WHEN homeopath Charlotte Haynes turned 40 last year she saw it as the start of something big.

Wishing to signify a new phase in her life, she founded the Usk Wellbeing Centre.

She said: "I felt the next 40 years were going to open things up for me and to start something new was the best way to go.

"The Wellbeing Centre really appealed to me because of my homeopathic training.

"I wanted to have somewhere where people could receive all kinds of help and there didn't seem to be anything else in the area that could offer a range of treatments."

Ms Haynes grew up in Birmingham but is now a resident of Monmouth. Having begun her career as a metallurgist - she helped BP to develop the latest generation of solar cells - the shift to homeopathy was a big step, requiring a significant leap of faith.

As a scientist she felt she had to understand what was happening and why.

She said: "Homeopathy does not fit into the norms of a material science and conceptually I just couldn't accept it.

"But on the other hand, I could see the results so I had to accept that you don't always have to understand exactly why a process works for it to be valid."

She was first attracted to the subject when her son developed problems with his ears and orthodox medicine decreed nothing could be done for him.

She said: "He would have had to wear a hearing aid, but we took him to see a homeopath and it was amazing how much it helped. "I was hooked on the subject from that moment."

This interest led to a four-year course at The Welsh School of Homeo-pathy in Caernarvon.

The homeopathic principle is based on giving a patient a minute dose of a substance that can provoke the same symptoms they are experiencing. Practitioners claim this stimulates the body's own healing powers to combat the ailment in the most effective way.

Homeopathic remedies are not addictive, do not cause side effects and can be taken alongside medication prescribed by a GP.

Since its opening, the Usk Wellbeing Centre has expanded to include a roster of around a dozen complimentary health practitioners.

Treatments range from acupuncture, reflexology and Indian head massage to crystal therapy, Hopi candles and clinical sports massage.

There are also regular yoga classes and courses designed to introduce people to new branches of healing.

* Pictured: Charlotte Haynes discusses treatment with a client at her clinic (right)