COMMUNITY, YOUTH & MENTAL HEALTH WORK

Community Work

Before the pandemic, I co-founded and co-managed a much-loved arts practice called Nice Time Arts, based in Hulme, Manchester with the lovely Vicky from Pen Fight Distro. We were committed to two key principles; accessibility and affordability. We ran high quality & supportive arts workshops in-house, as well as on location in partnership with Trafford Libraries Trust, Manchester Art Gallery and more. Our regular groups included Zine Club, Spoonie Artists and Queer Craft Club. I wrote and delivered a successful pilot run of a CBT x Art Journaling 6-week programme, which I am currently looking to reinstate as an online offer.

I have three years of experience working in statutory inpatient mental health settings, including acute mental health wards and high security hospitals, running run arts, crafts and well-being workshops.

I’ve worked as a trained telephone and online counsellor for ChildLine, and have provided one-to-one mental health support throughout my career, both to individual young people and adults, as well as through group work. I have various CPD certificates and am currently finishing my MSc Psychology thesis (University of Liverpool, BPS accredited).

Under the moniker ‘Still Ill OK’ I currently provide advocacy, workshops, mentoring and training to vulnerable adults & young people with a general focus on well-being, education, benefits, employability and safe campaigning.

Youth Work

I have 11 years experience as a youth worker, working in particular with vulnerable young people aged 6 – 25yrs. I have a great deal of experience working one-to-one with young people as well as managing staff and large groups on outings and events. I have designed and managed a number of projects which are still running effectively today, in London, Oxford, Berlin and Manchester.

I have also been a low-cost private tutor and mentor for 9 years, and can provide references from many age and language groups. I teach English as a foreign language (TEFL-UK Qualified), as well as a variety of GCSE and AS/A Level subjects; History, English (All), Psychology, Sociology, R.S.

I specialise in working with young people who have what are sometimes labelled as ‘behavioural and emotional difficulties’. I can write and deliver high quality (award-nominated) youth work programmes & singular workshops, as well as deliver & adapt existing material.