Don’t just take my word for it…
Here are some of the lovely things people have said about me and my work.
We can’t thank Joe enough for bringing our ceremony to life. From the very beginning we knew it would take someone truly special to understand us, our story, our hearts and the message we wanted to share. Joe didn’t just understand it, he lifted it, shaped it and delivered something more beautiful than we ever imagined. Joe exceeded every expectation and that is no small thing.
Joe gave us a gift we’ll carry for the rest of our lives. It was magnificent. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
I’ve been lucky to know Joe through different chapters of my life, so when I found out that he was now a celebrant it only seemed right that it was him that married Kyle and me.
Joe’s approach is incredibly personal and very fun. In the months leading up to our wedding, he sent out questionnaires which asked questions about each of us, our dreams, wishes (and bad habits! Joe finally got Kyle to chill out about my driving!) and it was so much fun filling them out knowing that the other person wouldn’t find out until the day of the wedding.
On the day, Joe was an absolute rock. Not only was it a catch up with an old friend, but he created a beautiful ceremony for us. Joe really took the time to understand us as a couple. He had even interviewed our nearest and dearest, which added a beautiful touch to our ceremony. Joe also lead the handfasting and Celtic quaich ceremony which was very important to Kyle and his family. Joe led it with such beauty and respect and it was loved by the many Scottish clans that attended our big day!
The ceremony was the most beautiful part of our wedding. It was personal, it was funny and it did truly show Kyle’s and my personalities and our relationship. Our guests laughed, cried, giggled and cheered. We couldn’t thank Joe enough for what he created for our special day and we would recommend him to everyone who is looking for a personal fun and supportive celebrant.
Joe brought a rare combination of professionalism, empathy, and grace to Dad’s funeral. From our first conversation, he showed a deep sensitivity to what the day meant for our family, and a genuine commitment to honouring Dad’s life in a way that felt personal and true. He took the time to speak with each of us—my adult children, my sister, and my mum—listening with care as we shared our memories and reflections. Joe didn’t just gather these stories; he wove them into the service with exceptional skill, creating a ceremony that felt deeply authentic and beautifully balanced. His words captured Dad’s spirit with warmth, dignity, and just the right touch of humour. Many people who attended the service commented on how beautiful it was, and how Joe did an amazing job. His ability to hold space for both grief and celebration made a difficult day feel meaningful and comforting. We’re deeply grateful for the care and attention Joe gave to every detail. We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting tribute.
I can’t thank Joe enough for the way he helped us remember Mum. From the very beginning, he was kind, patient and really took the time to listen to our stories. He spent time with my adult children and captured their memories perfectly from early days to recent months. The service was personal and captured mum perfectly, he brought warmth and even a touch of humour. We’re all very grateful for his care and compassion at this sad time.
I am delighted to write a few words about my friend Joe who I have known for over 30 years. We worked together in an extremely stressful environment and everyone wanted to work with him because he was the most talented, gifted, creative editor we had on the books. Not only that – his edit suite was always full of producers and journalists – there were lots of conversations and lots of laughter. Through every difficult day Joe’s room was a safe haven of sanity where you could sit and think about the best solution to any problem that came up. This is not just my opinion – it was shared by everyone in the building. In an environment where it was very much every man for himself, Joe was always focussing on his job and his family. Not a day would pass without him recounting a story about one of his children or his wife Sally. He is a very proud son, husband, father and grandfather, and these qualities will without doubt help him in his role as a celebrant.
Joe is absolutely ideal for this role, as he will see parallels everywhere in the families and groups that he serves, with his own life. As usual, he has chosen a role wisely, and will work extremely hard to achieve the best outcome for those at an incredibly sad time of their lives. Joe has a background in art and music, both in performing and creating, as well as appreciating many types of artistic endeavour. He loves cooking and appreciating good food and travelling. All the things that make a happy, well-rounded life in general.
If I have to choose 4 words, and please use the above testimonial as the “why” for the words, I would say –
‘GENEROUS’ – with his time, energy and ideas
‘FUN’ – I have never spent a day with Joe without enjoying his big friendly smile.
‘CONSCIENTIOUS’ – Everything Joe did was properly thought out, conceived, and completed.
‘EMPATHIC’ – Joe has a huge heart and is always there to talk when needed.
If you’d like to check the authenticity of this testimonial, please contact me at www.davidyatestherapy.co.uk
David Yates MSc MBACP – former colleague, Producer at GMTV, now a therapist
Joe is ‘kind’, ‘compassionate’ and ‘authentic’. He’s incredibly easy to talk to and he listens; really listens. We worked together supporting national charities for years. I watched him give people facing lots of different life challenges a voice so that their message could be heard and have an impact. It was a source of huge comfort, not only for them, but to help their family and friends to begin to heal. He has a gift enabling him to capture and convey a real sense of who a person is.
Joe’s also extremely ‘creative’ and helps bring people’s stories to life with pictures and music. He’s lots of fun too and brilliant at celebrating joyous moments. Everyone is safe in Joe’s hands.
Loll Thomas – former colleague, Senior Producer at GMTV, now author and CEO of The Parent Coaching Academy
‘Sunshine’ – Joe is just one those people who you never forget. He walks into a room and he lights it up with his smile, his chuckle, and… well, just how he is!
‘Friendly’ – He always asked how you are. He’s that person who listened, gave the best advice and just cared.
‘Conscientious’ – He’s such a hard worker and he went out of his way to help and support people.
‘Creative’ – He came up with wonderful ideas. He taught the students to edit whilst really thinking about how to story tell.
Yeng Roberts – former colleague at Macclesfield College Art & Media dept.
‘Patient’ – As Joe was my tutor in Sixth-Form, I know from first hand experience how patient he can be, especially around rowdy young adults! I struggled quite a fair bit in education, which I now know was due to ADHD, but Joe never made me feel bad or guilty for asking lots of questions and for guidance several times when I didn’t understand something the first time around. Joe would kindly go out of his way to explain things in many ways until I finally understood. Not meaning to blow my own trumpet, Joe’s knowledge of the media industry and the time he gave me, put me a whole year and a half ahead of my course mates when I went to uni.
‘Cultured’ – Joe is interested in delving into new experiences, whether that’s meeting new people, visiting new places, trying different cuisines or enjoying various art forms. There is no end to Joe’s curiosity about the world and he is keen to see things from others’ perspectives. He is incredibly open-minded and ready to listen and learn.
‘Supportive’ – After university I developed a love for community theatre and Joe has shown care and support in my interests. Joe and Mrs Joe came a fair way recently just to see little ol’ me in a production of Romeo and Juliet. It meant the world to me that he would go out of his way to see me prance about on a stage, despite the unreliable British weather! Joe is completely behind seeing someone develop passions for new things and never judges.
‘Encouraging’ – When I first joined the Sixth-Form where Joe was a teacher, I felt quite behind what other pupils were capable of. There were various programs and subjects that I had not been taught and that others were well versed in. But Joe didn’t let that discourage me one bit. Again, he very patiently walked me through the steps until I was up to speed with everyone else. One segment of the course that he taught me was screen acting and I remember fondly that he said that I should perhaps build upon this area. He kindly complimented me and rightfully told me off when I beat myself up with my own silly opinions of myself. Joe sees what you can’t see within yourself and fiercely believes that you are more skilled and capable of what you give yourself credit for.
Georgia Parker-Aiken – former Sixth-Form media student
‘Gentle’ in the way he treats others around him, particularly challenging iMedia students. ‘Intelligent’ – He know a lot of stuff but he accepts that others might not without judgement. ‘Witty’ – He’s not just funny-looking! ‘Loving’ – He’s been a true pal. He shows unconditional love for his family. He nurtures/cares those who need it (I’m thinking specifically of a sixth form student he helped at a difficult time)
Phil McGlincy – former colleague at Sandbach School
‘Genuine’ – I never felt a lack of authenticity when engaging with Joe. Everything he said had purpose and meaning
‘Warming’ – I always felt a sense of warmth and the ability to confide / seek guidance from him.
‘Hero’ – For me a hero is a person who demonstrates an utmost commitment to their morals, no matter the obstacle or consequence. Joe is someone who I genuinely idolise.
‘Enlightening’ – He opened my eyes to show me there are lots of different ways of doing things and that I should continue to push myself and develop.
Honestly, I could pick a thousand words to describe Joe because, (whether or not he knows it) I think he’s someone who has been really influential in my life and my development.
George Benning – former Sixth-Form media student
