Alexandra Catherwood

As part of the Alcohol and Drug: Empowering People Through Therapy (AD:EPT) team, I provide person-centred interventions to individuals in custody experiencing substance misuse and complex mental health needs. Working within a multidisciplinary environment, I conduct comprehensive assessments, develop personalised recovery plans, and deliver evidence-informed interventions aimed at reducing harm, improving wellbeing, and supporting long-term recovery. I work collaboratively with service users to enhance their understanding of substance use, trauma, emotional wellbeing, and relapse prevention while promoting safer decision-making and resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments to identify, prioritise, and respond to individual needs and risks.
• Deliver one-to-one interventions focused on harm reduction, recovery planning, emotional wellbeing, and behavioural change.
• Facilitate group interventions, including Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery), supporting individuals to develop practical coping strategies and maintain motivation for change.
• Deliver a trauma psychoeducation programme, helping clients understand the impact of trauma on the brain and behaviour, explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), develop emotional regulation skills, and build resilience.
• Provide auricular acupuncture to support withdrawal management, stress reduction, emotional regulation, and relaxation.
• Deliver pre-release interventions, including overdose prevention, risk assessment, safety planning, community reintegration support, and signposting to relevant services.
• Provide Naloxone training and education to reduce the risk of drug-related deaths.
• Maintain accurate case notes, assessments, and intervention records in line with organisational and professional standards.
• Liaise effectively with healthcare professionals, prison staff, and external agencies to coordinate care, facilitate referrals, and support continuity of care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary discussions to support service users' recovery, wellbeing, and risk management.

Planned and delivered progressive gymnastics programmes for children and young people aged 4–18, adapting sessions to meet individual abilities and developmental needs. Supervised and supported junior coaches, conducted risk assessments, and maintained a safe and positive training environment.

Key Skills

• Planning and Organisation: Designed structured sessions tailored to participants' age, ability, and progression goals.
• Leadership and Communication: Supported and guided gymnasts and junior coaches, fostering confidence, motivation, and skill development.
• Health and Safety: Conducted risk assessments and ensured a safe environment for both participants and staff.

Lifeguard

Responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of pool users through vigilant supervision, risk awareness, and effective emergency response. As a qualified First Aider, I responded appropriately to incidents while following established safety procedures. I also assisted with the safe set-up and dismantling of equipment and contributed to the day-to-day operation of the centre.

Key Skills

• Vigilance and Decision-Making: Maintained a high level of awareness to identify potential risks and take prompt, appropriate action when required.
• Teamwork and Communication: Worked collaboratively with colleagues to ensure a safe environment, particularly during emergencies and equipment handling.
• Customer Service: Interacted professionally with facility users and supported a positive and safe experience for all visitors.

Receptionist | Queen's University Physical Education Centre

Provided professional and efficient customer service to centre users through face-to-face interactions, telephone enquiries, email correspondence, and social media platforms. Responsible for managing bookings, processing payments, maintaining accurate records, and controlling access to facilities while ensuring a positive customer experience.

Key Skills

• Administration and IT Skills: Operated booking, membership, and point-of-sale (POS) systems, maintaining accurate records and monitoring customer information.
• Communication: Responded effectively to enquiries across multiple channels, providing clear information and resolving issues in a professional manner.
• Organisation and Multi-tasking: Managed competing demands, including customer enquiries, administrative tasks, and facility access control in a busy environment.
• Customer Service: Delivered a friendly and professional service to support customer satisfaction, retention, and a positive user experience.

Supervised by Dr Emma Barkus and Tamlyn Watermeyer

Supported the design and implementation of an online research study investigating social and physical anhedonia, loneliness, apathy, and fatigue in individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy control participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisted in the preparation of ethics application documentation.
• Conducted literature reviews to support study development and research design.
• Assisted with participant recruitment and study administration.
• Contributed to the delivery and implementation of psychological research procedures.