Working with the whole person: Alcohol, mental health and complex needs
Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2020
Meet the speakers
English | Cymraeg
Alcohol Change UK's first online interactive conference
Working with the whole person: Alcohol, mental health and complex needs
Day 1: Wednesday 2 December
Josh Connolly grew up the child of a dependent drinker and went through his own struggles with mental ill-health and alcohol misuse. He’s gone from trying to push his worries to one side, to “a new idea of resilience…that embraces vulnerability and keeps me reachable”. Twitter: @josh_ffw
Anne Campbell is a Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast and a member of the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Her research focusses on substance misuse and mental health, and she holds a Lifetime Drug and Alcohol Fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University. Twitter @AnniecampbellA
Victoria Williams is the lead veterans’ therapist at Swansea Bay University Health Board and specialises in military mental health and trauma. She is a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Bev John is Head of Research in the School of Psychology at the University of South Wales (USW) and Co-lead of the USW Addictions Research group. Her main focus is on research into psychological health, in particular promoting positive behaviour change. Twitter: @ProfBevJohn
Gareth Roderique-Davies is a researcher and clinical psychologist at the University of South Wales, with a particular interest in addiction and the long-term psychological consequences of drug use. He is also the “second best drummer” in the “legendary lecturers rock combo” Zimbando. Twitter: @GazRodDavies
Day 2: Thursday 3 December
Based in Bristol, Chelsey Flood is an awarding-winning novelist and author of the Beautiful Hangover blog, where she writes about alcohol, mental health, femininity, and more. Twitter: @cjflood_author
Marcus Barnes is an editor, author and DJ with more than 15 years’ experience in print and online. He’s written several books, including Around the World in 80 Raves, and has recently blogged for Alcohol Change UK about alcohol and masculinity and about parenting during the lockdown. Twitter: @mgoldenbarnes
Sharon Cox is a Senior Research Fellow at University College London. Her current research is focused on smoking cessation amongst homeless adults, including the possible benefits of e-cigarettes. Twitter: @Sharon_ACox
Tracy Lee is a Housing Consultant for Hafan Cymru Housing Association and for Hafal, Wales’ leading charity for people with serious mental illness and their carers. She has extensive frontline experience and a long track record of delivering transformation and improvement.
Mike Ward is a Senior Associate at Alcohol Change UK. Originally a social worker, he founded and led the Surrey Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service and is a co-author of the influential Blue Light Manual on working with chaotic and vulnerable drinkers.
Richard Piper joined Alcohol Change UK as Chief Executive in 2017, having worked previously for Mencap, NCVO and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. He is a trustee of the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association and a volunteer with St Albans Woodcraft Folk. Twitter: @RichardCPiper