RAFT to Freedom was created by Dr Cathryn Jacob and Vince Cullen. It brings together lived experience, secular dharma, contemporary psychology, and a shared interest in helping people find greater freedom from harmful patterns.
Dr Cathryn Jacob
Cathryn is a retired GP and holds the Royal College of General Practitioners Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Treatment.
Her work with RAFT to Freedom grows from both professional experience and a long personal engagement with recovery, contemplative practice, and secular dharma. After first finding support through a 12-step programme, she became interested in approaches that could speak to people who did not relate to the language of a higher power.
This led her towards secular dharma and the practical teachings of Gotama. Cathryn has studied with Bodhi College, including courses with Stephen and Martine Batchelor, and has a particular interest in bringing together compassionate self-understanding, ethical living, modern psychology, and the everyday practice of freedom.
Her approach is grounded in the belief that lasting change is supported not by shame or force, but by honesty, care, courage, and a willingness to begin again.
Vince Cullen
Vince has thirty years of lived experience of sobriety and a long-standing involvement in Buddhist approaches to recovery and freedom.
His path has included periods of temporary ordination at Wat Thamkrabok in Thailand, a monastery known for its work with addiction, as well as extensive study and practice within secular and insight-based traditions. He has completed practitioner programmes at Gaia House and the Mindfulness Teachers Development Programme at Bodhi College.
Vince founded the Fifth Precept Sangha and has facilitated meetings and Hungry Ghost Retreats internationally for many years. His work has included supporting people in recovery communities and serving as a Buddhist prison chaplain in the United Kingdom.
His contribution to RAFT is rooted in direct experience, long practice, and a deep trust in people’s capacity to change.
A shared vision
Cathryn and Vince created RAFT to Freedom as a freely offered practice of generosity.
Their shared intention is to make practical, compassionate material available to anyone who wishes to understand harmful cravings, aversions, compulsive habits, difficult emotions, or patterns of behaviour that bring suffering.
RAFT to Freedom is not a replacement for medical, psychological, or specialist support. It is a companion for reflection and practice: a place to explore how greater clarity, kindness, courage, and freedom may become possible.
Both Cathryn and Vince can be reached at contact@raft2freedom.org