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
Jonathan, Chief Officer
With nearly 30 years in the charity sector, I’ve had the privilege of leading three different charities, including one I founded myself. Joining the Creative Living Centre is an exciting new chapter, and I’m passionate about creating opportunities that truly make a difference in people’s lives. What inspires me every day is seeing the positive impact that kindness and support can have on someone’s wellbeing—it’s what drives me to keep making a difference. When I’m not working, you’ll often find me watching football, enjoying a round of golf, or experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes.
With nearly 30 years in the charity sector, I’ve had the privilege of leading three different charities, including one I founded myself. Joining the Creative Living Centre is an exciting new chapter, and I’m passionate about creating opportunities that truly make a difference in people’s lives. What inspires me every day is seeing the positive impact that kindness and support can have on someone’s wellbeing—it’s what drives me to keep making a difference. When I’m not working, you’ll often find me watching football, enjoying a round of golf, or experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes.
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!
Georgia, Service Delivery Lead
I'm really excited to be joining the CLC team as Service Delivery Lead, it feels like a great fit! I'm passionate about supporting people in a person-centred way, and I'm currently working towards a professional doctorate in Health Psychology. I’m all about promoting well-being and connecting with people in meaningful ways. I’m looking forward to meeting our service users and being part of their journey. Outside of work, you’ll likely find me at the gym, catching up with friends, or taking time out for a bit of self-care
I'm really excited to be joining the CLC team as Service Delivery Lead, it feels like a great fit! I'm passionate about supporting people in a person-centred way, and I'm currently working towards a professional doctorate in Health Psychology. I’m all about promoting well-being and connecting with people in meaningful ways. I’m looking forward to meeting our service users and being part of their journey. Outside of work, you’ll likely find me at the gym, catching up with friends, or taking time out for a bit of self-care
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.
Fahmida, Volunteer Coordinator
I have worked in the community for over 30 years. I am an accredited Counsellor with a background in education and a strong commitment to supporting mental health. As a Volunteer Coordinator, I am passionate about building supportive and inclusive spaces where people feel heard, valued, and able to thrive.
I have worked in the community for over 30 years. I am an accredited Counsellor with a background in education and a strong commitment to supporting mental health. As a Volunteer Coordinator, I am passionate about building supportive and inclusive spaces where people feel heard, valued, and able to thrive.
Olivia, Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Coordinator
I’m really pleased to be part of the Creative Living Centre team. I’m a qualified person-centred counsellor with experience working in the charity sector, and I’m passionate about supporting people to feel heard, empowered, and cared for.
I value self-care and creativity as important tools for wellbeing, and in my own time I enjoy painting, building Lego flowers, playing board games, and gaming all of which help me stay grounded and connected.
I’m really pleased to be part of the Creative Living Centre team. I’m a qualified person-centred counsellor with experience working in the charity sector, and I’m passionate about supporting people to feel heard, empowered, and cared for.
I value self-care and creativity as important tools for wellbeing, and in my own time I enjoy painting, building Lego flowers, playing board games, and gaming all of which help me stay grounded and connected.
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.
Aneesa, Living Well - Link Worker
I'm passionate about helping people feel heard, supported and empowered. I take a person-centred approach in everything that I do. Working alongside individuals to help them build confidence and overcome challenges- on their own terms. With previous experience in Talking Therapies and now, a link worker as part of the Living Well VCSE role, I hope to add to the Creative Living Centres friendly and positive ethos; I believe small steps lead to big changes. I look forward to being a part of your journey.
I'm passionate about helping people feel heard, supported and empowered. I take a person-centred approach in everything that I do. Working alongside individuals to help them build confidence and overcome challenges- on their own terms. With previous experience in Talking Therapies and now, a link worker as part of the Living Well VCSE role, I hope to add to the Creative Living Centres friendly and positive ethos; I believe small steps lead to big changes. I look forward to being a part of your journey.
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.
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. 
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. 
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! |
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 
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. 
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. |
