An interview with Katy Morgan-Davies by Juanita Woodward

What have you enjoyed since moving to Palm Cove Society?

So many things! I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. I’m so happy I’m now able to choose my own reading material and watch what I want on TV! Everything was so controlled when I was forced to live with the cult.

I’m very passionate about politics and human rights, I have recently joined the labour party and enjoyed canvassing. I also support Amnesty International.

I have discovered a love of cooking and enjoy trying new recipes.

I liked being involved in the church choir, I love singing. Yvonne and Gerard (Palm Cove Society) took me to see Drake perform at the O2 Arena, it was my first concert and I really enjoyed his performance.

I love colouring my hair and trying out different makeup looks, I can now buy high heeled shoes, clothes and jewellery.

What would you like to do in the future?

I would like to become a Counsellor. I would find helping improve people’s lives very rewarding.

I want to learn to swim and I would love to travel abroad in the future. I’m excited about making new memories. The first countries on my bucket list are Ireland, Italy and America.

I am currently working on my biography and would like nothing more than to publish this along with my poems. When I was held by the cult I wrote poems religiously, I was always worried that I would die in the cult and nobody would get to read my poems!

There are so many other activities I’d like to try.

What did Palm Cove Society help you to learn?

Palm Cove Society took me in and taught me a lot. For the first time in my life, my opinion was asked for and considered – this was a new feeling.

Yvonne and Gerard taught me how to make decisions, manage money and shop, use public transport and how to walk down the street safely and navigate from A to B. They helped me build up my self-esteem, make eye contact in conversation and generally build up my self-confidence. They assisted me with general day to day life skills. I continue to build on these skills.

What do you think your main achievements are?

I think my main achievements so far are all the skills I’ve learnt in the last 3 years which now enable me to live independently. I’m now self-sufficient, I live in my own flat, I attend college and have made new friends.

Yvonne and Gerard bought me an iPod, iPad and smartphone, which has enabled me to embrace modern technology, which has opened a whole new world.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like listening to the birds sing. I love nature and learning about wildlife. I enjoy a good horror movie, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Coronation street, reading, writing, poetry, singing, cooking, fashion, dressing up, make-up, shoes, clothes handbags, jewellery, Psychology and Philosophy. I like listening to all kinds of music, especially Country Music and Daniel O’Donnell.

What are you most passionate about?

I’m passionate about helping other people. I don’t like anyone to feel alone, isolated or misunderstood because I used to feel like that all the time.

I’m passionate about nature, when we get in touch with nature I believe it helps us to connect with our higher selves. I also believe we shouldn’t hold grudges. Life is too short to argue, we should learn to forgive.

My favourite quote is “We’re are all walking each other home” by Ram Dass.

What challenges you?

My lack of confidence, I’m often afraid of saying the wrong thing or getting embarrassed for saying the wrong thing, I struggle with social anxiety.

Who are you heroes?

Martin Luther King
Nelson Mandela
Gandhi
Dalai Lama

Because I believe in unconditional love, peace and forgiveness. I accept everyone for who they are. Rather than judging and condemning people, love them for who they are and help them to be the best version of themselves. Katie wished to conclude the interview by adding her favourite word:
“Cwtch, which is welsh for cuddle, people should cuddle more.”