Hugh Asher Email & Phone Number

Strontian, Scotland, Gb

Strontian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Inspiring people to improve their wellbeing, to help others, and to help the planet through increased nature connection. I provide in-person and online support to build, develop and enhance peoples' connection with nature through guided Forest Therapy walks, self-help guides and nature-connection programmes. I am particularly interested in developing resources to support people with limited access to nature, especially those in prison.

Strontian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Using nature and agriculture to work with people with a range of needs including, autism, learning disabilities, mental health and wellbeing issues and offending behaviours.

Strontian, Highland, United Kingdom

Drawing on over a decade of experience of working with people with complex needs in custodial environments, and of training a wide range of criminal justice professionals, as Director and lead trainer at Soma Ltd., I design and deliver bespoke training packages to improve practitioner skills and confidence for a range of custodial and community organisations and agencies.

Uk Wide

Back part-time working for KeyRing again, currently undertaking a Big Lottery-Funded scoping exercise looking at gaps in the system for people with Learning Disabilities and Autism in the Criminal Justice System in England, Wales and Scotland.

Scotland

Currently undertaking a 6-month contract with the Samaritans supporting the implementation of new training content for Listeners across Scottish Prisons.

England And Wales

• Designing and delivering learning disability and autism awareness training to professionals across the criminal justice system in England and Wales. This covers: understanding learning disabilities and autism; learning disabilities, autism and mental health; responsibilities under current legislation; communication strategies; and strategies to improve working practices.• Chairing the ‘Working for Justice’ group in partnership with The Prison Reform Trust. This is a focus group for people… Show more • Designing and delivering learning disability and autism awareness training to professionals across the criminal justice system in England and Wales. This covers: understanding learning disabilities and autism; learning disabilities, autism and mental health; responsibilities under current legislation; communication strategies; and strategies to improve working practices.• Chairing the ‘Working for Justice’ group in partnership with The Prison Reform Trust. This is a focus group for people with learning disabilities and co-existing mental health problems who have had experience of the criminal justice system. • Marketing the ‘Equal and Fair Project’ and devising strategies to optimise its reach. Contributing to research and consultations on internal and external policies, procedures, strategies and systems. Show less

• Conducting literature reviews on responses to diversity in prisons. Undertaking research and data collection in prisons. Organising and coordinating Research Steering Groups. Recruiting research participants. Supporting the data collection, preparing findings reports and presenting findings.

North West England

• Established Lifeline Prisons Team Continuing Professional Development Unit and gained recognition of the unit as a National Open College Network (NOCN) Qualification Provider.• Developed a Level 3 NOCN qualification in Tackling Substance Use• Delivered and facilitated modules on the NOCN Tackling Substance Use course• Developed Continuous Professional Development Portfolio support material for Prison Drug Workers in the North West Area based on Drug and Alcohol National… Show more • Established Lifeline Prisons Team Continuing Professional Development Unit and gained recognition of the unit as a National Open College Network (NOCN) Qualification Provider.• Developed a Level 3 NOCN qualification in Tackling Substance Use• Delivered and facilitated modules on the NOCN Tackling Substance Use course• Developed Continuous Professional Development Portfolio support material for Prison Drug Workers in the North West Area based on Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS)• Wrote and developed group work packages for H.M. Prison Service’s Drug Strategy Unit and National Drug Programmes Development Unit as part of the nationally delivered 28 day psychosocial Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS).• Wrote, developed and delivered training to Prison Staff in Substance Awareness; Blood Borne Virus Awareness; Harm Reduction, Overdose and Drug Related Deaths; and Group work Facilitation Skills• 9 month secondment to H.M. Prison Service North West Area Office and based at HMP Risley. The role involved assessing, developing and improving Drug Support provision to prisoners on the Drug Support Unit.• Membership of the PSO 4350 Effective Regimes validation committee in the North West Region of HM Prison Service. Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Applied Social Science

I wrote my thesis on 'Influences on Engagement with Drug-Treatment in Prisons: Environmental, Personal and Procedural Factors'. My.

Certificate In Post Compulsory Education, Teaching

Master’S Degree, Substance Misuse, Merit

Bachelor’S Degree, Social Work And Welfare Studies, 2:1