With a background in education, Vera Waters’ diverse and fascinating career really began when she became the first teacher in a Home Office teaching establishment to insist that she be allowed time to address the problems of delinquent teenagers placed in her care. This brought about tremendous changes in the national system.

Having moved north, she was appointed as the first Voluntary Service Co-ordinator within the Health Service. This post was the beginning of an important chapter of her life working in the second largest Psychiatric Hospital in Europe, and it was during this time that she was appointed as a Government ‘Watchdog’.

She became the first non-medic with her own patient list, at the same time becoming one of the country’s 12 leading Health Service Trainers. Pioneering new and futuristic work with institutionalised patients involved preparing people within the community to accept the difficulties experienced by the mentally ill.

During this time she became Chairman of the National Association of Voluntary Help Organisers having direct contact with the Minister for Health. She believed that many patients in psychiatric hospitals were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of military service in wartime. She established the only British Legion Club for veterans within a psychiatric hospital.

Vera was the first counsellor to be appointed by a police force, providing counselling for officers suffering from stress. She also later became the consultant expert providing advice on major crime and its effects. She was affectionately nicknamed ‘Mrs Cracker’ by officers from the Greater Manchester Police Force, with whom she worked closely.

Among her remarkable achievements, Vera was the only civilian to receive a Research Grants award from the Department of Science and Technology (Home Office) in 1987.

As the consultant who dealt with the aftermath of the Manchester Airport disaster and its effect on police officers, Vera’s vast experience and empathy were considered to be invaluable.

Whilst retained by Greater Manchester Police she trained officers in other forces throughout the country, including Scotland Yard.

During her phenomenal career she has trained nurses, doctors, actors, dancers, airline crews, international sales teams and burnt out media presenters, to name but a few.

Vera makes frequent trips to the USA where she has pioneered her own special life coaching programme, now embraced by several companies who believe that her presentations bring inspiration and spirituality to the workplace. 2000 to 2006 saw Vera speaking regularly in Chicago and Florida and in 2007 she was invited to address the staff of the state dept in Oklahoma. Speaking engagements throughout Virginia and Iowa have increased her insight into the American way of life and even feature in her after dinner talks.

Vera was invited to Australia as a guest speaker at a Perth conference. Whilst there she made several radio broadcasts. She continues to appear on radio here in Britain and has enjoyed guest appearances on Good Morning Sunday (Radio 2) as well as frequent appearances on Radio Lancashire.

Author, Speaker

A member of the Authors Society Vera writes true stories of life experience.
Written in narrative form they provide easy reading for busy people in all walks of life. She encourages her readers to find the confidence to cope with whatever life has to offer. Reminding us that we can be positive.

Vera believes that we need to ENJOY our lives. Indeed she considers the greatest compliment she has been paid was after a London presentation when a lady in the audience asked if she had ever written a script for Victoria Wood.

Now specialising in speaking engagements she believes that the importance of our interaction with those around us is immeasurable. Vera talks about everyday experiences and happenings in a positive style. She is a great believer in humour and the important part it plays in our lives.

Find out more about Vera’s books and CDs here.