WOMEN IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITIES

By Sharon Platt-McDonald

BUC Director for Women’s Ministries, Health Ministries and Adventist Community Services

Our British Union Conference (BUC) Women’s Ministries Department are acknowledging SDA women who are positively impacting their communities. We continue our series of spotlighting influential SDA women, captured in this interview with Dr Lucille Fifield, a Doctor of Naturopathy in Original Medicine. She is a passionate advocate for true health reform and is the Health Director of Manna House Health Education & Wellness CIC.

Dr Lucille Fifield ND, MBA, MPH, BSC, RGN, HV 

SPM - Dr. Lucille, please share with our readers your inspiration to pursue a career in health.

Lucille - I have always had an interest in health. As a teenager, I was a long-time member of St John Ambulance and also volunteered in a nursing home. After excellent A-level results, I left university after a year and began nurse training at 19. There wasn’t a dramatic inspiration, just a desire to be trained and paid at the same time. It has been a varied vocation and a strong foundation for what I do now.

SPM – How did you sense God’s leading?

Lucille - Unfortunately in my nursing, many decisions did not involve God. Then, I had an epiphany as an NHS Associate Director. After a change in government, funding was withdrawn and I was required to dismantle services I had helped establish. God asked me a consequential question: “What is your legacy?” At that point I surrendered my will to Him and began to see His leading clearly.

At 46, after waiting over a year for voluntary redundancy, I walked away. At 48, I chose to be re-baptised, and God clearly showed His hand in my life. Looking back, it felt like a ‘Paul’s Arabian desert’ season, a time of learning and change. Around that time I felt impressed to enroll on the Lay Institute of Health Evangelism (LIGHT) online health coaching course. From then, the rest is history.

Sharon Platt-McDonald presenting the Global Women's Ministries certificate to Dr Lucille Fifield

SPM – What are your areas of expertise?

Lucille - I see myself as a naturopathic generalist; I work across a wide range of conditions and present on many health topics. One area of particular interest is metabolic syndrome—obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—especially within the British African Caribbean community, where poorer outcomes occur earlier.

Another area of keen interest is the body chemistry assessment which helps identify likely root contributors and habits that may be driving a person’s condition, so support is personalised. This helps identify root contributors and habits driving illness so care can be personalised. Scripture has shaped my thinking based on biblical references for wholistic living to avoid sickness.

Dr Fifield guiding medical missionary students during Manna House's medical missionary training.

SPM – Tell us about your current health establishment - Manna House, and what you offer.

Lucille - Setting up this ministry was God’s leading. My husband and I work side by side; I couldn’t do it without him. He’s the property developer and I have the inspired vision. We began in 2017 with a 12-bedroom property in Stoke-on-Trent and moved to Leeming Garth Manor (LGM) in April 2023. LGM has 32 guest bedrooms, 5 therapy rooms, a training room and a chapel.

Leeming Garth Manor, North Yorkshire

Our core offer is residential retreats: the 7-day Refresh for those who consider themselves healthy and want to elevate wellbeing; the 10-day Restore for individuals facing health challenges; and Restore Plus for a more intensive, extended approach for significant challenges.

We became a not-for-profit company in 2019 and alongside residential retreats, we support community health events, online education, and overseas outreach.

SPM –  What prevalent health challenges are noted in individuals attending Manna House?

Lucille - Most guests arrive with symptoms of metabolic syndrome or other lifestyle-related diseases. Many are weary of increasing medication and experience diabetes distress. Our programmes focus on informed commitment, often resulting in medication reduction and, in many cases, disease reversal under appropriate clinical oversight.

Dr Fifield presenting to the community at Battersea Art Centre, London

SPM – Share some success stories from individuals whom you have worked with?

Lucille - There are many.  One example involves an elderly woman with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes whose glucose levels normalised within days, leading her consultant to stop insulin under supervision. Another guest with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) later returned to work after 12 years away, and her MS has not progressed.

SPM – Share a key message you would like to leave with our readers on maintaining well-being?

Lucille - God has given us a powerful health message. We call it Perfect Health: Perfect Circulation, True Temperance, and Love, Joy, and Hope. My appeal is simple: start with one practical step today, and if you would value support or training to serve others, consider a retreat at Manna House and certified medical missionary training through our LIGHT affiliation.

SPM – Thank you Dr Lucille for your ministry and the blessings it brings to lives.

For further info

Email: admin@mannahousehealth.co.uk

Website: www.mannahousehealth.com

Whatsapp: +44 7777 450 701