Recruited as Covid-19 Inquiry Manager to explore lessons learnt from the pandemic

In 2022, I was appointed as the Psychology Support Lead for OneLife/MoreLife (see below), my responsibilitiesinclude: conducting mental health assessments, developing and delivering training, delivering clinicalsupervision, offering psychological input in multidisciplinary meetings, building strong relationships across teams and contracts, and completing clinical assessments.

I teach a disability and health lecture once a year at The University of Manchester to Clinical and Health Psychology MSc students. Topics include: whether physically disabled young adults are motivated to exercise, non transferring disabled people's experience of healthcare and emergency services, the social model of disability and health professional's communication skills with disabled patients.

You Own It is the first online network within UK dedicated specifically around health and wellness challenges. It's an empowering place for individuals to take ownership over their health and wellness in a non-judgemental and safe way. We encourage active community engagement through our ambassador programme. I am responsible for every element of the website, including: branding, content creation, social media promotion, blogging, overseeing contributor articles, liaising with relevant… Show more You Own It is the first online network within UK dedicated specifically around health and wellness challenges. It's an empowering place for individuals to take ownership over their health and wellness in a non-judgemental and safe way. We encourage active community engagement through our ambassador programme. I am responsible for every element of the website, including: branding, content creation, social media promotion, blogging, overseeing contributor articles, liaising with relevant professionals and organisations and networking. Show less

I offer psychological coaching in a flexible manner and tailor my services to best suit an individual's needs. I touch upon several therapeutic techniques, such as compassionate mind therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy. This role requires patience, empathy, compassion and sensitivity, and I am often working with individuals who are experiencing great emotional distress.

As an active, independent, disabled woman, it is essential that I manage a good team of Personal Assistants (PAs) in order for me to achieve professional and personal goals. I have therefore become an expert in managing people. My role as an employer requires me to:• Be able to efficiently advertise and recruit PAs. Once applications are received, I am required to inspect them thoroughly to check for skills that I require.• I am responsible for managing their pay, through… Show more As an active, independent, disabled woman, it is essential that I manage a good team of Personal Assistants (PAs) in order for me to achieve professional and personal goals. I have therefore become an expert in managing people. My role as an employer requires me to:• Be able to efficiently advertise and recruit PAs. Once applications are received, I am required to inspect them thoroughly to check for skills that I require.• I am responsible for managing their pay, through PAYE, which requires me to be competent at budgeting.• I provide ongoing training when necessary. • A high level of organisation is required for managing a team, due to providing them with an appropriate rota and having contingency plans in place for when and if a PA cannot support me for the day. • In order for me to be an effective employer, it is essential for me to maintain successful relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds by being diplomatic, being able to manage conflict management, to motivate others and having attention to detail such as, verifying insurance). Show less

Working with OneLife Suffolk as the Psychology Support Lead. Skills include: mental health assessments, facilitating clinical supervision and conducting clinical observations

Leading a project around disability, racism and Covid-19. Responsible for research and engagement

As well as being an Adult Weight Management Practitioner for MoreLife (see below), I was appointed as the Team Lead in 2021. I manage a team of twelve practitioners and extra responsibilities include team appraisals, general HR processes, communicating and motivating the team to deliver operational objectives, liaising with other teams within MoreLife and providing relevant teaching and training to staff. Since being in post, I have also delivered training across the whole organisation around… Show more As well as being an Adult Weight Management Practitioner for MoreLife (see below), I was appointed as the Team Lead in 2021. I manage a team of twelve practitioners and extra responsibilities include team appraisals, general HR processes, communicating and motivating the team to deliver operational objectives, liaising with other teams within MoreLife and providing relevant teaching and training to staff. Since being in post, I have also delivered training across the whole organisation around the Social Model of Disability and how to implement a Person-Centred approach within MoreLife. Post-delivering this training, I converted standard documents to being ‘dyslexia friendly’ and staff across the whole organisation have done the same. I have also delivered psychological training to colleagues such as how to effectively use Motivational Interviewing. I have led on implementing and delivering our service to unrepresentative groups for clients who have language barriers and/or various physical and learning disabilities and therefore unable to join mainstream groups. This demonstrates that I am proactive, and solution focussed in my approach. Show less

I work for a Tier 3 service to support overweight and obese individuals manage their weight. This is through a psycho-educational, behavioural change intervention. I work with groups as well as one-to-one clients and use motivational interviewing and goal setting as my main techniques. It is imperative that I work in supporting MoreLife to achieve the commissioned KPI’s set out for the service. I also ensure that I conduct appropriate clinical assessments for clients and communicate regularly… Show more I work for a Tier 3 service to support overweight and obese individuals manage their weight. This is through a psycho-educational, behavioural change intervention. I work with groups as well as one-to-one clients and use motivational interviewing and goal setting as my main techniques. It is imperative that I work in supporting MoreLife to achieve the commissioned KPI’s set out for the service. I also ensure that I conduct appropriate clinical assessments for clients and communicate regularly with them in between sessions. I support the administration process in engaging with clients and undertake timely data collection which is updated on relevant systems within 48 hours post-communication with clients. This role requires patience and empathy due to the stigma that exists around weight management. Show less

I offer varied Health Psychology Consultancy to Managers/Organisations who wish to take up this service. As part of my training to be a Health Psychologist, I have just completed my first consultancy project with a local social enterprise. I worked with a team of colleagues teaching them strategies to reduce their stress and to improve their productivity levels. I used a combination of behavioural change techniques guided by the behavioural change wheel along with the Health Behaviour… Show more I offer varied Health Psychology Consultancy to Managers/Organisations who wish to take up this service. As part of my training to be a Health Psychologist, I have just completed my first consultancy project with a local social enterprise. I worked with a team of colleagues teaching them strategies to reduce their stress and to improve their productivity levels. I used a combination of behavioural change techniques guided by the behavioural change wheel along with the Health Behaviour Change Competency Framework. Intervention strategies used elements such as Compassionate Focussed Therapy and Mindfulness Stress Reduction. Show less

Volunteering with the leading Disabled Person's Organisation in Manchester, for their 'Well Aware' project, to encourage young disabled people to lead active and healthy lives. The project is currently formulating plans to devise sessions on health education and behaviour change techniques such as healthy eating, exercise, mindfulness, yoga, sexual health and confidence building. My role consists of conducting quantitative and qualitative research into the needs and wants of young disabled… Show more Volunteering with the leading Disabled Person's Organisation in Manchester, for their 'Well Aware' project, to encourage young disabled people to lead active and healthy lives. The project is currently formulating plans to devise sessions on health education and behaviour change techniques such as healthy eating, exercise, mindfulness, yoga, sexual health and confidence building. My role consists of conducting quantitative and qualitative research into the needs and wants of young disabled people in terms of investigating how they can lead healthier lives. I also offer peer to peer support whilst and deliver health education. Show less

I sit on the board of the third largest charity in the UK. I have joined at a crucial time with the charity implementing its new strategic plan. The plan is exciting yet ambitious and will take a number of years to roll out. I have been recruited to the board due to my history in the disabled students’ movement as well as a wealth of personal experience. I am currently the youngest member of the board and as I have only just been recruited, I am hoping I can influence and advise the charity in… Show more I sit on the board of the third largest charity in the UK. I have joined at a crucial time with the charity implementing its new strategic plan. The plan is exciting yet ambitious and will take a number of years to roll out. I have been recruited to the board due to my history in the disabled students’ movement as well as a wealth of personal experience. I am currently the youngest member of the board and as I have only just been recruited, I am hoping I can influence and advise the charity in terms of policy and campaigns and keeping them up to date with regards to what young disabled people want. It is my responsibility to ensure that:• Correct laws, policies and procedures are followed according to the Charity Commission’s guidance. Show less

I wrote a monthly column for the largest online community for disabled people. My blog consisted of exploring the intricate relationship between disabled people and their Personal Assistants (PA). The aim of the blog was to highlight that there were common issues surrounding being an employer of PAs but with the right attitude and skills, disabled people and their PAs can have a great relationship.

My role as Disability Adviser involved:• Providing expert one-to-one advice and guidance to students. • Thorough knowledge of legal frameworks such as the Equality Act, and what student funding support may be offered, such as Disabled Students’ Allowances.• Writing individual support agreements for students and staff so that both parties understood what reasonable adjustments may have been needed for that student to work independently in order to achieve their goals… Show more My role as Disability Adviser involved:• Providing expert one-to-one advice and guidance to students. • Thorough knowledge of legal frameworks such as the Equality Act, and what student funding support may be offered, such as Disabled Students’ Allowances.• Writing individual support agreements for students and staff so that both parties understood what reasonable adjustments may have been needed for that student to work independently in order to achieve their goals. • Contributing to institutional policy and guidance around disability, such as debating whether or not to have a Fitness for Study procedure.• Providing training to members of staff within the university so that there was a general understanding of disability awareness, whereby the Social Model of Disability was emphasised. Show less

The GMCDP is a disabled-led run organisation, for disabled people, that was established in 1985. I have just become a member of the GMCDP’s young people’s steering group. My role as a member will be to:• Promote the independence and integration of young disabled people in society• Identify and challenge the discrimination faced by young disabled people in society today• Encourage and support the self-organisation of disabled people in general• Run information… Show more The GMCDP is a disabled-led run organisation, for disabled people, that was established in 1985. I have just become a member of the GMCDP’s young people’s steering group. My role as a member will be to:• Promote the independence and integration of young disabled people in society• Identify and challenge the discrimination faced by young disabled people in society today• Encourage and support the self-organisation of disabled people in general• Run information sharing events e.g. around independent living • Provide training for other members • Respond to in consultations with voluntary and statutory organisations, both locally and nationally, to ensure that disability equality is embedded into the development of local policies and services Show less

This charity is a non-profit company who gained charitable status in 2008. The board is comprised of impartial nominees from local authorities and the National Union of Students UK, along with several independent members.The group provides a quality assurance service for assessment centres and suppliers involved in the delivery of the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) scheme in England and Wales. We measure the quality of the work of organisations conducting DSA needs assessments and… Show more This charity is a non-profit company who gained charitable status in 2008. The board is comprised of impartial nominees from local authorities and the National Union of Students UK, along with several independent members.The group provides a quality assurance service for assessment centres and suppliers involved in the delivery of the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) scheme in England and Wales. We measure the quality of the work of organisations conducting DSA needs assessments and supplying the recommended DSA equipment. My role as a trustee is to:• Provide guidance and expertise to ensure the group abides by charity law and that a disabled student's perspective is provided.• Provide advice to expert financial organisations such as Student Finance England• Assist the Chief Executive Officer with any issues and be a good sounding board Show less

Elected to represent disabled students in further and higher education (FE/HE) across the UK. Voluntary membership organisation, representing interests of more than seven million students. Confederation of 600 students' unions (SUs), amounting to more than 95 per cent of all FE and HE SUs. • Provided accessibility guidance for events - the 2010 Fees March had the highest turnout for disabled students in over a decade. The campaign led and paced the march. Over 50,000 students… Show more Elected to represent disabled students in further and higher education (FE/HE) across the UK. Voluntary membership organisation, representing interests of more than seven million students. Confederation of 600 students' unions (SUs), amounting to more than 95 per cent of all FE and HE SUs. • Provided accessibility guidance for events - the 2010 Fees March had the highest turnout for disabled students in over a decade. The campaign led and paced the march. Over 50,000 students participated. Disability was put at the forefront of the agenda. • Led administration of the disabled students’ committee – ensured access needs were met. Increased campaign’s profile due to committee members being able to actively engage with it. • Engaged with national and local media - other third sector organisations contacted the campaign for expert advice. • Legacy projects:o Access Challenge – increasing accessibility of SUs - the campaign was marketed in a way that non-experts understood. SUs were provided with action plans and achievable goals. Over 50 SUs took part within the first year. o Disabled History Month – re-connecting students to the campaign - Produced a toolkit for SUs and led training for officers – the campaign’s presence on campuses increased dramatically. o Mental Health – challenge perceptions and raise awareness of hidden impairments - Online toolkit developed for students to gain information and share experiences. The toolkit is now successfully used in SUs nationwide.o Personal Care – Conducted research into students’ needs and current policy, putting it across in the form of persuasive written reports and presentations – Launched the ‘Life not Numbers’ report highlighting barriers disabled students faced when needing personal care at university. Government is now taking the concept of personal care seriously and is exploring establishing the first ever national advocacy service for students with personal care needs. Show less

Advised government with regards to making public transport accessible for disabled users.Influenced the development of the Equality Act 2010. Conducted research into accessible transport and worked on policy documents for the Department of Transport. Worked collaboratively with ministers and disabled user-led organisations to seek ways in which the accessibility of transport could be improved.

I established the first ever disabled student society at the University of Manchester. The society incorporating welfare advice, campaigning for equal opportunities and organising social events.My responsibilities were: • Recruiting and training committee members e.g. in managing relationships with members and guest speakers.• Involved with creating a disabled handbook indicating which transport and leisure activities were accessible for disabled students. • Provided… Show more I established the first ever disabled student society at the University of Manchester. The society incorporating welfare advice, campaigning for equal opportunities and organising social events.My responsibilities were: • Recruiting and training committee members e.g. in managing relationships with members and guest speakers.• Involved with creating a disabled handbook indicating which transport and leisure activities were accessible for disabled students. • Provided training for student-run organisations such as Nightline (a confidential listening and information service run for students by students). I have voluntarily trained over 100 Nightline volunteers on disability-related issues and counselling. • Running a Freshers’ Week stand and planning publicity for the society, including planning shifts and providing training for those manning the stall. • Responsible for recruiting over 200 active members to date. Show less

Took part in mentoring scheme for students with disabilities, providing the opportunity to be mentored by a disabled employee in some of the world’s best-known organisations. Mentored by Libby Cross, TV and Radio producer and presenter for the BBC. This gave insight into working with a disability within a highly competitive industry.

Took part in a 5 day work placement at Granada Reports, after sending a speculative CV. Observed the team editing regional programmes, collating vast amounts of information into a 30-minute programme and dealing with constantly-changing news stories. Shadowed Granada Reports presenters, gaining insight into production, research and management.