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I have siblings with learning disabilities which inspired my interest and passion for training as a psychologist and working with people with learning disabilities. I have previously worked as a support worker with children and young adults with learning disabilities and autism in school, sixth form and residential/supported living settings. I am a long-time member of the Red Diamonds Sports and Social Club for people with disabilities in Bracknell and Wokingham. More recently I have been involved in setting up and volunteering with a local Stay Up Late group for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism in Berkshire.

I qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in September 2018 and have since worked in the Berkshire Intensive Support Team (IST) for adults with learning disabilities as well as some work for the Psychological Services for People with Learning Disabilities in Berkshire. My main role in the IST is to support the team with psychological formulation and evidence based interventions for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour may be challenging to others, and including their families and carers, to support the Transforming Care agenda of working with people living in the community and supporting with discharges from hospital. The work includes positive behaviour support and person centred approaches, a lot of care-cordination, MDT working, detailed risk assessment and crisis planning, and co-ordinating Care Programme Approach Meetings and Care and Treatment Reviews.

In my spare time I watch and play a lot of football, enjoy live music and play the piano.

Imagine leaving every night out at 9pm…

Stay Up Late is a registered charity, based in Sussex, committed to promoting the rights of people with learning disabilities to live the lifestyle of their choosing. Going out to see bands, clubbing, or seeing friends is part of everyday life for lots of people. However, if you have a learning disability you may need support to do this. Lots of people with learning disabilities are not able to lead full and active social lives because their support workers finish at 10pm meaning lots of people with learning disabilities leave events at 9pm or earlier. Some residential homes lock their doors at 10pm and residents don’t have a key. The Stay Up Late Charity believes that people with learning disabilities have the right to stay up and have some fun if they want to. Stay Up Late wants support workers to work different hours so that people with a learning disability can stay up late, or do whatever they choose. Lots of support workers don’t mind working different hours, as long as they also have enough time to plan. In 2015 Stay Up Late launched Gig Buddies, a project that pairs up people with and without learning disabilities to be friends and go to events together. In 2019 the charity launched the #NoBedtimes campaign. Local Stay Up Late groups are popping up over the UK. In 2019 The Night Owls group formed in Berkshire with support from The Ark Trust.