like all life skills, practice, practice and then some more practice can only help soften and sharpen these amazing skills.

I’m still a work in progress, but delighted with how my voice coaching has given me a new found confidence for public speaking.

Jacquie Wilson, The Turquoise Celebrant

As an experienced and confident public speaker, I was challenged and guided to make my delivery more authentic and sensitive. Paul was always supportive and encouraging. He offered me constructive advice and modelled his expectations to me. His methods, including breathing technique, where to focus, what experiences to draw on etc, are something that I will refer to frequently as I go on to deliver a range of ceremonies.

Juliet Golding

Paul’s voice training sessions were always something I looked forward to attending. His wealth of experience around how to listen to, analyse, and work on improving the sound of my voice are second to none.

I learned how best to breathe and how to use feelings to improve the delivery of my ceremonies. His use of humour and anecdotes along with the pace of the sessions all enabled me to understand and absorb fully the learning points. At the beginning of my training, I felt nervous and self-conscious about performing but his constructive analysis of my voice and kind manner have made me more relaxed about speaking in front of a group of strangers.

Paul has built confidence in me which I am so grateful for, I highly recommend training with him.

Aileen Palmer

The voice training provided by Paul has been an interesting and thought-provoking process. My initial contact with Paul was very positive. With efficiency, Paul set the standard straight away. Emails responded to quickly and acknowledgement of course fees being received set the bedrock of trust.

The new knowledge I received: – how the voice works; awareness; warming up; watching and listening to the professionals; lifting the words from the page and managing the nerves. An invaluable experience!

I keep in touch with Paul in monthly celebrant Zoom meetings and he continues to give top tips and model techniques using his own voice.

Gill

Before I started on my Celebrant journey, I hadn’t actually given much thought to the sound of my voice, but during my training, I discovered just how important a tool the voice is – and Paul helped me to hone that tool, to improve my performance AND my confidence.

Paul’s knowledge and professionalism is excellent- he patiently guides, giving feedback at every stage, and he does so with a sense of fun. We laughed a lot, which helped to settle my nerves; but we also explored the effects that emotion has on the voice.

As a Funeral Celebrant, there are many times when tears and emotion can affect my voice. Paul gently taught me how to harness that emotion to actually improve my performance, rather than detracting from it.

Paul is generous with his time, and he is always willing to help with ongoing development- I had some problems with breathing last year, and Paul guided me through the exercises which helped me to overcome the issue.

Paul is quite simply a great coach, and a thoroughly nice guy!

Glynis

Paul has a very relaxed and humorous manner, which makes learning stress-free and fun. The voice-coaching I receive is invaluable. Paul has encouraged me to enhance my ceremony voice by adding tone, space, and emphasis. As I continue with voice-coaching my ceremonies improve. Thanks Paul.

Lesley Wyatt

Towards the end of my celebrancy training, in understanding and scripting ceremonies, I had a number of voice training sessions with the wonderful Paul Robinson, excellent voice-over artist and celebrant.

Paul taught me how to confidently deliver those ceremonies – how to use my breath, how to infuse emotion, how to make the script appear as if it is just occurring to me, truly a skill I did not know I needed, but it has made such a difference to my delivery.

And it’s also the reason why I now, as completely tone deaf and unmusical as I am, croon along to all the songs on the car radio, to help condition my voice for speaking – other car drivers must think I’m a nutter when they pass me, because I really get into it!

www.moonflowerceremonies.co.uk

Michelle Knight

Discrimination-free Celebrancy

I practise discrimination-free celebrancy.

This means that I will not discriminate (or associate with those who discriminate) against you on the grounds of religion or other beliefs, disability, mental health, race, culture, gender, gender reassignment, age, marital or parental status. I honour the right of each human being to celebrate their life.

You have my assurance that I will accord you the respect you deserve. This assurance is across the board in my work as a celebrant, celebrant trainer and as editor of The Celebrant magazine.

~ Veronika Robinson

Heart-led Celebrants

Are you interested in training to become a Heart-led Celebrant?

ABOUT YOUR TUTORS

Veronika Robinson

Paul Robinson

Training Courses

Certificate in Celebrancy

Certificate in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual

How does it work

As part of the course, you will also receive:

Voice and Presentation Coaching

Ongoing Support

Learning Outcomes

Certificate in Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual

Your Investment

Applications

Testimonials

Testimonials from Vocal and Presentation Training with Paul Robinson

Discrimination-free Celebrancy

Contact

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