Chantelle Richardson
Wandsworth,United Kingdom
Summary
Psychology graduate with extensive experience in healthcare, support, and advocacy, specialising in mental health recovery and complex needs. Achieving a 2:1 (75%) through long‑distance learning while recovering from a brain injury reflects strong resilience, discipline, and time‑management skills. Personal experience of neurological rehabilitation gives me a deep, authentic understanding of neurodiversity and the value of individualised, person‑centred support.
I have worked across a range of frontline roles supporting adults with mental health difficulties, co‑occurring conditions, and challenging life circumstances. My voluntary work in prison settings and addiction services has strengthened my ability to provide calm, empathetic, and practical support to vulnerable individuals. I am skilled in adapting communication styles, building trusting relationships, managing conflict, and delivering holistic, strengths‑based interventions.
Compassionate, motivated, and committed to making a meaningful difference, I bring a collaborative approach and a strong belief in empowering people to improve their wellbeing and achieve their goals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
domestic abuse befriender
Hestia
London
2024.11 - Current
- Provided empathetic, trauma‑informed emotional support to individuals experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse, helping them feel heard, validated, and safe.
- Built trusting, professional relationships that encouraged confidence, self‑esteem, and empowerment during periods of significant vulnerability.
- Supported service users to access practical resources such as housing, legal advice, financial support, and specialist domestic abuse services.
- Helped individuals develop safety plans, identify risks, and make informed decisions about their wellbeing and future.
- Accompanied service users to appointments, court hearings, or community services where appropriate, offering reassurance and advocacy.
- Encouraged social connection and reduced isolation through regular check‑ins, community engagement, and confidence‑building activities.
- Maintained accurate, confidential records and followed safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety of service users and their families.
- Worked collaboratively with support workers, IDVAs, social care, and other agencies to ensure coordinated, holistic support.
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
HOARDING UK
London
2023.06 - 2026.01
- Provided independent advocacy to individuals experiencing hoarding disorder, ensuring their views, rights, and wishes were represented in all interactions with services and agencies.
- Supported clients in communicating with local authorities, housing teams, social care, and other professionals to secure appropriate support and prevent crisis interventions.
- Helped individuals understand legal requirements and statutory processes related to housing, safeguarding, and environmental health, promoting informed decision-making.
- Offered empathetic, non-judgemental support, listening to clients’ experiences and helping them access statutory advocacy or additional services where needed.
- Facilitated communication between clients and external agencies reducing conflict and promoting collaborative, person-centred solutions.
- Worked with families, professionals, and community partners to develop safe, sustainable plans that respected autonomy while addressing risk.
- Maintained confidential records and adhered to safeguarding procedures to ensure client safety and service quality.
Mental health Advocate
Rethink Mental Illness
London
2023.06 - 2026.01
- Supported individuals to understand their rights under mental health and social care legislation, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care.
- Provided independent advocacy to help people express their views, wishes, and concerns when engaging with NHS services, social services, or during Mental Health Act processes.
- Assisted clients detained under the Mental Health Act, including those on Community Treatment Orders, to navigate their rights and treatment options.
- Represented the views of individuals who felt unable to speak up for themselves, ensuring their voices were central to care planning and decision-making.
- Worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, carers, and external agencies to ensure clients received fair treatment and appropriate support.
- Supported people in making complaints, challenging decisions, or accessing community resources and legal entitlements.
- Managed a varied caseload, maintaining accurate records and adhering to safeguarding, confidentiality, and advocacy standards.
phone line support worker
Addiction family support
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
2023.05 - Current
- Provided empathetic, non‑judgemental telephone support to family members affected by a loved one’s substance use, offering emotional reassurance and practical guidance.
- Used active listening and trauma‑informed approaches to help callers explore concerns, manage crisis situations, and identify immediate safety needs.
- Offered information on addiction, recovery processes, and coping strategies to help families understand and navigate complex situations.
- Signposted callers to appropriate services, including counselling, peer support groups, safeguarding teams, and community resources.
- Maintained accurate, confidential call records in line with organisational policies and safeguarding requirements.
- Recognised signs of risk or deterioration and escalated concerns appropriately to ensure caller safety and wellbeing.
- Supported callers in developing boundaries, self‑care strategies, and resilience while managing the impact of a loved one’s addiction.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to ensure continuity of support and effective referral pathways.
Ambassador & workshop support worker
Katie piper foundation
London
2008.03 - 2026.01
- Represented the Katie Piper Foundation as an Ambassador, promoting its mission to support individuals living with burns and visible differences.
- Assisted in the delivery of confidence-building workshops, providing practical and emotional support to participants.
- Helped create a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed environment that encouraged engagement and peer connection.
- Supported facilitators with session preparation, group activities, and one-to-one guidance where appropriate.
- Offered empathetic listening and signposting to additional resources, ensuring participants felt heard and supported.
- Contributed to feedback and evaluation processes to help improve workshop content and participant experience.
Volunteer Learning Disability Support Worker
Fircroft Trust
Surbiton
2019.11 - 2022.10
- Delivered person-centred support to individuals with learning disabilities, promoting autonomy, communication, and independent living skills.
- Applied positive behavioural support and trauma-informed approaches to reduce challenging behaviour and create safe, supportive environments.
- Facilitated emotional regulation, social skills development, and community integration activities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, families, and external professionals to implement holistic, individualised support plans.
- Monitored progress, maintained clear documentation, and adapted interventions in response to changing needs.
- Advocated for service users, ensuring their voices informed care planning and decision-making.
Family Services Volunteer
Wandsworth Prison
Wandsworth
2021.01 - 2022.03
- Provided trauma-informed, empathetic support to inmates and their families, building trust and emotional stability during challenging circumstances.
- Facilitated family visits, structured activities, and creative communication with children to strengthen relationships and improve family dynamics.
- Applied conflict-resolution strategies to mediate tensions between families, inmates, and staff, promoting cooperation and safety.
- Supported families in accessing community resources and delivered psychoeducation to help parents maintain healthy relationships during and after incarceration.
- Managed a varied caseload and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure coordinated, holistic support.
- Organised and led parent support groups, fostering resilience and shared learning among families affected by imprisonment.
Activities coordinator
Brendoncare
Tooting
2016.02 - 2020.08
- Produced weekly activity program, communicating social schedule to all residents.
- Worked as active team member to achieve highest standards of care.
- Worked within allocated budget to provide program of activities and maintain stock of activity equipment.
- Kept all activities documented to inform future planning.
Community Support Co-Ordinator
homeless link
London
2016.01 - 2018.11
- Delivered community-based support to individuals with mental health needs, promoting independent living, social inclusion, and overall wellbeing.
- Co-produced personalised support plans, conducted risk assessments, and adapted interventions in response to changing needs.
- Recognised and responded to signs of deteriorating health, initiating timely, preventative interventions.
- Provided practical assistance including medication supervision, attending appointments, personal care, and support with housing and tenancy sustainment.
- Worked effectively with people from complex backgrounds, including those involved in the criminal justice system or substance misuse services.
- Collaborated with community partners, healthcare providers, and probation services to ensure coordinated, holistic support.
- Maintained accurate records and upheld safeguarding procedures to ensure safety, compliance, and high-quality service delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - forensic psychology
The Open University
Milton Keynes, MIK 2018.10 - 2024.05
A-Levels - psychology, Law and I.C.T
Oldham Sixth Form College
Oldham, OLD 2003.06 - 2005.06
GCSEs -
Hollingworth Academy
Rochdale, RCH 1999.09 - 2003.06
Skills
- Knowledge of social policy
- Adult safeguarding
- Therapeutic intervention techniques
- Community resource coordination
- Non-Judgmental approach
- Psychosocial support
REFERENCES
References available upon request.
Timeline
domestic abuse befriender
Hestia
2024.11 - Current
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE
HOARDING UK
2023.06 - 2026.01
Mental health Advocate
Rethink Mental Illness
2023.06 - 2026.01
phone line support worker
Addiction family support
2023.05 - Current
Family Services Volunteer
Wandsworth Prison
2021.01 - 2022.03
Volunteer Learning Disability Support Worker
Fircroft Trust
2019.11 - 2022.10
Bachelor of Science - forensic psychology
The Open University
2018.10 - 2024.05
Activities coordinator
Brendoncare
2016.02 - 2020.08
Community Support Co-Ordinator
homeless link
2016.01 - 2018.11
Ambassador & workshop support worker
Katie piper foundation
2008.03 - 2026.01
A-Levels - psychology, Law and I.C.T
Oldham Sixth Form College
2003.06 - 2005.06
GCSEs -
Hollingworth Academy
1999.09 - 2003.06