Jean Hesketh - Jean has worked in the mental health field for about 24 years, and started up a counselling service at a mental health charity 10 years ago. Jean started to run self-help groups with Mike Wilson, and they ran a joint expressive art course in 2009. Her hobbies are singing and painting. Seven years ago, Jean helped open an art studio in Bolton with another friend who has mental health problems, which was a dream come true. The vision is to offer spaces for people with depression to go and use the arts in a welcoming environment and they have regular exhibitions. Jean believes that the arts are a way to bring “freedom and healing” to any individual. Paul Johnston - Paul is a service user volunteer who has worked in various voluntary capacities, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, peer mentoring and as a nursing assistant working with adolescents who have mental health difficulties. Paul is a member of the Recovery Academy Steering Group and has been involved with the development of the Academy. He believes the Academy will have a significant impact to the lives of the Trust’s patients in the Edenfield Centre in particular. Ian Lowens - Ian is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working within primary and secondary care for the Trust. He has a long standing interest in cognitive behavioural approaches to working with distress, especially ‘third wave’ approaches such as Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Garry Lythgoe - Garry has lived experience of psychosis. In his own words: “I’ve had a great deal of help and support from services over the years and I’ve made every effort to learn as much as I possibly can to help me live with ‘my psychosis’. I’m really easy going, and I hope I can make you smile.” Chris McGowan - Chris is a dual qualified nurse, having achieved his Registered General Nurse qualification in 1988 and his Registered Mental Health Nurse qualification in 1993. He has worked as a senior nurse in a variety of settings, both ward based and community. Chris is presently seconded to the Trust’s Alcohol & Drugs Directorate Training Team for three days a week, while continuing to practice as a Senior Substance Misuse Practitioner for Community Services for two days a week. He has particular experience in brief interventions, dual diagnosis, and community assisted alcohol withdrawal; and has a special interest in the solution focused approach to recovery from substance addiction. Stephen Maloney - Stephen is a Specialist Psychosocial Interventions (PSI) Trainer, and has been involved in substance misuse services as a service user, volunteer, and paid worker since 1987. He attained a degree in Philosophy in 2000 and then went on to achieve a post-graduate diploma in counselling (CBT Model) in 2004. Since then, he has practiced as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Shared Care Practitioner, Group Development Worker, Service User Involvement Lead, and Psychosocial Intervention Lead. He has a great deal of experience in practicing and training others in both Node-Link Mapping and Motivational Interviewing. Alison Manzi - Alison is a former teacher and examiner, and is passionate about learning and development in general. Having suffered a severe period of illness after childbirth, Alison has been in recovery ever since, and is still a service user. With degrees in Psychology, Alison has some insight into various aspects of mental health and recovery, and for all these reasons, is very excited to be involved in the Recovery Academy.
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Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust