Hello, I’m Jane, and this is a bit about me, my life and professional career that got me here!

 

Since an early age I was interested in people and eager to find a way to make working with people part of my life.

 

I trained at the Nottingham Trent University with a BA hons in Psychology and Sociology and got my qualifications to become a social worker, all the way back in 1989.

 

My interest grew in working with people that break the rules or found it difficult to cope with life and its challenges. So progressed to becoming a Probation Officer working alongside the NHS and those with severe Drugs and Alcohol problems.

 

In different roles from a manager of teams to working with peer supporters or crawling through caves, I have been in this world since 1990. My nature is not really one for telling people what to do or monitoring them. So often found myself in creative projects that were practical and hands on.

 

My working life and personal life changed hugely when I started to work alongside people with experience and history of alcohol issues. Both clients and staff.

Inspirational people I have met with real lived experience has taught me so much.

 

In the last 10 years especially, I have looked at my work very differently. Listening, guiding, learning to coach and mentor. And finally getting qualifications to support this.

 

This has been possible as people taught me how they truly broke a cycle of addiction. How real and practical solutions and practices can change lives.

 

I started to examine my own behaviours, ones that weren’t helpful and recognise them in others around me. Realised that so many of us have things we are curious to change or look at closer.

 

So, after 30 years of experience in the world of addiction, ongoing training and experience and a Coaching and Mentoring qualification I now work independently with those who want to make changes but need a little help on an individual and bespoke basis.

 

I also come with a pile of life experience, loss, bereavement, trauma, divorce and teenagers! A parent to 2 children and a cat.

Very few things shock me 😊

 

And many things about people and their own stories inspire me.