Academic staff

I have been an occupational therapist for a long time. Most of the work I have done has been working with and furthering the participation of people with severe mental illness living in the community. This is through working as a clinician, team manager, researcher, trainer, project manager, professional lead in collaboration with service users in a statutory and third sector agencies.

Access to employment for people with mental illness has been the focus- the most recent project in developing roles and changing local policy in an NHS trust for lived experience practitioners.

Working in teams and what influences their effectiveness has been of interest and when working in assertive outreach I worked on research to explore the Factors related to successful implementation of assertive outreach teams. This led to working to promote this approach across the UK with the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

As an occupational therapist working in mental health, to co- lead the research in relation to the professional role of occupational therapy in mental health for the professional body, Royal College of Occupational Therapy, was a privilege. This led to a 10 year strategy for the profession across the UK.

Support needs of people with high functioning autism at work.

Before coming to LSBU, I led a 3 year KTP project about how to develop lived experience practitioner roles, while employed in an NHS Trust, with a university. This has led to lasting change in this organisation and for service users that may be needing this care. Having someone with lived experience be part of the clinical team- shows that work is possible, valued to all.

Courses taught

Occupational Therapy (pre-registration mode) - PGDIP/MSc

Occupational Therapy - BSc (Hons)