College news: welcome class of 2024!

What better way to celebrate our new colleagues’ collective achievement than with some expressions of enthusiasm and thanks – above and below a full list of graduate names from British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) accredited courses. But first things first. We begin with a few words of welcome from BAcC chief executive Alex Jacobs…

Warmest congratulations to all the new graduates! Your decision to take up this great challenge and the dedication that carried you through to the end, means that countless people will benefit and the tradition will continue. Many of us, including myself, as we progress through our careers are concerned not just about improving our own practices but also passing on the torch. Consequently, it is with great joy and appreciation that I see so many highly trained graduates coming into the profession. A heartfelt thank you from the BAcC community – and we hope to get to know you as you develop your practice!

Now we hear from NCA graduates Nina Lunghi, Jude Sanders & Claire Watkins

Nina writes: Studying acupuncture has been one of the most challenging but rewarding career changes, and I’ve enjoyed opening my new clinic in Lochgilphead, Argyll. In January I will travel to Gujarat, India with the charity, World Medicine. I will be part of their Chaparda project team offering acupuncture treatments to hundreds of people in this rural community. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and it’s an exciting way to start my new career as an acupuncturist.

From Jude: The graduation ceremony made the degree feel real and I finally knew at that point that I had completed the course. I’m super proud of all of my cohort – we worked incredibly hard through difficult times and achieved our dream. Totally amazing!:

And from Claire: My journey into acupuncture began in 2018, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30. After finishing chemotherapy, I sought treatment from a BAcC member to manage side effects and it changed my life. I knew then that I needed to study acupuncture to help others experience the same relief and transformation.

The most rewarding part was attending clinic on Saturdays under the supervision of Janet Stevens. Janet is an excellent supervisor – very knowledgeable and intuitive – and I gained a lot of experience in my final year under her expertise.

Two patients from my Saturday clinics stand out in particular. One man whose body was 75 per cent covered in eczema saw such significant improvement after five sessions that he no longer needed treatment. The other, with long Covid symptoms, described our sessions as life-changing. That was the most rewarding part of being a student – putting knowledge into practice and seeing patients improve week on week.

Being a student later in life had its own set of challenges, but it also deepened my perspective. I split the course over four years and welcomed a baby at the beginning of third year – taking just ten weeks of maternity leave before continuing my studies. Balancing in-person lessons, online learning, clinic days and travel required careful planning, especially in my final year when my son was one and I was managing my own health challenges.

Just before entering my final fourth year, I had to restart taking endocrine treatment to mitigate the risk of breast cancer recurrence. This brought a range of side effects, including hot flushes, mood swings, and brain fog. Once again I turned to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for support, successfully alleviating my symptoms. These experiences have made me a more empathetic and well-rounded practitioner.

Looking back, there were many memorable moments on the course – making friends, supporting each other, and navigating the challenges of studying during the pandemic. Starting in masks and visors, not seeing my lecturers’ faces for months, and connecting over Teams calls during lockdown created a unique sense of camaraderie that I’ll always remember.

Since graduating, I’ve started practising from a clinic room in Durham – in a wonderful clinic with three other treatment rooms and practitioners. It’s incredibly fulfilling to already see patients improve so much that they no longer need treatment.

The NCA course has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional care. My long-term goal is to work with local oncology departments to provide acupuncture to cancer patients.

For current or future students, my advice is to believe in the process – it does all come together in the end. Do as much self-study as you possibly can, balance this with life and make sure you move your body and do something that brings you joy each day.

I am incredibly proud of having pursued this career later in life, navigating the unique challenges it brought. Having turned to acupuncture when I was unwell, I’m now able to help new patients get better – a full-circle moment. Now that I’ve graduated, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

They loved it so much, the NCA students wrote an Ode to Acupuncture

Next here’s ICOM graduate Claire Skinner

Claire writes: Studying at ICOM gave me a sense of being authentic to my true nature and archetype – not only a supportive, transformational and enriching experience, but something that seems like a huge effort felt effortless. You realise that you are aligned with your heart and soul’s purpose.

Even though we all felt part of the ICOM family before graduation, our celebratory ceremony made us feel fully embedded in our wonderful school and its history. It was like the final stamp needed, with a positive sense of closure of moving from a student to a practitioner.

I still have moments of apprehension and self-doubt – how to find new patients, the responsibility of managing patients once they trickle in, the administration behind setting up, the small business aspect of running a home clinic. But the dynamic that you start to create with your own patients and the relationship that builds are very special. I am definitely creating my own vessel of practice – an amalgamation of what we learned these past years, my own skills, plus what I am learning through CPD – then weaving it into my own clinic. It’s a creative and hugely fulfilling process.

I am now getting involved with fertility support and general female wellness – and really enjoying it. I am also doing a year long gynaecology and obstetrics course which is supporting my current practice. In addition, having thought I did not want to practise from home, it is turning out to be what I am enjoying the most. I am creating my own space with my own energy, and it feels right.

Our words of celebration draw to a close with CCA graduates Jules Simonneau, Lucy Margolius and Pinky Lalwani

From Jules: I first experienced acupuncture during pregnancy when I was suffering from severe sciatica – I was advised by my GP to try acupuncture and discovered the incredible benefits. This sparked a deep fascination with this ancient practice.

Training at the CCA was both transformative and challenging. Juggling the demands of an intensive course while raising two young children and continuing my work as a graphic designer pushed me in ways I did not know I was capable of. Even so, my time there was incredibly fulfilling. Learning from some of the UK’s most respected acupuncturists was inspiring, and the clinical experience was a standout experience for me. Seeing patients improve under our care and witnessing the immediate effects of acupuncture was both motivating and deeply satisfying.

Since starting my clinic in Tufnell Park, I’ve been privileged to treat a wide range of conditions – including stress, insomnia, chronic and acute pain, and pregnancy-related discomforts – and each patient’s journey is unique. Recently, one patient told me how acupuncture had given them their first restful nights in years after months of battling insomnia – moments like these remind me why I love what I do.

Looking back, my journey into acupuncture has been a meaningful blend of personal experience and professional growth, evolving from seeking treatment for myself to helping others – a transformation I’m truly proud of

Now here’s Lucy: Acupuncture is my third career, and I am so happy to have found the job for me at last! After working as a solicitor and then a professional embroiderer at the Royal School of Needlework – another needle-related career! – I took time out to start a family. I then began looking for a meaningful, flexible job that allowed me to help people.

I had been seeing a brilliant acupuncturist for many years to address my health issues, and when she recommended the course at the CCA, I knew immediately this was what I had been looking for. I started the course within a week, and I haven’t looked back since.

At CCA, I found ‘my people’ and made lifelong friends. The course was more intense than I anticipated, but I thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual stimulation alongside the opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. I am very grateful to have been taught by some of the most passionate and inspirational acupuncturists.

I was initially nervous about my final year in clinic, but it exceeded my expectations and cemented my love of this career. I was fortunate to treat a wide range of conditions – including insomnia, overactive bladder and various types of chronic pain – with supportive supervisors enabling me to develop my own authentic treatment style. I now have a particular interest in chronic pain and central sensitisation, especially through the lens of the mind-body connection.

Establishing my practice has been slow but fulfilling. I’m really enjoying creating a warm and welcoming home clinic while also gaining experience at a local clinic in Hitchin. I was also honoured to be asked to assist at CCA where I can continue learning from experienced tutors, as well as supporting future acupuncturists as they begin their own journeys in this wonderful career.

And to finish comes Pinky: Studying at the CCA has been a transformative experience, aligning me with my true purpose. What once felt insurmountable – a journey filled with challenges and uncertainty – has become an enriching and empowering process. CCA provided me with the knowledge to become a practitioner and the space to heal and grow as an individual.

Acupuncture first touched my life as a young girl battling hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis, complicated by a relapse of jaundice. These conditions were not just physically painful – they restricted me from living with the optimism and energy of youth. Acupuncture offered relief, balance, and hope. Though I did not realise it then, those early treatments planted the seed for a path I would one day pursue with intention.

Years later, after losing my father during the Covid pandemic, I found myself seeking healing and direction. That search led me to CCA, a community that embraced me when I needed it most. My interview with Paul Johnson, the course leader, solidified my choice. His passion for acupuncture and his ability to help students see the bigger picture inspired me to take the leap. The journey was not without its challenges. Balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and personal grief often felt overwhelming – yet returning to CCA consistently grounded me. The professors, with their extensive expertise, brought clarity when the path ahead felt uncertain. Their reminder to ‘trust in the process’ became more than mere words – it evolved into a guiding principle that restored my faith and helped me rediscover my purpose.

Today, as a licensed member of the British Acupuncture Council, I am building my practice in London, offering care at a hospice, and contributing as faculty at CCA. To enhance my work, I am pursuing CPD in auricular acupuncture and a diploma in tuina, carving a niche in holistic care. This is just the beginning of a journey I continue to shape with gratitude and an open heart while trusting in the process.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this extraordinary path – you have all played a vital role.