The Tara Centre is a not-for-profit grassroots organisation dedicated to social justice and the transformative power of love and kindness. We’re passionate about opening up safe spaces for reflection and self-discovery and offer trauma-informed meditation classes, complementary therapy clinics for adults and children, and nature-based group work. We also host an online community for those not able to join us in person.We opened our doors in 2012 and have supported over 1000 people each year since then. We are passionate about social justice and equity of access to support for people facing financial or other disadvantage. Our mission is to create safe spaces of love and refuge for people living with emotional trauma, chronic stress and anxiety, to know that they are not alone and recovery is possible. With the support of over 120 volunteers, we have dedicated ourselves to running Low Cost Trauma Clinics, Low Cost Therapy Clinics, free meditation sessions in the community and wellbeing services for asylum seekers and refugees.We believe that emotional trauma and stress are at the root of most physical and psychological issues. Poverty, discrimination and structural inequality are deeply traumatising. We belive we are relational beings who need each other to heal.OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY is our financial lifeline - proceeds from the Online Community will support our health justice work in solidarity with asylum seekers and refugees, people in recovery from drugs and alcohol, those living with loneliness, long term physical and mental health conditions or in poverty. We host online classes and community sessions for healing, spiritual growth and engaged social action. If you'd like to find out more visit us here www.taracentreonlinecommunity.org.To find out more about what we do find us on www.taracentrelancaster.org.uk or on our Facebook page @taracentrelancaster.

I was a freelance research consultant for 8 years with Collingwood Environmental Planning, London, working for Defra, Natural Environment Research Council, Environment Agency, Respect (a UK membership association for Domestic Violence Perpetrator programmes) and the Forestry Commission.

I'm an experienced multi-disciplinary researcher, facilitator and tutor who, over the last 23 years, have been interested in developing participatory methodologies to improve the health and wellbeing of marginalised and excluded communities. I have worked on several community-based projects that have had an impact on policy and practice whilst redefining notions of ‘expert’ and ‘expertise’. Since 1996, I have primarily been working on processes for involving the public in decision-making and developed a new model of community-based citizens’ juries. My PhD critiqued this work within wider theoretical debates about participation, and focused on elements of my group work that were successful in bringing about change at the local level. As well as a wide experience of qualitative practice and data analysis, I have been involved in many projects specifically focusing on health and well-being in the community and have previously worked with Burnley PCG, Morecambe Bay PCT, North Lancs PCT and Lancashire County Council.I have extensive experience of multi-agency working, working within sensitive and confidential contexts, and working in research projects that contribute to change in practice and policy.

2011-2013 Woodlands Rural Centre, Silverdale (dedicated to mental health and recovery)2009-2012 AAMET EFT Research Committee member 1997-2001 Management Committee member and treasurer of Lancaster Women’s Aid refuge1996-1997 Management Committee member, Lancaster Domestic Violence Inter-agency Forum1993-1996 Co-coordinator, Leicester Domestic Violence Inter-agency Forum, Shelter, Leicester1998-1990 Supporting role for ex-psychiatric patients, C.A.P.O. (Campaign Against Psychiatric Oppression), London1988-1989 Family support volunteer, ‘No.30’, Mother and Baby Heroin Rehabilitation Unit, Westbourne Grove, London