Elka Sykes
Ossett,West Yorkshire
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in therapeutic counselling, specialising in areas such as sexual abuse, bereavement, self-harm, and depression management. Demonstrates exceptional skills in communication, relationship-building, and conflict resolution. Proven ability to manage workloads efficiently while maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards. Adept at using mindfulness and grounding techniques to support trauma management and self-esteem improvement. Committed to providing empathetic communication and cultural competency in all interactions. Experienced in project management, training facilitation, and contract management with a strong focus on customer service excellence. Career goal includes advancing therapeutic practices to enhance client well-being and support within diverse communities. Committed to empowering individuals through tailored approaches and promoting mental health resilience.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1991
1991
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Emotional Wellbeing Advisor
Ingeus, CRS Services
Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Kirklees
08.2022 - 01.2026
- Enhanced wellbeing support for individuals on probation
- Developed bespoke one-to-one and group interventions
- Established strong rapport with individuals on probation, fostering better understanding and trust.
- Implemented trauma-informed practices to enhance service delivery
- Aided people on probation in managing anxiety and reducing overthinking
- Supported individuals on probation in overcoming trauma and adversity
- Supporting people on probation to build emotional resilience, confidence and self-awareness
- Working alongside with probation practitioners to ensure exceptional service and achieve optimal performance
- Collaborated effectively with colleagues, fostering positive work environment.
- Prepared assessment and end of service reports to ensure accurate documentation
- Documented accurate and updated caseload records and reports to streamline process.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
- Collaborated with professionals, referred clients to local support organisations
- Managed over 60 referrals caseload
- Achieved higher level of efficiency with meticulous scheduling and organisational skills
- Qualified Mental Health First Aider.
Admin support
Conexus Healthcare Ltd
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
01.2021 - 01.2026
- Delivered administrative support in doctors' surgeries and vaccination centres
- Assisted patients in scheduling appointments
- Handled confidential information and recorded data accurately
- Managed over 100 patients per day
Senior lunchtime Supervisory Assistant and Breakfast Club Assistant
Holy Trinity C.E. Primary School
Ossett, West Yorkshire
01.2014 - 08.2022
- Oversaw children's safety and well-being
- Responded quickly to accidents or incidents on playground and class.
- Monitored playground during breaks, ensured secure play environment for children.
- Administered first aid, ensured child safety.
- Promoted safe and positive environment by enforcing school policies.
- Promoted and supervised playground activities encouraging maximal student interaction.
- Managed over 120 pulps per break.
- Coordinated with teaching staff for effective supervision strategies.
- Managed conflict amongst students to promote harmony.
- Organised fun activities for enhancement of children's social skills.
Helpline volunteer
RASAC
Huddersfield, Kirklees
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Assisted survivors of rape and sexual abuse
- Collaborated with various professionals
- Comprehended client individualism and needs
- Ensured adherence to ethical code of conduct in all activities
- Communicated and collaborated with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Showed sensitivity, confidentiality and respect towards clients' needs, providing safe environment for clients accessing services.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date records of volunteer activities.
Counsellor (volunteer) and Committee Member
Cruse Bereavement Care
Wakefield, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
01.2012 - 12.2014
- Provided services to doctors’ surgeries in Wakefield and Pontefract
- Provided compassionate support for clients dealing with bereavement
- Provided tailored pre-bereavement support and counselling
- Demonstrated ethical conduct, adhering to confidentiality guidelines and maintaining boundaries.
- Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service user support.
- Assisted clients in coping with traumatic events, fostering resilience.
- Ensured ethical practices at all times adhering to counselling standards.
Counsellor (volunteer)
Mosaic II
Bradford, West Yorkshire
01.2012 - 12.2014
- Provided one-to-one support for families and victims of sexual abuse
- Managed complicated sessions with empathy, attentiveness and focus
- Liaise effectively with other professionals to provide high level of client care
- Managed confidential client records, ensuring privacy and security.
- Provide safe environment for clients
- Established trusting relationships with clients, promoting open communication.
- Excelled in understanding unique client needs through attentive listening
- Demonstrated ethical conduct, adhering to confidentiality guidelines and maintaining boundaries.
- Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service user support.
- Applied person-centred and mindfulness approaches, adapting techniques to individual preferences.
- Assisted clients in coping with traumatic events, fostering resilience.
- Participated in professional development training for skill enhancement.
Coffee Shop Owner
Toasty Kitchens
Shipley
01.2006 - 12.2008
- Managed daily operations of coffee shop, ensuring friendly and inviting atmosphere
- Managed business operations and oversaw team performance to achieve organisational objectives
- Promoted staff wellbeing while ensuring inclusivity and diversity awareness
- Oversaw health and safety compliance while implementing fire safety procedures and staff training programmes
- Ensured cleanliness and hygiene with regular inspections and maintenance.
- Trained new employees in cafe operations, resulted in improved service quality.
- Managed staff rota, ensured smooth operations during peak hours.
- Applied health and safety regulations, provided safe environment for both staff and customers.
- Created promotional strategies that helped attract a diverse clientele base.
- Managed payroll by tracking employee hours and entitlements.
Professional Musician
Sands Hotel
Abu Dhabi
01.2000 - 12.2008
- Worked as a professional musician and entertainer throughout UAE, USA and the UK, meeting and working with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds
- Maintained and improved skills through regular practice and performances.
- Organizing and leading parties, theme events, fundraising for charities, games/activities
- Developed strong relationships with other artists as well as fans.
- Handled business accounts, distribution of recordings and other administrative activities.
- Adapted performances according to venue requirements and acoustics.
- Collaborated with top UK entertainment agencies
Public Relations Officer
Intercontinental Hotel
Dubai
01.1998 - 12.2000
- Welcomed clients, ensuring a friendly and professional first impression while explaining available services
- Increased hotel visibility to attract and secure new business opportunities
- Handled crisis communication with professionalism and proactive mindset to mitigate damage and restore positive image.
- Managed crisis communication, minimising damage to company's public image.
- Collaborated with marketing department to align PR objectives with overall business goals.
Communications/Information Operator
National Bulgarian Telecomms Co.
Byala, Bulgaria
01.1996 - 12.1998
- Managed communications and information tasks effectively
- Coordinated with other operators for smooth operation processes.
- Provided outstanding customer experiences, utilising tactful and diplomatic telephone etiquette.
- Connected, held and transferred telephone calls by operating switchboards and consoles.
- Managed high-volume incoming calls for efficient customer service.
- Built and maintained customer rapport, providing prompt and accurate service.
- Handled sensitive data, maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Therapeutic Counselling
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds 09.2011 - 06.2013
High School - Psychology
P. Volov High School
Byala, BulgariaSkills
- Trauma informed practice
- Therapeutic Counselling
- Counselling for sexual abuse and bereavement
- People Management
- Written and verbal communication
- Caseload management
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Relationship-building
- Empathetic communication
- Initiative taking
- Cultural competency
- Training facilitation
- Boundary maintenance
- Conflict resolution capability
- Interpersonal communication
- Assessments
- Proactive initiative
- Ethical standards adherence
- Computer literacy
- Efficient time management
- Rapport building
Languages
English
Bulgarian
Russian
Affiliations
- Mindfulness
- Alternative medicine
- Wellbeing
- Reading
- Music
- Outdoors
- Embroidery
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Emotional Wellbeing Advisor
Ingeus, CRS Services
08.2022 - 01.2026
Helpline volunteer
RASAC
01.2022 - 08.2022
Admin support
Conexus Healthcare Ltd
01.2021 - 01.2026
Senior lunchtime Supervisory Assistant and Breakfast Club Assistant
Holy Trinity C.E. Primary School
01.2014 - 08.2022
Counsellor (volunteer) and Committee Member
Cruse Bereavement Care
01.2012 - 12.2014
Counsellor (volunteer)
Mosaic II
01.2012 - 12.2014
Diploma of Higher Education - Therapeutic Counselling
Leeds Metropolitan University
09.2011 - 06.2013
Coffee Shop Owner
Toasty Kitchens
01.2006 - 12.2008
Professional Musician
Sands Hotel
01.2000 - 12.2008
Public Relations Officer
Intercontinental Hotel
01.1998 - 12.2000
Communications/Information Operator
National Bulgarian Telecomms Co.
01.1996 - 12.1998
High School - Psychology
P. Volov High School