Kate Thomas Email & Phone Number

My work and experience in the field of lived experience and employment is widely applicable, both in the corporate and charity sectors. I have many years’ experience working with over 30 staff with mental health challenges during their employment. I support both staff and their managers. This year I was successful at securing a post of, ‘Lecturer,’ at Exeter University. This focuses on devising and delivering training to NHS cohorts. I really enjoy this post as it is the culmination of many years of experience in the mental health field. I love passing on my experience to others and supporting them to understand and maximise their role. Working in the field of, ‘Lived Experience,’ in 2020 I delivered a project which supports people with mental health difficulties with their employability. This has been the catalyst for building further knowledge and expertise in the employability field. I have used this knowledge to support Peers to work on their own employability, including their mindset and bringing their awareness to self stigma and its reduction. This has enabled one member of our staff to take up a post at Exeter University which has been the epitome of her career.As well as this, I am a Staff Trainer, experienced tutor and I provide mental health support to staff. I have planned and delivered many training courses while working for Second Step, including sessions in the corporate sector. I have worked in the mental health sector for 12 years - 5 years in a housing project for people with complex needs, 3 years as a tutor for people with complex needs and 4 years in staff support supporting staff with complex mental health challenges within a work environment. I also put together and deliver staff training around Peer Support for staff and volunteers.At present I am feeding into the Peer Strategy for our organisation. This has involved devising and delivering workshops across the organisation to ascertain our current practice around the use of lived experience in our organisation. The strategy has included looking at this data to report into our Senior Leadership Team, with a view to improving our approach. This includes a staff support model which I am involved in as a manager of Peers who have lived experience.I am skilled in Interpersonal Skills, handling conflict/difficult incidents, and techniques/application of self management of those in work with a view to supporting them in the workplace. I have a Master's degree in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, from University of the West of England.

Listed skills include Mental Health, Customer Service, Microsoft Office, Leadership Development, and 7 others.