Who we are
NWCH was founded on 1st April 2017 by Naomi Watkins and Alex Parkin. As co-founders, they felt there were gaps in the local community for supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing. They decided to create the Counselling Hub to fill those gaps. Their vision was to provide a central hub to support children, young people, adults, families and couples within Lincolnshire. NWCH Hub is doing exactly that.
Meet the Co-Founders
Naomi Watkins
Co-Founder
One of the UK’s leading Domestic Abuse consultants, as featured by BBC and commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council, Bristol City Council and University of Lincoln.
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Naomi has worked in the field of Emotional Wellbeing, Healthy Relationships and Domestic Abuse for 10 years. She is a CAADA trained IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) working with high risk cases, at risk of homicide. She has chaired MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) and worked closely with the CPS (Crown Prosecution Services). She has been trained in Emotional Wellbeing by the NSPCC and ChildLine and worked with them for 8 years.
She has worked with young people from the ages of 0-25years and adults in varying capacities. She has been a nursery worker, deputy manager in a nursery, project worker, support worker, housing officer, drug and alcohol worker, counsellor, domestic abuse worker, ChildLine counsellor and supervisor. She has strong expertise in working with young people and adults, she has had specialist training in Emotional Wellbeing and Healthy Relationships from the NSPCC.
She is a qualified counsellor and has worked with those affected by domestic abuse, low emotional wellbeing, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem and confidence.
Having delivered various training to volunteers, staff members, professionals, children and young people, she has become a highly experienced trainer. She has written workshops for all levels and delivered to small and large groups alike.
Alex Parkin
Co-Founder
Alex has 4 years’ experience working previously in nurseries and schools within Lincoln, having developed a passion for working with children with Special Educational Needs, Alex knew this is where she wanted to work. Alex has worked in children’s and adult’s residential settings for two years, providing daily support to them in a home from home setting.
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Alex recently returned to education and completed her BSc Hons Degree in Health and Social care at Lincoln University, during her time at Lincoln University Alex started volunteering for local organisations within the care sector. Where she met Naomi Watkins, Alex worked alongside Naomi for over a year teaching Domestic Abuse workshops to young people and teachers. As well as providing nurture groups for young children within schools.
Alex found her passion working with children and young people, whilst supporting them with various topics. Alex began by providing one to one support work with young people, since then Alex has developed a passion to run support groups for young people in Domestic Abuse relationships and for Young Parents.
Since graduating in May 2017, Alex became the Co-founder of NWCH CIC alongside Naomi, a new and unique counselling hub in Lincoln, set up to support and help people within the local community following Alex’s passion.
Alex is also a mum to young children and loves spending time with them visiting new places. Alex can be found reading books and taking long mindful walks with her dog in the local park.
Ben Wright
Non-executive Director
Ben graduated from The University of Lincoln with a degree in Marketing, he then worked for JML, the Bauer Media Group and Local World/Trinity Mirror (formally Northcliffe Media).
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After a number of years working for large media organisations he set up his own digital marketing company which specialises in Social Media (I Want Fish & Chips – ask him where the name came from!).
In his spare time he enjoys playing rugby and watching his son play. He enjoys spending time with his family and loves drinking lots of coffee! Many great ideas and conversations start over a hot cup of coffee.
Ben’s involvement with NW Counselling Hub began with a friendship, due to an unexpected event he started to use the services provided by the team. After experiencing how counselling helped him, he wanted to get involved with the team to help raise awareness for people that need help.
Sally Watkins
Office manager
Sally is a first-class administrative manager with a solid track record of achievement. A genuine ‘people person’ with sound business ‘know-how’.
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She is adept at understanding tasks, processes and people in order to deliver solutions that meets the needs of the clients and the organisation.
Sally has had a varied career spanning over 40 years and has worked in many client facing roles including retail, the car industry, relocation, and latterly in family law within solicitors practice. This has given her the poise and acumen to excel in the customer service environment and to understand the high standards demanded by clients.
In her spare time Sally loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, friends and has latterly become a dog lover and therefore now enjoys spending time with her daughter’s dog.
Charlie Blackwell
Business development manager / Counsellor
Charlie is the youngest member of our team and started his Journey as a counsellor at 19 as a result of his own therapy and life experiences.
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Charlie has worked with both vulnerable adults and children who stem from difficult backgrounds resulting from the use of drugs and alcohol.
Born in the transition period to the “millennial generation” Charlie grew up in an age without social media and smart phones but by the time he became a teenager the early stages of this had started to appear. As a result of this Charlie is on the cusp of understanding a life without it and also understanding the implications the technology boom has created in the younger community.
Charlie personally believes there are a lot of negative side effects that have come with this advancement. He believes that the younger generation have lost the ability to communicate effectively and it’s also put a tremendous amount of pressure on how we “should” look and act.
Charlie’s childhood forced him to adapt by growing up quickly from an early age which has given him the ability to communicate effectively with all ages, providing him with a level of empathy that cannot be taught within a classroom. He’s a firm believer that with the right attitude and support we can get through the toughest challenges that life throws at us, which is why he’s passionate about what he does.
Charlie is very approachable and laid back, He tries his best to not take life too seriously as he truly believes we’re at our happiest when we’re in touch with our inner child.
Diane Haines
Hub Co-Ordinator
A highly professional, people-focused person, Diane brings 33 years of experience working in Administration and Customer Service roles. She pays close attention to detail, is highly organised and enjoys meeting new people and learning new skills.
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Before joining the team on a full-time basis, Diane volunteered at The Hub two evenings a week. She has had a varied career to date starting in banking, moving to the water industry and on to a supermarket bakery and an RAF coffee shop whilst bringing her children up and travelling around the country due to her husband’s RAF career. Since moving to Lincoln in 2007, Diane has worked as the Work Experience Co-ordinator at a local secondary school and in the BG Futures: Careers, Employability & Enterprise Team at Bishop Grosseteste University as Administrator and, most recently, was seconded to the role as Projects Compliance Officer for 3 funded projects.
In her recent roles, Diane’s organisational skills were brought to the fore as she was responsible for organising Volunteering Fairs and was a key member of the team organising The Lincoln Teenage Market held 4 – 5 times a year in Lincoln City Centre.
In her spare time, Diane enjoys spending time with her family, baking, reading and looking after the family’s cats, chickens and fish! A keen motorsport fan, Diane enjoys watching virtually anything racing on 2 or 4 wheels and has been to Silverstone on a number of occasions. She is now looking to try out new experiences and, to that end, recently climbed over the top of London’s O2 Arena!
Ellie
Therapy Dog
Ellie has been registered as a pet therapy dog since December 2016, and has worked with us ever since. Ellie has a calm and soothing nature and is very empathic to people’s needs and feelings. Ellie loves walks in the long grass in her village by the lake, she loves to sunbathe in the garden and enjoys cheese as a snack. Ellie also loves getting a belly rub and receiving cuddles.
Toby
Therapy Dog
Toby was adopted from a local dog rehoming centre, where he had been found tied up and abandoned at the bottom of a field. When he first came into the centre he was very under weight, was full of fleas and mites and had no fur.
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After being adopted and cared for he transformed into a beautiful Saluki and lives with his best friends Hettie and Colston who are bassett hounds.
He is a registered PAT (Pets As Therapy) Dog and works with a range of clients in different counselling sessions. He is also part of the ‘Read2Dog’ project where he supports listening to children read in a local primary school.
Andrew Cox
Counsellor/Supervisor
Andrew Cox has a long & varied experience working in counselling & social care settings.
He has worked in community settings all his working life. He is a qualified psychiatric nurse & while working as a nurse underwent counselling training.
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He has worked in both statutory & charitable settings with vulnerable people of all ages. This has included working in mental health settings, with families for SureStart, with Young Carers and more recently with children in schools and students at University.
He is a qualified Supervisor and has worked with trainee counsellors.
He is also a qualified herbalist and has a keen interest in nature and plants which adds to his approach as a person centred counsellor. He likes to use his skills in an integrative way and believes strongly in building trusting, therapeutic relationships.
He likes walking and cycling and is involved in community arts and drama. He is also a keen supporter of local sport particularly Lincoln City Football Club!
Chris Curtis
Trainer
Chris has over 20 years’ experience working with people in crisis, with the bulk of his work being in the Criminal Justice System.
He has been a qualified counsellor for over 5 years and is now an accredited member of the BACP, with an enhanced DBS.
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He was worked in various settings including St. Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln University and Lincoln College as a counsellor, as well as working for numerous work place EAP organisations. More recently Chris has started a role as a counsellor within a Forensic Mental Health setting.
He has many years’ experience in the teaching/tutor environment working as Counselling Lecturer and tutoring various well-being and stress awareness subjects for the Ministry of Justice.
More recently Chris has developed his role further by working as a specialist well-being mentor at local Universities and developing training packages for both educational and work place settings. He has further developed professionally by acquiring qualifications in CBT, Mindfulness and Life Coaching.
Chris is passionate about his work and has the belief that all of us have the scope to develop and nourish our well-being and this can be enhanced by creating a safe, trustworthy environment for growth.
In his spare time Chris likes to keep fit, spent time outdoors and socialising with his family and friends.
Chris Morris
Counsellor/Trainer
Prior to becoming a counsellor Christopher worked, for many years, in health and social care settings. Where he gained a great deal of experience in establishing and managing bespoke services for people with severe mental ill health, Autism and learning disabilities.
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Christopher has also worked as a vocational learning assessor and has delivered a range of Mental Health and Autism awareness training to front line staff, such as Teachers, GP’s and support workers.
Christopher is a qualified counsellor and registered with the BACP, he has experience of working with children and young people as well as with adults. Having trained as an integrative and relational psychotherapist, he is able to make use of a range of models and approaches to therapy. Furthermore, he places a great deal of emphasis on the need for a positive therapeutic relationship between therapist and client.
His work as a therapist is influenced by Existential philosophy, which explores what it is like to be Human and to come to terms with life in all its confusing complexity. After all, life can be tough, and many of us need a little help to make sense of the world and our place in it.
Christopher also believes that counselling should be available to everyone and has a keen interest in making therapy more accessible to people affected by Autism and Learning disabilities.
Ian Gillman
Counsellor
Ian has been a qualified counsellor for the last five years gaining extensive experience of working with children and adolescents within the NHS, schools and colleges as well as managing contracts on behalf of a charitable trust.
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After qualifying in 2012 Ian became part of the NHS working as part of a team within the Emotional Health sector. Since then Ian continues his work with the NHS alongside his counselling in schools, specialising in working with children who may have additional needs. Ian also supports families who are struggling and helps couples to find solutions and a way forward in their relationships.
Ian is married with four daughters who have a variety of pets and always manages any challenges in a calm and considerate way having a positive approach to life.
James Barker
Counsellor/Trainer
James has been a Primary School teacher for 16 years and during this time he has taught across all age ranges from 3-11. He has had a number of different roles in school including deputy headship, senior leadership, children’s safeguarding officer and supporting children with English as an additional language. Currently he works 2 mornings a week in a local primary school as a target intervention teacher.
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James’ counselling training began by attending the RELATE Basic listening skills courses, and since then he has continued his professional development and has gone on to qualify to Advanced Diploma Level. He has also attained certificates in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Art Therapy and Working with Children and Young People. James is a registered member of the BACP.
Since qualifying James has worked as a counselling volunteer for the YMCA. He is also employed at Park Practice Counselling, Lindum Counselling College, Lincoln College and the Lincoln Centre for Grief and Loss. He has been accepted on the British Sand play Society training due to start in September.
In addition to these roles he is a qualified Yoga Teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga.
Karen Hopper-Peart
Counsellor
Karen is an experienced Counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and has been counselling for seven years.
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Since qualifying Karen worked for a Charitable Counselling Service working with adults from a wide spectrum of social and emotional backgrounds and within Secondary Schools counselling students aged 11 to 18. At the same time Karen has continued her professional development and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Person Centred Counselling from the University of Hull in 2015.
Karen finds her work with Young People to be fulfilling and immensely rewarding and finds that engaging in an empathetic non-judgemental way helps clients feel safe and confident, enabling them to relay their thoughts and feelings in order to find strategies, coping mechanisms and create personal awareness.
Karen through her own difficult life experiences has encountered counselling first hand and and has come through the other side a grounded and non-judgemental person.
Karen is a Mother of a teenager and enjoys a busy family life. However, she can always find time to walk her Rhodesian Ridgeback dog and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside.
Katy Roberts
Counsellor/Trainer
Well my background and route into Counselling is varied to say the least!
Having spent many years working in The Hospitality industry, I moved into teaching in Further Education 16 years ago.
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During this period I particularly enjoyed the tutoring and mentoring aspect of my role, this lead me into training to become a young persons counsellor.
I have worked in 6 different Further Education providers, in both rural and urban settings and have gained a deep insight into the pressures and issues faced by young people in society.
Since qualifying I have worked for a number of children and young peoples charities in a variety of Secondary and Primary schools across three counties.
My partner and I are experienced foster carers and I am also a therapist for a national charity, working with children in both foster and adoptive care and I have a keen interest in issues around attachment, trauma and abuse.
In addition to these roles I teach Counselling skills to adults, run bespoke training courses for a number of organisations and also see clients in my private practise.
In my spare time I enjoy caring for our many rescue animals, these include my beloved dogs, donkeys, alpacas and ex- battery hens, very fulfilling.
I find my work with children and young people very rewarding and feel very privileged to have the opportunity to support and counsel a client group who entrust their lives, feelings and emotions during our time together. A huge honour.
Lindsay Lewis
Counsellor
Lindsay Lewis is experienced in working with clients up to the age of 82. She has supported those caring full time for family members with serious illnesses and dementia who have found this has a negative impact upon their own well-being. Lindsay has also worked with clients of all ages following bereavement as a result of illness and of suicide.
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Lindsay has worked in primary schools for over a decade. She is TaMHS (Targeted Mental Health Support in Schools) trained and has extensive experience of working with children aged between 4-11. She has worked closely with Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Social Workers and MacMillan Cancer Care. With children, Lindsay uses a range of strategies including Drawing and Talking Therapy, play therapy and sand tray work.
Lindsay is a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). She has worked with adults, young people and children affected by depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and those who have lost a sense of self-identity. In addition to her counselling qualifications, Lindsay holds a BA (Hons) Degree in English Language and Literature. Having been a student twice, with her children all having undertaken higher education and with family and friends in the education system, Lindsay has a particular
interest in education and the challenges it presents to all those working within it, from pupils and students to those whose profession it is.
In her free time, Lindsay spends time with her grown up children, husband and friends. She enjoys reading, gardening, cooking and music. She follows cricket, rugby union and football.
Maggie Flint
Counsellor
Maggie has had 18 years of experience working with children within schools in Derbyshire, which has included working with Special Educational Needs children 1:1, many of which included working with children that were Autistic and had Attachment Disorder and developed an interest in both these areas. Maggie also previously worked within School Nursing for 9 years, promoting health and well-being within primary and secondary schools, this is where she realised there was a gap in schools for counselling, especially secondary schools.
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Maggie returned to education and has recently achieved a Level 4 Diploma in psychodynamic counselling, the course included volunteering as part of the course, she
volunteered with The Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark, counselling children who had experienced loss and St Barnaba’s Hospice in Lincoln, counselling adults for
bereavement. She is a member of BACP. Maggie continues to work within a village primary school and has just enrolled on a Working with children and adolescents Diploma course.
In her spare time, Maggie enjoys spending time with her 2 grown up children and family in Derbyshire and is to become a Grandma early next year. She also likes walking her dog Pip gardening and reading, which helps her to relax in her free time.
Sarah Quezada
Counsellor
Sarah Quezada has worked in different areas of counselling for just over 3 years and this has included working as a volunteer with Cruse Bereavement Care UK and school counselling with young people.
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Sarah qualified with a BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Sarah believes we can all benefit from counselling and she really enjoyed her client work.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, walking with her 2 dogs and making stuff.
Sindy Wade
Counsellor
Sindy is a qualified counsellor registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). She is a trained Cruse Bereavement volunteer and works with Blue Door/Rape Crisis as well as providing a drop-in counselling service at a local independent school.
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Sindy works regularly with survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, bereavement, loss and trauma, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, personal/family difficulties as well as career and educational challenges. Sindy has worked with a diversity of social and cultural clientele and engages well with young people.
Leisure time is spent reading, walking and practising yoga and attending the gym. She enjoys time with family and friends and currently lives in Grimsby.
