In addition to my counselling practises I have worked for mainstream drug and alcohol services since 2017. In 2020 I launched the UK’s first LGBTQ+ webchat service for a national drug, alcohol and mental health charity.
In addition to this, I created a weekly LGBTQ+ recovery group offering drug and alcohol support and advice for service users who identify as being part of the community.
I visited local schools alongside colleagues to deliver an accredited resilience programme which I co-wrote with the Head of Safer Schools for Dorset Police. In recognition of this work, I was named ‘Volunteer of the Year 2018′.
In order to get this awareness far and wide, I have developed a bespoke Chemsex and LGBTQ+ training package, so I can educate colleagues and fellow professionals about what specific signs to look out for, especially within the gay world. I completed my 100 hours of training with Dorset Mind as an LGBTQ+ specialist counsellor and this work has enabled me to be a featured blog writer for their website and other publications.
In late 2020 I was awarded The Exceptional Individual Award in the South West , a National Special Recognition Award (voted for by clients/service users) and Best National Team for webchat – after launching the specialist LGBTQ+ webchat service, removing location as a barrier to service access.
In Dec 2020 I was also named as being one of Attitude Magazine’s ‘101 LGBTQ+ trailblazers who are changing the world today’.
In February 2021 I was shortlisted and nominated for LGBTQ+ role model of the year at The National Diversity Awards. The very next month, I was privileged to be awarded with the High Sheriff of Dorset Award for my contribution to the local LGBTQ+ community.
Included in the Belong Impact List – 2025 https://www.webelongnetwork.co.uk/thebelonglist