Dedicated professional with expertise in empathetic listening, coordinating referrals, and active signposting. Demonstrates proficiency in person-centred planning and multidisciplinary team collaboration while maintaining confidentiality. Skilled in conflict resolution, solution-focused approaches, and effective time management. Committed to professionalism and respect, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Adept at building relationships using strength-based and trauma-informed methods. Career goal: to work with individuals enhancing their overall health and wellbeing.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner (Self-employed)
Kooth UK
London, City of London
2025.11 - Current
Facilitate online support for children and young people experiencing mental health challenges.
Formulating safety/wellbeing plans.
Developed solution-focus approaches to empower service users in overcoming challenges and achieving objectives.
Support adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures.
Maintained comprehensive records and notes using various databases to ensure accurate information retrieval and support decision-making.
Coordinated risk assessment meetings with shift managers and external agencies, utilising structured communication protocols.
Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner (remote working)
Kooth UK
London, City of London
2025.04 - 2025.10
Managed complex cases providing online emotional wellbeing support to Children and Young People whilst maintaining high-quality care standards.
Fostered effective communication among team members enabling smoother operations within the department as this was remote working.
Attending relevant training courses and seminars to keep knowledge and skill set up to date.
Prioritised tasks effectively during high-stress situations to ensure optimal service delivery.
Developed individualised safety/wellbeing plans, improving the service users outcomes.
Produced detailed/accurate notes on a case management system.
Community Connector/Social Prescriber
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen
2020.11 - 2025.03
Enabled individuals to overcome barriers and achieve personal growth through tailored support programmes. Transformed lives by addressing mental health, poverty, addiction recovery, housing and isolation issues within the community. Fostered an inclusive environment that promotes resilience and self-sufficiency among participants.
My skills, experience and knowledge enabled me to work with an individual to promote Health & Wellbeing.
Collaborated with professionals from various teams to support service delivery. Assisted social workers from adult social care and mental health teams with case management. Worked closely with housing needs, revenues and finance, safeguarding, and shared lives teams to coordinate support services.
Externally I collaborated with foodbank, social housing/sheltered accommodation services; money advice services and mental health teams to provide comprehensive client care. Engaged with various charities and organisations to facilitate access to essential services.
Am able to manage a company database effectively; I also worked on the Household Support Scheme Fund; I am able to time manage efforts effectively. Work well with team members and work independently as required. Engage in continuous learning and development.
Delivered comprehensive support to local residents during Covid-19 through effective track and trace implementation. Achieved timely food and service provision for shielding individuals, ensuring community well-being. Enhanced local resident engagement, fostering a supportive environment during challenging times.
Delivered basic trauma-informed awareness to the workforce of Blackburn with Darwen to enhance understanding and promote emotional well-being.
Project Manager
Community & Business Partners
Blackburn, Lancashire
2018.01 - 2020.10
Delivered a successful lottery project while managing community café operations. Enhanced service delivery through effective leadership of project assistant and volunteers. Achieved project goals by fostering team collaboration and community engagement.
Championed initiatives for vulnerable groups, enhancing their opportunities for employment. Coordinated efforts with partner organisations to strengthen community networks and promote inclusion. Led agency days that showcased project benefits and fostered collaboration among stakeholders.
Coordinated Love from Lancs project, establishing an online support service that offered text and telephone assistance to individuals facing challenges during the pandemic.
Achieved optimal budget management by strategically allocating funds according to project demands. Ensured precision in record-keeping through effective use of database and Excel for enhanced accountability. Delivered robust financial oversight, enabling successful resource allocation and project execution.
I managed confidential information in respect of each individual who registered on the project.
Achieved successful delivery of project activities, enhancing participant skills and confidence. Optimised budget management processes to improve financial literacy among participants. Empowered individuals through cooking workshops that promoted cost-effective meal preparation and self-esteem development.
Attended agency team meetings to promote and network project.
Developed processes within project while adhering to company policies.
Provided support in various areas during COVID-19 pandemic, assisting with food distribution to residents.
Trustee
Foodbank
Blackburn, Lancashire
2018.03 - 2019.06
Facilitated smooth operations of food bank through strategic participation on board of trustees.
Assisted in preparation of funding bids.
Supported recruitment processes effectively.
Updated policies and procedures as required.
Collaborated in monthly meetings and provided assistance for smooth day-to-day service delivery as needed.
Coordinated fundraising events with volunteers to foster equality and strengthen community engagement.
Debt Specialist
Citizens Advice (Blackburn)
Blackburn, Lancashire
2015.01 - 2018.01
Working across Blackburn with Darwen providing Debt Specialist Advice.
Facilitated outreach clinics to provide face-to-face advice through telephone and email.
Supported citizens advice helpline via webchat, text communication, and telephone interactions.
Assisted individuals facing debt resolution with diverse and complex needs, including disabilities, mental health issues, and substance misuse.
Guided clients on budgeting and signposted to relevant agencies.
Assessed risks and took necessary actions, such as addressing financial abuse.
Composed essential documents, including letters to creditors, court financial statements, and bankruptcy petitions.
Maintained accurate records using the database and managed diary to meet deadlines.
Floating Support Community Worker
Wish Centre (Domestic Violence Agency)
Blackburn, Lancashire
2012.01 - 2015.01
Assisted survivors of domestic abuse in a refuge setting and thereafter supporting them with their new tenancy, often into social housing/private rented.
Provided floating support to individuals in the community.
Engaged in safety planning and risk identification to enhance personal safety.
Facilitated action plans to monitor progress and support personal goals.
Maintained accurate records and wrote reports to track client progress.
Communicated effectively and compassionately with clients.
Managed a caseload and prioritised individual needs accordingly.
Legal Clerk
Legal Services (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)
Blackburn, Lancashire
2008.01 - 2012.01
Managed large caseload within legal services department.
Supported social care department with child-related cases and debt recovery for council.
Communicated effectively in court through verbal and written means.
Represented social worker at child protection conferences.
Assisted in handling complex cases involving child removal from parents.
Provided legal advice regarding safeguarding and welfare checklist to children's services.
Authored debt management guide for local authority.
Collaborated with team members to maintain accurate records and comply with BWDBC policies and procedures.
Secretary/Paralegal
Forbes Solicitors
Blackburn, Lancashire
1994.01 - 2008.01
Developed skills in legal research, document preparation, and client communication while advancing from secretary to paralegal through ILEX training.
Assisted clients with instructions and document preparation. Communicated with various parties including court, police, and medical professionals. Attended court sessions to support parents in childcare cases.
Produced accurate documentation for court proceedings, clients, and other parties. Addressed safeguarding issues in accordance with company policies and procedures. Communicated effectively with diverse individuals from various backgrounds.
Education
High School - GCSE
Witton Park High School
Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen
1983.09 - 1988.06
Diploma - Secretarial with Office Technology
Blackburn College
Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen
1988.09 - 1989.05
Institute of Legal Executives – level 3 (A level) - Law
Institute of Legal Executives
Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen
2006.09 - 2012.05
Certificate - Money Advice – Institute of Money Advisers
Staffordshire University
Stafford, Staffordshire
2016.10 - 2017.04
Skills
Empathetic listening
Coordinating referrals
Active signposting
Person-centred planning
Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Confidentiality maintenance
Excellent written and verbal communication
Conflict resolution
Solution focused
Professionalism and respect
Awareness of community resources
Skilled in relationship building
Strength-based and trauma informed approaches
Effective time management and accurate record keeping
References
Michelle, Rutherford, Neighbourhood Manager, Michelle.rutherford@blackburn.gov.uk, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Gary, Malcomson, CEO, gmalcomson@cabb.org.uk, Citizens Advice Bureau