We are a small team of staff and trustees dedicated to supporting people's emotional wellbeing. We work with a group of qualified therapists and counsellors offering talking therapies, massage, music therapy and art therapy.
Staff

John Phillips, Chief Officer
Born Sheffield (Yorkshire!) moving to Manchester from 1980 as a student. I have always been involved in voluntary activity as were my parents. Worked as a Community Development Worker in Runcorn for 10 years helping to set up all sorts of community services and activities moving on to 16 years managing Langworthy Cornerstone Healthy Living Centre in Salford. I have Just finished a ‘Late Gap Year’ involving a fair amount of travel….and relaxing…I love music, playing football, travel (especially warm) places & I have a powerboat skippers and Scuba diving license
Born Sheffield (Yorkshire!) moving to Manchester from 1980 as a student. I have always been involved in voluntary activity as were my parents. Worked as a Community Development Worker in Runcorn for 10 years helping to set up all sorts of community services and activities moving on to 16 years managing Langworthy Cornerstone Healthy Living Centre in Salford. I have Just finished a ‘Late Gap Year’ involving a fair amount of travel….and relaxing…I love music, playing football, travel (especially warm) places & I have a powerboat skippers and Scuba diving license

Lorna Wilson, Operations Manager
I have over 10 years in welfare to work with not-for-profit organisations, and retrained to become a person-centred counsellor qualifying in 2022 before joining the Creative Living Centre as the Service Delivery Manager. I believe that holistic person-centred support is integral to wellbeing and am proud of the work that the Creative Living Centre does to support the community
I have over 10 years in welfare to work with not-for-profit organisations, and retrained to become a person-centred counsellor qualifying in 2022 before joining the Creative Living Centre as the Service Delivery Manager. I believe that holistic person-centred support is integral to wellbeing and am proud of the work that the Creative Living Centre does to support the community

Cody Hodkinson, Service Delivery Manager
I've spent my career working as a youth worker, then a science teacher, and then moving on to manage university mental health and wellbeing services. Making sure that people feel empowered to manage their wellbeing is really important to me, so I'm excited to join the CLC and support the amazing work that it does.
I've spent my career working as a youth worker, then a science teacher, and then moving on to manage university mental health and wellbeing services. Making sure that people feel empowered to manage their wellbeing is really important to me, so I'm excited to join the CLC and support the amazing work that it does.

Anne Rabbitt, Office and Reception Administrator
I've had quite a few jobs over the years! I worked at the BBC for 28 years, managed a charity and worked in events. I'm really looking forward to meeting members and getting to know them.
I love reading and cooking - If anybody has any good recommendations for books or recipes, please let me know!
I've had quite a few jobs over the years! I worked at the BBC for 28 years, managed a charity and worked in events. I'm really looking forward to meeting members and getting to know them.
I love reading and cooking - If anybody has any good recommendations for books or recipes, please let me know!

Shelley Dunec, Senior Support Coordinator
I have been involved with CLC since 2007. I am passionate about working with people helping them to have a better understanding of how to manage their own mental health leading to a more fulfilling life.

Jon Guerrier, Support Coordinator
Hello all! Some of you may recognise me as I was a volunteer and helped out on reception did some co-tutoring as well as peer mentoring. I enjoy to work with people in my own community and helping out in any way I can.

Susan Morton, Support Coordinator
I have been working with the Creative Living Centre since 2017 as a complementary therapist, offering holistic therapy and mindfulness based meditation. I have been a Complementary Therapist since 2000 working at Bury Hospice and various cancer support charities, as well as offering therapies at local mental health and wellbeing charities.
My role at the centre has changed, and I am now taking on the Support Coordinator role. I look forward to meeting old and new members in this new role.
I have been working with the Creative Living Centre since 2017 as a complementary therapist, offering holistic therapy and mindfulness based meditation. I have been a Complementary Therapist since 2000 working at Bury Hospice and various cancer support charities, as well as offering therapies at local mental health and wellbeing charities.
My role at the centre has changed, and I am now taking on the Support Coordinator role. I look forward to meeting old and new members in this new role.

Tom Wild, Take Part Coordinator
In my role I will be supporting and training volunteers, peer mentors and co-tutors at CLC. I’m excited about getting involved at the centre, particularly with walking/bike groups and helping support our incredible volunteer team and members accessing the services we provide. I am also a qualified music therapist and fully support a holistic, person-centred approach to mental health services. My work background is varied and colourful, but music has always been my passion!
In my role I will be supporting and training volunteers, peer mentors and co-tutors at CLC. I’m excited about getting involved at the centre, particularly with walking/bike groups and helping support our incredible volunteer team and members accessing the services we provide. I am also a qualified music therapist and fully support a holistic, person-centred approach to mental health services. My work background is varied and colourful, but music has always been my passion!

Eric Lloyd, Caretaker
I'm Eric and I have been with the CLC for many years supporting the running of the centre. In my spare time, I do a lot with local football groups and supporting with fundraising to make sure people can access group sport. Lots have things have changed over the years but I enjoy my job and seeing how the centre helps lots of the members who attend the CLC.
I'm Eric and I have been with the CLC for many years supporting the running of the centre. In my spare time, I do a lot with local football groups and supporting with fundraising to make sure people can access group sport. Lots have things have changed over the years but I enjoy my job and seeing how the centre helps lots of the members who attend the CLC.

Rum Wanono-Samuel, Café Leader
Hi I’m Rum (they/them) and I’m the new Café Leader! The rest of the week I am an LGBTQ+ youth worker. In my spare time I love to sing, act, crochet and go foraging. I’m looking forward to getting creative in the Sunshine Café ☀️
Hi I’m Rum (they/them) and I’m the new Café Leader! The rest of the week I am an LGBTQ+ youth worker. In my spare time I love to sing, act, crochet and go foraging. I’m looking forward to getting creative in the Sunshine Café ☀️

Emma Entwistle, Living Well - Link Worker
Throughout my career I have worked with young persons and adults supporting wellbeing and empowering to make positive choices. I have a degree in Psychology and have worked with NSPCC, CAHMS and within employment supporting a wide range of support to adults. I have experience of supporting persons within mental health, life skills and navigating housing, benefits systems that sometimes can feel overwhelming. I am looking forward to my role as a link worker and being part of the Living Well VCSE - CLC team.
Throughout my career I have worked with young persons and adults supporting wellbeing and empowering to make positive choices. I have a degree in Psychology and have worked with NSPCC, CAHMS and within employment supporting a wide range of support to adults. I have experience of supporting persons within mental health, life skills and navigating housing, benefits systems that sometimes can feel overwhelming. I am looking forward to my role as a link worker and being part of the Living Well VCSE - CLC team.

Anne Marie McCartan, Living Well - Link Worker
I am delighted to join the CLC team as a Link Worker for South Bury for the new Living Well Team.
With over 30 years social work experience of working with children and adults in Salford, Northern Ireland and Australia, I have always inspired everyone to live their best life possible. I love to go to concerts, musicals, cinema and the theatre – any recommendations are always welcome 😊
I am delighted to join the CLC team as a Link Worker for South Bury for the new Living Well Team.
With over 30 years social work experience of working with children and adults in Salford, Northern Ireland and Australia, I have always inspired everyone to live their best life possible. I love to go to concerts, musicals, cinema and the theatre – any recommendations are always welcome 😊
Therapists

Anne Marie Stephens
Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist
I trained at the Northern Art Therapy Programme in Sheffield and qualified with a MA in Art Psychotherapy Practice in 2014 allowing me to become a HCPC Registered Art Therapist/ Art Psychotherapist. I have worked with people with a wide range of mental health issues, with a background working in Stroke and Neurological rehabilitation, Dementia Care, Community based group work, charity sector and private practice.
I have been working at the Creative Living Centre since 2016, providing group and individual Art therapy sessions, helping people to better understand their inner worlds, feelings and emotions, build their confidence and improve their well-being through creative exploration in a safe space.
I love being part of the team at the CLC because of its holistic and person centred approach to supporting each person's individual needs in all aspects of their well-being.
When I'm not working as an art therapist I enjoy painting and have recently started making stained glass art pieces in my garden studio!
Art Therapist / Art Psychotherapist
I trained at the Northern Art Therapy Programme in Sheffield and qualified with a MA in Art Psychotherapy Practice in 2014 allowing me to become a HCPC Registered Art Therapist/ Art Psychotherapist. I have worked with people with a wide range of mental health issues, with a background working in Stroke and Neurological rehabilitation, Dementia Care, Community based group work, charity sector and private practice.
I have been working at the Creative Living Centre since 2016, providing group and individual Art therapy sessions, helping people to better understand their inner worlds, feelings and emotions, build their confidence and improve their well-being through creative exploration in a safe space.
I love being part of the team at the CLC because of its holistic and person centred approach to supporting each person's individual needs in all aspects of their well-being.
When I'm not working as an art therapist I enjoy painting and have recently started making stained glass art pieces in my garden studio!

Ganya, Holistic Therapist
Hi, I'm Ganya the Holistic Therapist for the Creative Living Centre. I have 15 years experience as a massage therapist and am happy to join the Creative Living Centre as I wanted to do something rewarding, helps people and also gives me a sense of wellbeing knowing that I am making a difference.
Q: What would I like people to know about me? I am an easy going person and I understand that you may feel nervous but I hope to create a safe, welcoming and calming space to support you with this aspect of your wellbeing journey.

Jenni Benham, Counsellor
Hi, I am Jenni and I am qualified person-centred counsellor, CBT trained and offer integrative counselling support. Trained at Bury College in person-centred modality and additional training completed for CBT therapy.
I focus on providing a safe, empathic space for you to talk about your experiences and difficulties and work with you to make sense of these. Whether you are facing a period of difficulty, feeling overwhelmed, confused or want to explore past events. Taking those first steps to understand and talk can feel difficult but I can take those steps with you and provide a non-judgemental and caring space.
Hi, I am Jenni and I am qualified person-centred counsellor, CBT trained and offer integrative counselling support. Trained at Bury College in person-centred modality and additional training completed for CBT therapy.
I focus on providing a safe, empathic space for you to talk about your experiences and difficulties and work with you to make sense of these. Whether you are facing a period of difficulty, feeling overwhelmed, confused or want to explore past events. Taking those first steps to understand and talk can feel difficult but I can take those steps with you and provide a non-judgemental and caring space.

Anthea, Trainee Psychodrama Psychotherapist.
Psychodrama is a form of action-based therapy that uses techniques like movement, freeze frame, improvisation, role play and more, to explore real-life difficulties that cause us to struggle with our mood, our general mental health, even with ourselves and others in our day-to-day lives. It can help us to understand better our behaviours and those of others’ and change the way we respond to the people and events that happen in our everyday lives. It can also be good fun and you don’t need to have done any drama before.
Psychodrama is a form of action-based therapy that uses techniques like movement, freeze frame, improvisation, role play and more, to explore real-life difficulties that cause us to struggle with our mood, our general mental health, even with ourselves and others in our day-to-day lives. It can help us to understand better our behaviours and those of others’ and change the way we respond to the people and events that happen in our everyday lives. It can also be good fun and you don’t need to have done any drama before.