About me
Bernie founded Speaking From Experience And My Heart on 10th November 2014. The inspiration for this platform came because of the need to speak about topics and experiences which society brushes under the carpet and after experiencing DV and rape she didn't want her experiences to die a death without helping others. Bernie speaks about domestic violence. mental health, the impact of mental health on family life/ living with a parent who suffers from mental illness , suicide, racism. diversity in life. embracing God into our lives. She also has a blog which covers these topics and much more on word press bernieafufedarcy.wordpress.com. Recently she got certifications from Women's Aid for her participation in a two-day course. 1: Awareness Training On Responding To Women Experiencing Domestic Violence . 2 : Best practice In Women And Child protection In The Context Of Domestic Violence. These courses enable her to assist others who are or have experienced domestic abuse. Bernie is also a certified Suicide intervention first aider. She completed the course Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the 26th and the 27th of September 2015 which was organised by H.O.P.E Tallaght in conjunction with ASIST. She's got a distinction in childcare when awarded her Diploma in 1994 in Kilroy's College Dublin. This led to her passing Irish Pre-preschool Association courses and operating her own preschool for a number of years. To try and understand mental Illness and the mind more because of the impact on her as a child and teenager Bernie studied counselling, Psychology and Therapy . In 2006 she was awarded a Counselling Education Award Certificate in Counselling, Psychology and Therapy . Bernie has been interviewed on G-request show by Chris Onos and on African Community radio Dublin by Rebecca Omokaro. She has participated in panel discussions on Bunmi Olabode's radio show Love In The House and spoke in The Helix Mahony Hall DCU at Diverse City 2015 about her experience of diversity . Bernie has spoken about forced marriage Irish style in November 2015 at a seminar titled Forced Marriage and Human Trafficking in European Commission House D ". She has also spoken at seminars organised by Faith Family Initiative in Kilcock Co Kildare and was one of the speakers at Women's Conference at Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministry Portlaoise County Laois . Recently she travelled to London to receive a Lift Effects 100 recognition award for her impact on life and others through her public speaking, blogging and activist work. At present her piece from her blog is being used by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in their annual report. This will be launched on the 27/7/16 and Bernie will speak at this launch. Also RTE is exploring the idea of having her on their show Saturday Night live to speak about her experience of Domestic Abuse and her her experience of using the services of Women's Aid