Graeme Wylie

·        Graeme’s first jobs were in civil engineering which he practised, firstly, working with Public Works contractors in England and subsequently doing mining exploration in the Yukon territory, Canada.

·        He then took 3 years out to do voluntary youth work in France, studying French and working with students in Avignon and Montpellier universities. In the romantic South of France he met and later married the love of his life, Frances, a school teacher and counsellor.

·        After further studies (University of London), they returned together to Graeme’s native Ireland and devoted the next season of their life to pastoral care and teaching, while bringing up their family of 4 children, in Galway.

·        More recently they moved to County Roscommon where they run training courses and have set up a counselling service.

·        Shortly after moving to Roscommon, Graeme saw a newspaper headline which announced, ‘9 Suicides in 9 weeks in Roscommon.’ This stirred him to do some research into suicide and subsequently to launch ‘Choose Life’ in an effort to raise awareness of the issue.

·        This in turn led to the production of the ‘Choose Life’ DVD which, so far, has been ordered by 250 schools around the country, mainly for use in religion and SPHE classes.

·        Graeme has also written a booklet, ‘Making Sense of Life, when it hurts’, for young people struggling to cope with their inner pain and find a meaningful purpose to life.

·        He is also in the process of writing a book telling the stories of 12 people who were suicidal, but have found an alternative way through their problems to a life that is worth living.

·        Frances now teaches children with dyslexia as well as counselling.

·        They have four grown-up children (3 boys and a girl) and one grandson.

Graeme loves rugby, especially when Ireland are winning!  

Hope Counselling is part of Hope Trust, an Irish registered charity No 16931