College Lecturers

The next ten years were spent having a family of 4 children. It was after the birth of the 4th child that Barbara developed M.E./M.S. symptoms and became almost dysfunctional. The medical profession had no answers for these problems and so she started to take full responsibility for curing herself. In order to do this she read a great deal of conventional literature from which she was able to extrapolate and create her own philosophy around healing.

After moving to Devon, Barbara became involved with the foundation of the Natural Health Network Clinic. She also began practising as a dietary therapist in a local G.P.'s practice. From these involvements she developed her philosophy even further and began to see the larger picture, displaying a series of connections rather than isolated incidents.

The real test for Barbara's philosophy was to heal herself. She began to put all her ideas into practice and embarked on the road to recovery. This was a very successful process culminating in a year's pre-conceptual work before having her fifth child at 43. During this pregnancy Barbara co-founded "The College of Dietary Therapy" where she started to share her concepts with students. This college ran from 1982 to 1989 and trained many of today's Dietary Therapists.

From that point on she has been in great demand to share her concepts with organisations around the country, including The National Child Birth Trust, Well Women Clinics, The Informed Parent, M.E. Groups and Colleges of Kinesiology, Polarity, Osteopathy and Acupuncture. She has also had several articles published in the national press on her philosophy.

As well as teaching, Barbara continues to practice in the South West. She tends to attract patients who have tried various therapies without success and are desperate to get better. She puts emphasis on educating her patients to see why they have arrived at their current state and then gives them the means to take control of their own healing process. Running a college, a busy practice, and a family of five children, she has proved that her philosophy really does work.

Kate's journey to improve her own health began while taking a degree in politics and philosophy. Chronic ill health and a feeling of total disconnection led her to a yoga class and from there to learn about healing.

It became clear that nutrition was crucial to the improvement of Kate's health and The College of Natural Nutrition had exactly the understanding about healing that she was looking for. Over the time spent with college, Kate's health has greatly improved and now she now feels like a different person, more connected and more "me" than ever before.

As well as practising Natural Nutrition in Devon, Kate practises Yoga and The Metamorphic Technique.

Sara Wheater
Having struggled to find an understanding for herself on a physical level around bulimia, weight and the health issues that accompany it, she finally arrived at The College of Natural Nutrition. It was here that she found a way of living and being that embraced the whole person was being taught.

The course teaches how to listen, understand and work with your own body and from doing this she reached a high level of awareness concerning the bodies cycles and rhythms. It has now become her passion along with her many years of personal development and trainings in N.L.P. and Voice Dialogue (the psychology of the selves) and the importance of lifestyle which she brings to her practice and teaching.

During 1999 he stumbled across the teachings of Barbara Wren and decided to study with The College of Natural Nutrition. He now says without any fear of contradiction that “these teachings are truly holistic and encompass everything” and as Barbara says “everything must fit in without opposition”. With this philosophy only yourself can impose limitations.

Nick Bennett
Nick graduated from Nottingham University with a BSc (Hons) in Nutritional Biochemistry. While still studying for his degree he became involved with a Home Office Project on the links between Nutrition and Criminal Behaviour, the findings of which were published in the journal "Nutrition and Health". This field still remains an important part of Nick's research.

For seven years Nick worked in the technical departments of two leading U.K. supplement companies finishing in the position of "Technical Director" before leaving in 2002 to set up a consultancy with his wife Sue. Nick now works from home where he can spend more time with his two children advising supplement companies on technical, regulatory and product research matters.

Sally Holman
Sally obtained an honours degree at the age of 21, followed by a Dip Ed. specialising in Primary Education. Her successful career included exploring a new approach to learning theories and practices where child centred teaching, individual potential and creative expression were fundamental features. Sally became a senior manager and ran courses for teachers to facilitate the implementation of the national curriculum with these aspects in mind. Alongside this, and following the breakdown of her marriage, Sally became anorexic and suffered from total allergy syndrome. She became familiar with the unsatisfactory response of the medical establishment, and explored the alternative scene for over 10 years. It was a when a friend introduced her to Barbara Wren, and she took the Natural Nutrition route, that she regained her health. Within 6 months she felt well enough to take the attendance course, and qualified with distinction as a therapist in 1985. Subsequently, Sally has tutored the college correspondence course since that time, helped produce Barbara's lectures in a written format and run her own practice. She gained a Diploma in Person-centred counselling in 1995. Sally then set up and ran a cancer support programme, along the lines of the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, at Axminster Awareness Centre, where she worked closely with sufferers and carers both individually and in groups for 3 years. She continues to work closely with Barbara and tutor for the college while also becoming involved in the arts and organising the Lyme Regis ArtsFest, as she believes that creative development is another vital aspect of holistic health.

Richard Norris
Richard is a psychological astrologer. Through his medium he seeks to guide people to reconnect with a deeper sense of personal wholeness and understanding, from this will emerge a clearer recognition and validation of the purpose of their unique journey in this lifetime. In his 23 years as a practising astrologer he has studied extensively with Liz Greene and The Centre for Psychological Astrology and at The Faculty of Astrological Studies. He has also trained and practices as a Humanistic Psychotherapist, Re-Birther and Past Life Regression. Richard finds his person-centred approach is mirrored by the college's emphasis on informing and empowering the individual to realise their own potential.

Caroline Brett
Born in London, Caroline's interest in food began early with a French education and many childhood summers spent in France. After university she worked as a chef, living and travelling in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She returned to open her own very successful restaurant in London. Having always been interested in health and inspired by some further time spent living in the U.S.A., she wanted to learn about healing and yet still be able to incorporate her own extensive knowledge of food. She enrolled with The College of Natural Nutrition and found the topic to be extraordinarily inspiring: revealing the connection between our bodies, the stars, the seasons and the earth. Wanting to somehow manifest this, to help people re-discover how to feel better by reconnecting to the earth, eating well, enjoying local, seasonal, healthy food; she opened an organic restaurant and juice bar in 2000. She is passionate about seasonal eating, dogs, life between the wars and making preserves for afternoon tea. She now practices in London, teaches cooking and writes.

Kirsten Santry
Kirsten was instinctively drawn to nutrition for support at one of the most decisive turning points in her life, when diagnosed with cancer in her late twenties. Although she hadn’t then come across the philosophy of Natural Nutrition, the experience started a journey that helped Kirsten reassess her life on many levels and then to her training at the college.
The philosophy appealed to Kirsten’s methodical, scientific side, whilst remaining an art that encourages creativity and sensitivity. "Natural Nutrition, for me, represents an ongoing dialogue with my body and an ever deepening relationship with myself. The more space I clear within, the more I allow myself to be nourished and the more in touch I become with who I actually am. It's a very special way of supporting and enabling healing and growth”. With a background in teaching, youth work and communications, Kirsten is experienced in sharing knowledge and information and is grateful to be able to share something as enlightening as Natural Nutrition.

Desislava Yordanova
Desi first trained as a Physiotherapist and practiced for five years in a Health
Clinic. She then studied for three years at the College of Natural Nutrition, under
the guiding wisdom of Barbara Wren. Desi believes in holistic, integrated
treatment which treats the physical, mental and emotional self as a whole…
whilst allowing for life in the real world.
“My journey with Natural Nutrition was truly amazing and blessed. It has taught
me that we possess everything we need –all means, powers and capacity to live
a life that is really healthy and meaningful”