Wellbeing & Communication Skills

As a retired police hostage and crisis negotiator, I have over thirty years experience of helping people through mental health crises and enormously difficult periods in their lives. During that long police career I lived first hand with the consequences of stigma and poor education in mental health. Since retiring I have moved into communication skills coaching and teaching mental health first aid. As well as completing several police negotiator skills courses, I have a Master's Degree in Business Management and a First Bachelors degree in Communications Technology. I have the TQUK Level 3 Award in Education & Training and am registered and qualified Instructor with Nuco Training Ltd to deliver the Ofqual Levels 1, 2 and 3 Awards in First Aid for Mental Health SQA Accreditation Levels 4, 5 and 6 in Scotland Ofqual Level 2 Award in First Aid for Youth Mental Health SQA Accreditation Level 5 Award in First Aid for Youth Mental Health in Scotland. I am an advocate for Harvard Professor Dr. Donna Hicks' Dignity model and teach the dignity approach in most of my wellbeing courses.

I am also a founding trustee of the charity Blue Space Highland which aims to improve the lives of many suffering from poor mental health by introducing them to the benefits of water-based activity. I am a qualified Sea Kayak Coach and Guide.