“I first met Mandy when I was interviewed on Brooklands Radio for their Just Women show. At the time I had just published my memoir Always With You – and was still in a fairly raw state of grief. Mandy was kind and compassionate as I opened up about my bereavement. When I learnt about the death of her brother and both her mother and father, I was inspired by her strength and positivity and how she had worked through her grief. I understood her pain of loss all too well.” Shalini
Mandy Dineley makes people cry! But, thankfully for all the right reasons! She writes bespoke verses and speeches for all sorts of occasions from weddings, milestone birthdays, christenings to meaningful and sensitive pieces for funerals. She started My Beautiful Pen because, as an ex singer and songwriter, she had always written and it seemed like a natural progression. Writing songs and poems is the same and she loves using words in such a beautiful and powerful way to make a difference to people.
Mandy with her brother Russell and their parents (both who have passed away).
Loss has been a big part of Mandy’s life. Her younger brother died at the age of 39, and soon after Mandy’s beloved mother passed away too. She has also recently lost her father. The fear of losing people she loved was something Mandy had always feared, and working through her grief, whilst still being the best mother she could be to her three young children, proved to be a huge challenge.
“Empowering women is something all women should do when they can – the power in sisterhood is amazing. I believe that we should be lifting each other up and celebrating each other’s achievements and holding each other up when we fall. Life can be hard and the power of champions and friends who are the champions can change people’s lives. Support is so beautiful and so powerful.”
54-year-old Mandy lives in Hampshire with her husband and three young children.
Mandy is a people-person and finds inspiration in all the people she meets. But it is her mother, who even though not around, continues to inspire Mandy. Mandy remembers her as a loving, kind woman who was always smiling despite the many struggles that she faced in her lifetime.
Three questions for Mandy:
What book has inspired you the most in your life, and why?
Too many to say, so many, but one that I can think of that inspired me is ‘The Five People You Meet In Heavan’ by Mitch Albom. I found it spiritual and thought-provoking. The lessons are here for us on earth, if only we would listen.
What does feminism mean to you?
My version of feminism would be for a more equal world for all women, in the workplace and at home. To allow us to speak as equally as our male counterparts. I just want the world to be a much fairer and kinder place for both women and men. Women should not have the monopoly, but we should be considered equal in all aspects of life.
What legacy do you want to leave in this lifetime?
I would like to be remembered for being a good mum to my three children and partner to my husband and for helping people to change their negative behaviour towards others, to show more love and more understanding and to always smell the roses.
Mandy’s message to other women is:
“Be kind to yourself, talk to yourself as if you were a five-year-old. And, believe that you can sit at anyone’s table – you are enough.”
Social Media Details
Facebook: @MyBeautifulPen
Twitter: @Penndin
Instagram: @mybeautifulpen
LinkedIn: Mandy Dineley
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