Meet the team

Sarah has been working as an IPS Team Lead since June 2019. Previously, she worked for various third sector organisations. Her background is in working with vulnerable adults who have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse and addiction. For three years, Sarah supported young people at risk of homelessness into employment. Following this, Sarah jumped at the chance to work for IPS. It combined her passion for supporting people to achieve their goals with her interest in mental health. Sarah enjoys seeing someone start to discover their worth and that they have something valuable to offer an employer, regardless of the challenges they have faced in life. Sarah feels lucky to be part of a dedicated team that all work towards the same goal. She enjoys supporting staff to develop their skills and confidence.

“I am passionate about supporting maternal mental health. After becoming a parent during the pandemic, I know how important it is to have a supportive working environment.”

I’m John. I am the Service Lead for the IPS Service. I try my best to support and champion my IPS colleagues and people who use our service across the whole Trust. My first job in the NHS was as an office temp in an Adult Psychology Clinic. I experienced my own mental health difficulties but with love, support and a good admin job, I got through some tough times! I then worked in the brilliant South Tyneside Assertive Outreach Team as a Support Worker. I then moved to equally awesome Newcastle Early Intervention in Psychosis Team (EIP).

Newcastle EIP supported the development of IPS. In 2019 we were able to launch a proper, dedicated IPS Employment Support Service! Since then our service has grown from a small group of dedicated staff to a team of over 40 exceptional Employment Specialists. I absolutely love my job. I love meeting and working with amazing people, businesses and NHS colleagues.

My area of professional interest is actively changing culture to reduce stigma and discrimination. This will increase good employment practice, which will improve health and productivity, meaning everybody wins!

For the past ten years I have worked for a number of organisations in Carlisle specialising in supporting, empowering, and providing opportunities for people who are neurodiverse. This helped me gain insight into the barriers many people face in living their lives to the fullest. I strove to help people overcome these obstacles in their own way and thrive in their lives.

I joined the team at IPS in April 2023. I was initially attracted to the service as it was a good fit to my own approach to working with individuals. IPS takes a real world practical approach to engaging with people and helping them make positive changes to their lives. I genuinely gain a lot as a person by helping others to achieve in their lives. I understand that this journey is individual to each one of us in its approach and goals.

I have a personal interest in breaking down the barriers and stigmas that many people with mental health conditions face. The more we can raise awareness, the better off we all will be!

Aimie began her career as a youth worker. She would often work with young people who were classed as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). This sparked a passion in supporting people to gain purpose in their lives, through the means of employment or education. Aimie started in IPS in August 2019, and works as a Team Lead in the Newcastle/Gateshead area.

Aimie is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and dreams, regardless of their background or past experience. She feels grateful to work in such a motivated, enthusiastic and passionate team.

Hey, I’m Alex. I am thrilled to be an Employment Specialist with the Individual Placement and Support service. I joined the team in April 2023. Prior to this, I spent nearly my entire career in support-based environments. This included Supported Living, Special Educational Needs, and Residential Support for young people with mental health difficulties.

I then joined CNTW in the role of clinical support. I worked this role in NHS community mental health teams on both the psychosis and non-psychosis pathways. I supported those with complex and severe mental health problems. I was privileged to work with and support people from various areas of life throughout my tenure in these services. This experience led me to IPS. In these roles I was able to form strong connections with those I worked with. I felt a sense of fulfilment from being able to assist them reach their goals, promote their independence and support them on their journey.

I have struggled with my own mental health. But thanks to companionship, encouragement, and a career that was rewarding, I was able to navigate through some tough moments. From this, I set my heart on helping others on their road to recovery.

I chose to work in IPS because I am passionate about promoting positive mental wellbeing and the advantages that employment brings to this. I love providing support to people, so that they have the best opportunity of reaching their job goals. The role of employment specialist allows me to continue working with a range of people, each with their own unique experiences. This allows me to build on my strengths in supporting others while also learning new skills. I love what I do. I love meeting and collaborating with fantastic individuals, organisations, and colleagues.

My professional focus is to actively help transform culture to lessen prejudice and stigma around mental health. Everyone will benefit from this. It will enhance excellent employment practises, which will boost productivity and positive holistic wellbeing.

Rachel worked in education, the civil service, and local government before joining the NHS 17 years ago.

“I am neurodiverse and I think sometimes this gives me shared ground for rapport and insight, other times I forget to tie my shoelaces.
I believe in self-acceptance and learning how to soothe and self-regulate. I also believe the world needs to be a better place, and we can help to bring that about through changing minds.”

Dee has worked in Private Sector and Local Authority services throughout her career. However, most of the time she has worked in NHS Mental Health services.
During Dee’s career she has undertaken a variety of roles. Dee was one of the original Employment Specialists when IPS first started in the North East.

Dee has also contributed to The Take Ten People Project. She supported the set-up of a service user led group known as Voices Empowered.
Dee is a registered Mental Health First Aid Course Facilitator. She is also a qualified Health and Social Care Assessor and an Internal Quality Assessor.

“I am passionate about improving access to opportunities for those who are living with Mental Health, Physical Health and Neurodivergent conditions. I believe in supporting progression, through increased hope and employment prospects. I also recognise the importance of educating employers and wider society.”

Jill started her career as a Support Worker within an Early Intervention Psychosis team. After working in this job for 15 years, she decided to get a degree in Criminology & Sociology. While doing this, she also worked part time in retail. This gave her the opportunity to try a different job role. When she had finished her degree, she decided she wanted to work in Mental Health. She worked for 7 years as a Support Worker before applying for a job as an Employment Specialist. Jill believes that having a job gives her purpose and stability.

‘I joined IPS in 2020. I enjoy being able to meet new people and to support them on their employment journey. There is nothing more rewarding than someone being offered a job knowing you have supported that person.

I have a personal interest in guiding and supporting new staff in IPS. I have also completed training around Domestic Violence and found this to be useful.’

Dan has worked in Mental Health Services for over 15 years. Before joining IPS Dan worked in Neuro Rehab as part of a Social Therapies team. Dan has a master’s in Art and Education, which explored alternative methods of engaging with treatments.

Dan joined IPS in late 2021 to support the Gateshead Early Intervention Psychosis team.

‘I have a personal interest in helping people change their perspective on themselves and their situation to help them return to work.

I have over 16 years’ experience working in the Mental Health sector.

I have had the pleasure of working within IPS for the past three years, working alongside an amazing team. During the challenges of the pandemic, we continued to support people into meaningful paid employment. It was an extremely rewarding experience to see people regain their confidence and hope.

In addition, IPS strives to make positive cultural changes within the workplace to prevent sickness and work related stress. I am proud to be part of this team’s journey and to see it expand into the incredible service it is today. I am beyond excited to have been appointed Team Lead of the new IPS service being delivered into Primary Care.

I am passionate about supporting those who have experienced difficulties into employment. Employment can be a really important recovery tool. I specialise in helping people identify their employment hopes and dreams. I then support them back into employment and provide ongoing support until they regain their confidence.

My career started in India with roles in Sales, Marketing and Media. I have worked as a marketing consultant for an Agro Firm. I also taught Tourism and Hospitality in the private sector in the United Kingdom.

I was keen on exploring a career in mental health. This led to me working part time in CNTW inpatients services with Adult, Elderly and CYPS. After working extensively with CYPS, I realised that a sense of purpose in life is of the utmost importance. This sense of purpose found its way for me through IPS, where I was able to provide a purpose for individuals. Providing employment opportunities to people with mental health difficulties can be a positive incentive for their recovery and contributes to their overall wellbeing.

Employment can help build confidence and self-esteem by providing a sense of attainment and purpose. I am passionate about supporting people into employment and feel a sense of achievement watching them fulfil their dreams.

Tina has worked within the NHS for over 13 years. Initially she worked in the School Nursing service. She then moved into a role within the Therapies team in a Specialist Adult Autism Inpatient Service and then on to IPS.

Prior to this Tina worked in both primary and secondary education. She was given the opportunity to pilot the Cover Supervisor role within Northumberland. She then set up an early intervention programme to support young people at threat of exclusion from School.
Tina has a keen interest in developing services that enable individuals to gain a sense of achievement and purpose.

“It is an honour to be part of someone’s journey. It gives me a great sense of personal pride and satisfaction.”

Hi, I’m Kirsty. I first joined the NHS in 2001 as a Therapy Radiographer, before taking time out to be a full-time Mum. I returned to work after retraining as a Physics Teacher. Since the age of 17 I’ve worked in both voluntary and paid roles alongside young adults with learning disabilities. With this area of interest, in my Teaching role I gravitated to working in school SEN departments before graduating and working as an Education Mental Health Practitioner.

As a service user myself, I was supported by IPS during a time I found my work life and mental health particularly challenging. In February 2021 I successfully secured a role as an IPS Employment Specialist and have brought with me a drive and passion to give others the same level of care and support IPS provided me with, which turned my life around.

Now I work collaboratively with individuals on their recovery journey. I get to see people grow in confidence, self-worth and independence. I get to share knowledge of mental health and wellbeing with employers. I get to challenge discrimination and promote fair practice. I love my job!

Darren started his journey with the IPS team in June 2022. Before this he worked for a charity supporting people with Mental and Physical barriers move closer to work. Previously, he worked as a Brain Injury Support Worker for 13 years. In this role, he gained experience supporting individuals to meet their personal related goals.

“I enjoy connecting with like-minded people and businesses. This allows me to grow my network within the North East and build positive working relationships. My specialist role allows me to adapt to best suit the individual’s needs. I support people to become more confident enabling them to reach their full potential in whatever area they choose.”

José has over 20 years of experience working in recruitment and customer-focused Human Resources (HR) in the UK and around the world.

When Jose learned about IPS in 2020, he knew that he wanted to join the team. He enjoyed learning about the positive difference IPS can have on an individual’s recovery journey.

“I am tremendously proud and honoured to be part of this team. It is a privilege to be able to assist people on their journeys to recovery, supporting them to achieve their ambition and make their dreams come true.”

Ed leads the new IPS-Y service. This new service works specifically with young people. He works with the Newcastle and Gateshead At Risk Mental State (ARMS) Team at Benton View and The Dryden Education Centre.

Ed works with young people between the ages of 14 and 25. He supports them with both education and employment. He has supported young people to achieve a range of outcomes since the start of IPS-Y in January 2022. This has included in-education support to both young people and education providers.

Ed is a veteran of the UK armed forces. He also has experience of teaching in secondary education. This is where he found his passion for working with young people. Ed enjoys finding solutions to problems that affect the youth population of the North East. He is also passionate about working with trust partners to promote opportunity.

Nicole started her career working in education as an English teacher and in the Special Education Needs Department. This is where she gained an interest in mental health due to her own experiences and also those of her students. It was while working in schools that Nicole realised what a large impact the workplace can have on your mental health. This motivated her to join the IPS team.

Nicole has a special interest in retention work.

Diana started working in IPS in December 2022. Since joining the team she has enjoyed learning about IPS and its values. She enjoys being able to support a team that is so invested and passionate about what they do.