My name is Sharon Bull and in September 2013 I set up in self-employment as an inspirational speaker, writer and poet under the name of ‘A Compassionate Voice’ The sole purpose, to creatively help others and raise awareness to the causes and issues close to my heart.
As an advocate of human and animal rights, lover of wildlife and nature, I also use the written and spoken word to influence compassion, kindness and respect for all living beings and the environment. My verse very often draws attention to poverty, homelessness, animal exploitation and world issues (including climate change, war and inequality)
At the centre of my talks and written work, I have advocated compassion and kindness as the way to heal. It has been paramount in everything I do, but alongside this, I also speak out for the vulnerable and voiceless (particularly children, animals, sufferers of mental health illnesses & families living in poverty or homeless).
ACV FOUNDATION
I have now decided to take this one step further, by setting up a not for profit organisation called ACV Foundation.
Over the past few years my written work and my talks have raised awareness to the issues and values close to my heart. It has also helped to inspire, motivate and encourage others to realise that they have the power within to make changes with their own lives too.
I now feel ready for my next challenge. I want to lean on my marketing/sales and event planning expertise to organise ethical and compassionate events/trips for children, sufferers of mental health illnesses & families living in poverty or who are homeless. Some of these trips will unite the disadvantaged (particularly children) with animals and nature.
Your donation will help ACV Foundation to bring a little sunshine into the lives of the disadvantaged and vulnerable within our society. Events have already been scheduled for this year, which include, a children’s Halloween party and a Christmas party for families either living in poverty or homeless. This is just the start – next year – animal/wildlife sanctuary visits and creativity workshops will be arranged too.
NB All safety aspects will be in place for all events/ trips.
MY STORY
For over fourteen years I worked as a successful sales executive, until 2010, when my world fell apart. Since leaving school I had battled with depression and anxiety, which ultimately triggered a shopping addiction leaving me with £50,000 debt. Approaching my mid years and I lost almost everything, including my life, in a suicide attempt on 28th April 2011.
It was the 29th April 2011, I began a very tough, but determined transformational journey. Kicking out my addiction, controlling my mental health issues and introducing myself to a more positive lifestyle wasn’t easy, but my newfound love of writing, along with meditation helped me through the difficult times.
Since this time my inspirational story has caught the attention of the media, with features in national magazines and press, including Woman’s Own, Psychologies, Daily Mirror, Stella Telegraph and the Daily Express. I am also continually asked to do interviews on numerous radio stations, including several BBC regional stations. In July 2017, I also made my debut TV appearance, interviewed by Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford on ITV’S This Morning and pre-Christmas 2017 I spent a couple of days with a BBC production team filming for their documentary about debt and its link to mental health issues, aired on Monday 15th January 2018.
STRIPPED BARE
It was during a telephone interview with the Psychologies feature editor, the seedlings of my first self-help memoir were sewn, after she asked me if I had considered publishing a book about my journey.
In August 2017, I successfully self-published my self-help memoir titled Stripped Bare. Even with limited distribution and numerous constraints the book achieved great success reaching just over 500 in the UK best sellers rankings on release. Often nestled in the 10,000 UK top sellers and also classed as a hot new release by Amazon. The reviews, from readers on Amazon, Waterstones and my own official face book page were heartfelt, encouraging and overwhelming.
My writing never stops. I have countless folders of unpublished and published blogs- enough for a follow up book to Stripped Bare, a hard-hitting fictional story about drug addiction & street life, and hundreds of thought-provoking verses.
TALKS AND SCHOOLS
At the centre of my talks and written work, the key message is compassion and kindness as the way to heal. It has been paramount in everything I do, but alongside this, I also speak out for the vulnerable and voiceless (particularly children, animals, sufferers of mental health illnesses & families living in poverty or homeless).
More recently, I have been speaking to High School/College students. Hearing from someone who has lived-in experiences with mental health issues, I am already making a positive impact.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to make a donation to ACV Foundation’s up and coming projects, no matter how small, all monies will be greatly appreciated. I am also in conversation with charities, services, trusts and potential volunteers. Having arranged past successful fundraiser events, I am also hoping to organise something very exciting in 2020.
There are a number of ways that you can donate to ACV Foundation. You can choose to make a one off or monthly donation into ACV’s PayPal account. Or you can donate into ACV’s bank account. Details and PayPal link below
ACV FOUNDATION NatWest Sutton & Kirby Branch, Portland Square, Sutton -in-Ashfield, Notts, NG17 1BA Sort Code 55-61-17 Account No 68573103
Cheques can also be made payable to ACV FOUNDATION – address details 8, Keats Avenue, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 2GH
Thank you so much for your support. If you wish to receive updates, please subscribe to the website’s newsletter and follow ACV’s Social media pages.
