Lyndsay Green - Senior Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
What makes you feel happy?
Being in the sun, being in nature, seeing new places, and listening to music. My favourite thing to do that always makes me feel happy, is walking in the sun, listening to music.
What is your favourite thing about working at Lifecycle?
It is lovely to meet all the young people referred to us, and their families. Seeing young people grow in confidence and achieve their personal goals is always lovely to see, and makes working here enjoyable and worthwhile.
Do you have any pets?
I have a lovely little Russian dwarf hamster called Degu. He is very small and sweet most of the time, but likes to bite fingers now and again.
What is the best thing about working at Lifecyle?
It may sound cliche, but it is actually meeting and working with all the amazing children and young people. Hearing their stories and there is nothing better than seeing a young person feel heard and understood. But also supporting a young person make a breakthrough no matter how small, or seeing a young person believe in themselves again. I also get to work in a team alongside compassionate caffeine-fuelled professionals who genuinely care about children and young people’s mental health and there is always lots of snacks.
What advice would you give to a parent who is worried about their child's mental health?
I would want then to know that there are already doing amazing by noticing and caring. You don't have to have all the answers, just being there, listening is more powerful than you think. Don't look to google for answers it'll just make you worry more, reach out, and to let them know that there not alone.
Where is your happy place?
That is easy - anywhere with my family or a dog.
Kelly Swan - Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
What is the best thing about working with children and young people?
I think it's loads of fun. I also like seeing therapy making a difference for them.
What is your top mental health tip?
Keep talking to people around you. Remember that you are not alone.
How do you like to relax in your free time?
I love beach walks with my family and my dog, Vinnie.
Joanne Stratford - Primary Mental Health Specialist (Early Years)
How long have you worked with children and young people?
I started off as a children's nurse 18 years ago.
Why is infant mental health important?
Positive infant mental health gives children the best start in life.
How do you like to relax outside of work?
Nice coffees, spending time with family, going to the gym.
George Coulson - High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Trainee
Why did you decide to train in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
I experienced anxiety growing up but there was no help for me. I hope to help other children and young people overcome their challenges.
What is your top tip for a young person experiencing worries?
A recent study I read stated that over 85% of things people worry about never actually happen. It's worth remembering that.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Getting to know the children and young people I work with.
Carl Sketchley - Clinical Lead
What are you most proud of as Clinical Lead for the Lifecycle Children's Team?
We started from nothing and have gone from strength to strength. We now have the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of so many people in South Tyneside.
Why did you decided to work with children and young people?
I think working with children and young people gives the opportunity to positively impact someone's whole life.
What would you say to a young person who was worried about coming to an appointment at Lifecycle?
Don't be afraid to worry, it is normal. We are here to help.
Shaun Goldsworthy - Primary Mental Health Specialist
What was your job before working in mental health?
I used to work as a teacher.
How to you pick your mood up when you feel sad?
I like to go to the gym and walk on the beach with my dog, Luna.
What is your favourite comfort food?
Sunday Dinner
Paula Wake - Clinical Team Manager
Why did you decide to work with children and young people?
Growing up there was no real support around for children and young people who needed someone to talk to, and I wanted to be part of the solution to that. I feel very strongly that every child should have a voice.
What mental health strategy works best for you?
I practice gratitude and appreciate the little things. I love to walk my dog in nature.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?
You are enough. Don't bother yourself so much with what other people think.
Freya Harrington - Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
What made you want to work with children and young people?
I want to give children and young people the best chance.
What's the best part of working at Lifecycle?
Everyone is so friendly.
What is your top mental health/self care tip for a child/young person?
Talk to a trusted adult.
Hayley Aitchison - Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
What made you want to work with children and young people?
My mam was a childminder, I always loved being around the children when I was a teenager.
What's the best part of working at Lifecycle?
Lots of support.
What is your top mental health/self care tip for a child/young person?
Get active outside.
Lynn Britton – CAMHS Practitioner
What is the best thing about working with children and young people?
It is an opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life and supports positive wellbeing.
What is your top tip for managing anxious thoughts?
Practice mindful breathing as this helps to activate the body’s relaxation response which helps to calm the mind and the body.
What would you say to a parent who was worried about their child’s mental health?
Do not panic. Children, like adults go through good days and bad. Reach out for help if your worries continue and you feel it is impacting your child’s everyday routine and you feel they are becoming more isolated.
Adam Dickinson – Counsellor
Why did you decide to become a counsellor?
I used to work in a school and wanted to make an impact on children who were struggling and had no one to talk to.
What is your favourite feel good film?
Mean Girls
What is your favourite uplifting song?
Call me Al by Paul Simo
Hannah Morpeth - Clinical Nurse Specialist
What made you want to be a mental health nurse?
I really wanted to support people to be able to help themselves lead the lives they want to. Being a mental health nurse in children's mental health gives me the opportunity to work with children, young people and their families in a collaborative way that supports them to realise the strengths they already have that will help them through the difficult time they're having.
How do you relax outside of work?
I love going on walks, my favourite places to go are beaches and woodland walks. Getting outside and active can really boost your mental wellbeing.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
It's great to be able to support people to make changes that make such a huge difference to their lives, the best thing is helping families to identify the strengths that they already have to support recovery.
Neve Thornton - Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
What did you do before you worked at Lifecycle?
I worked as a Wellbeing Support Officer and Development Officer for a local mental health charity.
What is your favourite pick-me-up song?
I Believe by Yolanda Adams.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Getting to know the young people and families we work with, and making a positive difference to their lives.
Shannon Carrie - Counsellor
What advice would you give your younger self?
Love you for you and don't care what people think.
What is your favourite 'feel good' film?
Matilda.
Why did you decide to become a counsellor?
As a child we did not have counsellors to talk to. I think it would have helped me.
