Leigh Simmonds Email & Phone Number

In 2014 after being employed in various roles within ANZ International Trade for 20 years, my increasing interest in social justice and passion for writing, led to undertaking a media qualification and creating a freelance writing business.Freelance writing led to engagement and collaboration on projects delivered by local government and community organisations, and ultimately increased my engagement and interest within areas such as mental health, addiction, social housing, Indigenous affairs, disability and immigration.A desire to shift out of the Corporate Banking Sector and into the Community Sector was solidified and led to accepting a voluntary redundancy from ANZ in 2018, the completion of a Diploma in Community Services in 2018/2019 and a career direction shift into the Community Sector.Tertiary placements and employment within the Community Sector exposed me to more diverse areas of social justice and the disadvantages, quality of life and health disparities experienced by many vulnerable cohorts of people within our communities. This exposure led to a deeper awareness of and interest in, the influence of environment and childhood development upon the life course and health outcomes of individuals. The influence of our experiences and subsequent cognitive function as human beings led to my interest in the study of psychology which has provided a pathway into learning and employment that I feel deeply passionate about and wholeheartedly believe provides increased opportunity to participate and contribute positively to the lives of other people via employment.I have successfully completed a psychology undergraduate degree majoring in Child and Family, am now focused upon post graduate study with research into the associations between socio-economic status, attachment styles, predictive childhood trauma, emerging adulthood and life course health outcomes. I am currently employed as a Case Manager at Bolton Clarke and aim to continue and complete my psychology study through to clinical registration.