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
Lorna, Interim Chief Officer
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, moving to Operations Manager and am currently the Interim Chief Officer. 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, moving to Operations Manager and am currently the Interim Chief Officer. 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.
Tom, Service Delivery Lead
I am delighted to be taking on the role of Service Delivery Lead at CLC. After 2 years In my role supporting and training volunteers, I’m excited about taking on a new challenge and more strategic role within the charity. I am also a HCPC registered 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!
I am delighted to be taking on the role of Service Delivery Lead at CLC. After 2 years In my role supporting and training volunteers, I’m excited about taking on a new challenge and more strategic role within the charity. I am also a HCPC registered 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!
Anne, Volunteer Coordinator
I have been working at the Creative Living Centre since May 2023 as the Office & Reception Administrator and am excited to be taking on a new position within the organisation as the Volunteer Coordinator.
Before I started at CLC, I’ve had various roles, which included working as Operations Manager at the BBC, Manager of Smart Works Greater Manchester Charity and at Manchester City Council organising events for the Lord Mayor of Manchester. I’m excited to draw on all my experience and bring it to my new role.
’m looking forward to working more closely with our fantastic team of volunteers and of course, our wonderful members. It will be great to continue to work with many of the members who I have met every day when they are coming into the centre. I love reading and cooking - If anybody has any good recommendations for books or recipes, please let me know!
I have been working at the Creative Living Centre since May 2023 as the Office & Reception Administrator and am excited to be taking on a new position within the organisation as the Volunteer Coordinator.
Before I started at CLC, I’ve had various roles, which included working as Operations Manager at the BBC, Manager of Smart Works Greater Manchester Charity and at Manchester City Council organising events for the Lord Mayor of Manchester. I’m excited to draw on all my experience and bring it to my new role.
’m looking forward to working more closely with our fantastic team of volunteers and of course, our wonderful members. It will be great to continue to work with many of the members who I have met every day when they are coming into the centre. I love reading and cooking - If anybody has any good recommendations for books or recipes, please let me know!
Shelley, Senior Mental Health and Wellbeing 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, Mental Health and Wellbeing 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, Mental Health and Wellbeing 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.
Eric , 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, 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 ☀️
Matt, Office and Reception Administrator
I have a very varied background, taking in music, education and retail…and even ran my own business selling synthesizers around the world! I recently undertook some courses within the field of counselling and decided to put my skills to use in the area of mental health. Having always found the Creative Living Centre to be friendly and welcoming place, they were my first port of call, and I hope to help them deliver their extremely valuable service to the community.
I have a very varied background, taking in music, education and retail…and even ran my own business selling synthesizers around the world! I recently undertook some courses within the field of counselling and decided to put my skills to use in the area of mental health. Having always found the Creative Living Centre to be friendly and welcoming place, they were my first port of call, and I hope to help them deliver their extremely valuable service to the community.
Emma, 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.
Charles (Charlie), Living Well - Link Worker
A trainee Person Centred Psychotherapist that works with contemporary creative approaches. I am expression driven and believe first and foremost in peoples' ability to find their own means of self-expression for their therapeutic benefit. At The Creative Living Centre I will be in the position as a Link Worker as part of the Living Well VCSE collaborative with the intention to support those referred to me for their specific needs. It was the CLC in which I completed my clinical hours for my Masters in Psychotherapy and I have always enjoyed it's welcoming and vibrant community feeling. I am exhilarated to be back and motivated to hopefully help the centres good name grow!
A trainee Person Centred Psychotherapist that works with contemporary creative approaches. I am expression driven and believe first and foremost in peoples' ability to find their own means of self-expression for their therapeutic benefit. At The Creative Living Centre I will be in the position as a Link Worker as part of the Living Well VCSE collaborative with the intention to support those referred to me for their specific needs. It was the CLC in which I completed my clinical hours for my Masters in Psychotherapy and I have always enjoyed it's welcoming and vibrant community feeling. I am exhilarated to be back and motivated to hopefully help the centres good name grow!
Therapists
Anne Marie
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, 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.
Trustees
Rachel, Chair
I live with my husband and children in Prestwich. I have spent my career working in IT and I hope to bring this experience in my role as trustee at the Creative Living Centre. The Creative Living Centre plays a vital role in our local community and I’m delighted to make a contribution to its continuing success. 
Joanne, Trustee
I remember CLC when it first started and have watched its growth from afar. I was delighted when the opportunity came to join the centre as a Trustee earlier this year. Mental health support is very, important to me, and I feel privileged to be part of something that is a real lifeline to many in the community. I was born and raised in Prestwich and the community means a great deal to me. I run my own business as a HR Consultant in addition to being a qualified Person-Centered Counsellor. I enjoy being able to use my experience to support the Centre, and I am proud to be part of the brilliant trustee team. I am also massively in awe of the fantastic work that the staff and volunteers carry out at the Centre – we couldn’t do it without them! 
Nichola, Trustee
I am a qualified procurement professional with a background of working in the public sector and shared services within Greater Manchester. I am passionate about helping to secure value for money, collaboration and joint working. I live near Prestwich and an active member of Prestwich AC running club and both run and volunteer at Heaton Park Run. I strongly advocate the importance of mental health and wellbeing and therefore delighted to be a trustee and support the invaluable services that the Creative Living Centre delivers. |
Gareth, Deputy Chair
Gareth is the Operations Director of a company who supplies working at height equipment, across the Construction, Manufacturing and Retail sectors and comes from a background of Supply Chain operations. In his spare time, he likes to run, swim and dance whilst also having a keen interest in the outdoors, foraging and reiki 
Andrew, Treasurer
I am a qualified accountant with a background of working in healthcare. I have particular experience of working in Greater Manchester, including working for organisations involved in providing mental health services. My focus has been on providing strategic guidance to healthcare organisations, in particular relating to proposals for capital investments. 
Julie, Trustee
I have worked with a wide range of people in my career in social housing supporting them with their mental health, running counselling services and low-cost community food stores, fundraising support for charities and community groups and leading a homeless charity. Strong, positive mental health and wellbeing is vital and to support mine I am keen swimmer and love a good spin class. 
Emma, Trustee
I am experienced in evidence-based medicine and have always been passionate about ensuring people have access to the best quality care. I work nationally and internationally to further improve the application of evidence-based guidelines and health care information. Outside of my day job, I am a personal trainer and fitness instructor and enjoy seeing the impact of exercise on improving people’s mental health and wellbeing. Having access to mental health support is very important to me and I am excited to support the Creative Living Centre and be part of the trustee team |
