Jidapha, 47, has eight years’ experience in massage therapy but has a lifetime of knowledge, as her parents run a wellness centre in Thailand. She came to England in 1995 and previously ran a sandwich business in Worthing with her husband Alan. Massage is now their passion and Jidapha loves not only helping her own clients but training other therapists, too, all at the spa studio at their home in Ashacre Lane. Jidapha won a gold medal in the wellness category at the world massage championship in Denmark in May, then she finished third overall at the recent national massage championship in London, having won first place in eastern massage. She has since been invited to teach in Romania and offered a free place at another championship, in Italy. Jidapha said: “This year seems to be my year. We have done so much better than we were hoping when we started up at home. “I think it is because we give more than we take and we look after them like family. “I love it. The championships were a good opportunity to mix with people who do massage, they always have a good energy. They like to give and they are so welcoming.” Jidapha has worked the Thai princesses and does a lot of charity work in England. Graham Carpenter, a client for many years, said: “She is a good caring lady who works hard and asks for nothing.” Jidapha gained her first qualifications at the Union of Thai Traditional Medicine Society of Thailand in 2011. Making many return trips to Thailand training and studying, she has been able to achieve the status of Thai master. She has also supplemented her skills with VTCT qualifications here in England. Jidapha added: “The wellness massage is a beautiful massage. I just want people to see how beautiful it is. The Thai culture is to look after you and help you get better. “It is something you have to love and enjoy, and I do. I have a good energy and I never stop myself.” Jidapha wants to continue to learn and gain experience, and to pass that on to the students who come to her studio from far and wide. Visit www.jidaphas-spa.com for more information. Charity day at The Albion Inn, Fishersgate, ‘absolutely fantastic’ Fantastic atmosphere at GreenDreams festival, returning bigger and better than ever before Meet Up Mondays launch ‘could not have gone better’
