Meet the team
Lindsey – Principal
Hi everyone! I’m the person responsible for steering the ship, making sure that everything runs smoothly, that we have lots of partners working with us to deliver the courses and workshops that you’ve requested, and that all of our wonderful staff, volunteers and students are happy in the College. I grew up in Suffolk on the coast (so I love being by the seaside and enjoying the benefits of breathing in the sea air), lived in Liverpool for a few years and moved to Yorkshire in 2008. I love travelling to experience other cultures, LOVE a silly faced photo and absolutely hate cauliflower with a passion!
Kia – Team secretary
Well Hello 😊 I’m Kia and my role in the College is the front desk- I take the calls and share the admin roles with Steph 😎.
I love to walk, talk and eat chocolate or anything sweet – I am the one who looks at the dessert menu first! Also, keep the Haribos away from me!
I enjoy travelling and collecting fridge magnets.
Steph – Team Secretary
Hi everyone! I’m Steph – Team Secretary. I’m new to the Recovery College this year and have been getting stuck in to supporting the team.
Outside of work I love to keep fit. I run with a local running club which helps me keep on track physically and mentally. If I’m not running I’ll be walking my dog or spending time with my family; a husband, two football mad boys and one family dog.
I also love live music and arts and crafts, particularly pottery. I am hoping to take on a pottery course in the near future.
Gail – Recovery coach
Hello, I have volunteered with the Trust since 2014. I gained employment as a part time peer support worker and am now a full time recovery coach. This means that I co-produce and co-facilitate a range of courses for recovery colleges. I love meeting and collaborating with others I believe that we all learn from one another. I am passionate about education as a resource for recovery I am an eternal student 🙂 I love to write, read, create and have fun along the way. Live music feeds my soul as does winter walks on the beach with my family, especially our dog Daphney. I look forward to working with you all in the future.
Rachel – Recovery college coordinator
Hi, I’m Rachel and my role as college coordinator is to work with our partners and students and make sure we can match courses to what is important for you to learn about. My first exciting task is to work with our partners, volunteers and students to develop an under 18’s service so we can start to run courses and workshops for young people. I love spending time with my family, baking, doing arts & crafts, watching movies, gardening and growing veg, stick me in a field in the countryside on a nice warm day and I’m happy!!
Emily – Recovery college coordinator
Hello! I’m Emily – Recovery College Co-ordinator. As a coordinator I manage the planning and organisation of the courses and workshops. It’s my job to make sure we have a range of activities and learning opportunities within the college that are interesting, helpful and fun…and make them happen! I love anything crafty and will try my hand at any new arty project, you can often find me with a crochet hook in one hand and a sketchbook in the other. My garden is my haven, I grow flowers and plants mainly and love visiting other gardens to get inspiration. Things that make me happy include; the countryside, period dramas, woodland walks, campfires, my cats, folk music, a love story, visiting historical sites, spirituality, autumn colours, nature, the ocean, candles and a good book.
I look forward to being part of your journey!
Doz – Recovery college coordinator
Hello! I’m Doz and I’ve joined WRC from Leeds Recovery College where I was previously their Administrator since early 2023. I’ll be taking over the planning and organisation of any courses and workshops that Emily was involved in whilst she’s on her maternity leave and bringing my own personal lived and learned experience to the team. I have a physical disability so if you catch me in person, you’ll find me sitting or walking with a stick (it lights up, feel free to ask for a demo!). I live with my partner of 10+ years and our cat Marcelline. I’m pretty much always listening to music and I’m a big lover of cinema, particularly horror! I spend an inordinate amount of time watching films and reviewing them on my letterboxd. When I can, I love wild swimming and dream of one day living by the sea so I can live my true water baby life!
Tina – Peer support worker
Hi, I’m Tina; my role includes co-production and co-facilitation of courses, conducting ILPs and supporting people to attend.
I spend most of my time on my boat with my husband and dog. I live for my family, friends and holidays, in particular Universal Studios in Orlando and cruises. I have a daughter and two granddaughters; My grandkids spend every 2nd weekend with me on the boat and we aim to do practical activities and maintain a tech free zone!
I’ve been a financial advisor, hairdresser, teacher and a social prescriber. My hobbies include boating, fishing, and crafting. I like to visit new places and drag my husband to just ‘see what’s round the corner!’ I enjoy going to the pub quiz with my sister and dog, Buddy, although rarely win, and I’m sure if they repeated the same questions the week after, my score wouldn’t improve! I believe in living everyday to its fullest and trying new things. Live, love and laugh are my mantra.
I am passionate about supporting people to achieve great things and look forward to working with more people and developing new ideas with them.
Averil – Peer support worker
Mental health promotion, it my favourite kind of potion.
I love to get involved in activities and supporting people through their difficulties.
People say I’m positive, reliable, friendly and True,
I want the very best for you, there is something you can do.
I love the art of simple living and giving the gift that keeps on giving.
Health and wellbeing, writing, nature, romantic comedies are my thing.
But please, please don’t make me sing!
Katie – Peer support worker
Hello! I’m Katie, a Peer support worker with the Recovery College. As a peer support worker, I help with co-production and co-facilitation of courses, conducting ILPs and supporting people to feel comfortable and safe when attending courses and workshops.
I love to travel and when I’m not exploring the likes of Thailand and Costa Rica, I’m off hiking in the Peak District and have smaller adventures close to home in my free time. I am also a big crafter, anything to do with making, painting, and designing is right up my alley. I don’t have a garden so my home looks like a greenhouse as growing and nurturing plants is one of my favourite hobbies. I used to work on boats for four years before moving back to the UK to spend time with family and help to care for my young cousins. I believe that you never know what is around the corner and life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.
My life’s goal is to help and support others people on their recovery journey and in achieving the goals they have, I am looking forward to working to being a part of all your journeys 🙂
Anesu – Student social worker
Hello, I’m Anesu, a social work student from the University of Hull on placement with the Recovery college this year! I will be co-producing and co-facilitating some courses up until December, and conducting some ILPs with a mild American accent seasoned with southern African humour. I am originally from Zimbabwe, married to my soulmate from the Kingdom of Eswatini, and a recently a new father to a beloved baby boy with the curliest hair you’ve ever seen. I have a background in Psychology, Education and Human Development from my time in the US, and am looking to add Social Work into that mix. I am a creative being with a passion for spoken word poetry, philosophy, and storytelling so I will most likely speak in metaphors if you let me go on long enough. I LOVE fantasy novels, mythology, and poetry manuscripts, but generally will read anything between two covers. I am an amateur guitarist, pianist, and harmonica whistler, you can find me listening to everything from amapiano, indie folk, reggae, hip-hop, country, to classical music, RnB and 80’s bops, however jazz is my kryptonite, especially if its live!
Barbara – Social work student
Hi there, my name is Barbara, I attend Sheffield Hallam University studying social work and I will be at Wakefield Recovery College until December. I am originally from Ghana, but I was born and raised in Italy; therefore, I can speak English, Twi and Italian fluently. I went into the field of social work after earning my degree in childhood and psychology in order to pursue my love for speaking up for those whose voices are frequently unheard and fostering human connections. I enjoy cooking and watching YouTube videos to learn new dishes in my spare time. In order to understand more about different customs, languages and civilisations, I also enjoy taking international trips.
Our Team also includes our AMAZING volunteers
There about 30-40 volunteers working here, making up the majority of the team at the College. Many of us have experienced mental and/or physical health problems and we are passionate about the College and its values.