OUR TEAM
OUR STAFF
Volunteers
Staff
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Roxanne Kerr- Founder/Chief Executiver Officer
Roxanne is an experienced and qualified clinical certified trauma specialist with a master’s in counselling from Abertay University and a certificate in complex trauma and dissociation from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation Over the last 8 years, she has successfully worked with trauma survivors including extensive work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and individuals with mental health conditions such as bipolar and schizophrenia. As well as being university educated, she has extensive training in the trauma field which was delivered by reputable trauma specialists in the USA and the UK. She is also trained in Crisis Management and is member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapy. Roxanne founded the charity as she felt there was more that could be done to support those struggling with their mental health as a reult of trauma and wanted to make a sustainable change .
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Favourite Mental Health Quote: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Kahlil Gibran
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Articles by Roxanne
The Atholl Approach: A Pluralistic Approach to Service Delivery Design for Trauma Survivors.
Janine Core - Project Officer
Janine is a qualified Teacher of English, teaching at a high school for 16 years and following a trauma-led approach. Following that, she spent 2 years in special needs administration before moving to Scotland in October 2022. Janine has experience in adolescent mental health through her work in education and aims to extend her knowledge further. Outside of work, Janine enjoys arts, crafts and walking.
Tinusha Abeysinghe - Project Officer
Tinusha, Originally from Sri Lanka, is a journalist and a news anchor with nearly a decade of experience in the field. She earned her BA (Hons) in Economics and Business Studies from the University of Gloucestershire and went on to complete a Master’s in International Business from the University of Dundee. Tinusha’s professional journey includes a notable role in "Gammadda," Sri Lanka's largest CSR initiative, where she actively supported rural communities. Now based in Scotland, she channels her passion into working with charities to aid ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, and refugees. Tinusha loves her work and looks forward to many more opportunities to make a positive impact in the future.
Molly Stirling - Admin Officer
Molly previous supported Trauma Healing Together as an admin volunteer before applying and being successful in the recruitment process for an admin officer. She is currently studying Counselling and Psychology at Abertay University.
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Favourite Mental Health Quote: "Mental health... is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going." - Noam Shpancer"
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Articles by Molly
OUR TRAINEE COUNSELLORS
Sam Roger - Counsellor
I have recently qualified with a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Relations and Counselling from Human Development Scotland. I am trained in Psychodynamic Counselling and am particularly interested in how our relationships impact our emotional and mental wellbeing.
Carolann Penrose - Trainee Counsellor
Carolann is currently a Trainee Counsellor on a Diploma in Relational Counselling with the Spark in Glasgow. Completion of the course in December 2024 will qualify her to work in an integrative way with individuals and couples, drawing on different frameworks and techniques depending on what best meets their unique needs. She is passionate about creating a safe space, where people are able to feel accepted and supported to explore together whatever areas they would like to work on.
Steve Christie - Trainee Counsellor
I am currently working towards a Diploma in Counselling, and I am driven by a sincere desire to foster positive change and emotional well-being. I have embraced a pluralistic, multidisciplinary approach to counselling, drawing from various theoretical frameworks and therapeutic models to provide holistic and tailored support to clients.
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Articles by Steve
Felicity Douglas - Trainee Counsellor
I trained in the sciences before changing direction to focus on writing and coaching. I’m currently studying for a Master’s at Abertay University and have a special interest in menopause and autism. I work through a pluralistic and neurodiversity-affirmative lens and am passionate about finding creative ways to support trauma survivors. I describe myself as a slow but happy runner, occasional mountain climber, and avid reader.
Jackie Lyon - Trainee Counsellor
I am in my final year of my HND Counsellor qualification but aim to continue learning and study for my Masters. I manage a small support service helping people that struggle with thoughts of suicide. I have lived experience of suicide, so am passionate about helping others develop hope and faith in what they can achieve, by focusing on the positive element of their life.
I hope to bring to my clients a friendly and comfortable space where they feel safe to talk about issues that are important to them. I believe that every individual is valuable, and that healing takes empowerment and courage. I hope that I can give clients that courage through providing the time and support they need to move forward.
Jay Hogg - Trainee Counsellor
I am a student counsellor currently working on my HND in Counselling after completing my HNC. I currently work in mental health which, along with my course and lived experience, has given me an appreciation of the effect counselling has on individuals. I currently work in a pluralistic way and firmly believe that the client is the expert in their own experiences, feelings and thoughts.
Patricia Dawson - Trainee Counsellor
I am a qualified CBT Therapist and have been practicing for 6 years. Early in my practice I realised that therapy, like clothes, is never a ‘one size fits all’ experience for the client or the therapist - which is why I wanted to expand beyond only being able to offer CBT and develop a more individualised approach to therapy. This is what prompted me to begin studying for fa MSc in counselling at Abertay University which I am currently in the process of doing.
I work in a pluralistic way am passionate about working in a collaborative and client centred way with trauma survivors.
Kat Friel - Trainee Counsellor
I am a trainee counsellor completing a Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. I work collaboratively with clients to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space for exploring difficult emotions at your own pace. My approach is mostly person-centred, helping you feel safe and empowered to find your own solutions. I integrate other methods to meet your unique needs and have experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and addiction. As a queer-friendly therapist, I strive to provide an inclusive and supportive space, welcoming diverse identities. I also aim to create an environment free from oppression and discrimination.
Zoe Robertson - Trainee Counsellor
I am in my final year of a Master’s degree in counselling, having previously worked in youth work and education and volunteered with the Samaritans and the Foodbank.
I believe counselling can make a positive difference and I work with a variety of counselling techniques depending on what is best suited for each person. Outside of work I like to be outside and active, especially swimming or walking and slow myself down with attempts at some more creative pastimes.
I am a student member of the BACP – British Association of Counselling and Psychology.
Sara Dow - Trainee Counsellor
My name is Sara Dow and I am currently a student at Abertay on the MSc course. I believe in creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences. Through a collaborative and empathetic approach I endeavour to instil a sense of security and trust in those I work with. I am passionate about integrating creativity into counselling practices.
VOLUNTEERS
Billy - Peer Group Facilitator
Billy was a participant of the programme last year. He has since taken up the role of the volunteer peer facilitator to help build his confidence and to possibly help him with applying for future jobs.
Favourite Mental Health Quote : If you really want peace on earth, create peace in your heart, in your being. That is the right place to begin with and then spread.
-Osho
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Articles by Billy
Laura - Peer Group Facilitator
I first became involved with Trauma Healing Together in 2022 when I was getting support. My support is over so I decided to volunteer to facilitate a group as I wanted to give something back and help others.
A wee bit about me - my pets are my life. I don't know where I'd be without them. I try to have time out in life by walking to clear my head.
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Articles by Laura
Fiona - Peer Group Facilitator
My name is Fiona and I’ve been involved with Trauma Healing Together for couple of years now.
I have done the pathway to hope when it was called the resilience project, and found both the group sessions and the counselling beneficial. I decided to volunteer for a group facilitator to help others going through the pathway to hope, to help support them on their journey.
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Articles by Fiona
Holly - Peer Group Facilitator
I have experienced trauma and Trauma Healing Together was the support which helped me through this. I work as a Mental Health Well-being Practitioner, transferring to Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with the NHS, and am passionate about supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.
This charity gave me the help I needed and I am looking forward to helping others have the same great experience I had - the groups are really relaxed and a lot of fun."
Louise - Peer Group Facilitator
Hi my names Louise, I first became involved with THT 2023 when I attended as a client, due to the benefit this service has had on my life I have decided to stay on so I can help others, in my spare time I enjoy fitness and being outdoors, I will try anything once as you never know what you can achieve.
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Articles by Louise
Stephen - Peer Group Facilitator
My name is Stephen and I am 34 years old. My hobbies include playing bowls outdoor and indoor. I also play in a darts league weekly. I love spending time with my nephew who is 15 months old and taking him to the park. I would like to help others who have gone through similar trauma and grief. It was beneficial to me and wellbeing.
Gill - Peer Group Facilitator
I have recently finished Pathway to Hope which I found both extremely beneficial and enjoyable. The group work has helped me to start rebuilding my confidence and given me new interests to pursue. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want it to end so volunteered as a Peer Group Facilitator to continue this and hopefully help and encourage others on the path to recovery.
As well as the arts and crafts I learnt on this course I also enjoy doing Tai Chi, which I find helps me mentally and physically. I also enjoy getting outside, visiting historical sites and looking after my new kitten.
Kelly - Peer Group Facilitator
I recently completed pathway to hope programme, I really enjoyed the concept of each session. The understanding behind each session personally helped me immensely with my confidence in my own journey. This has made me want to be there to support others through their own pathway to hope journey.
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I’m interested in a holistic approach to mental health, which I've been following the past couple of years through exercise, nature, meditation, reiki which I enjoy.
I'm a parent carer why volunteering is suitable for me and helps me also to connect with others.
Dianne - Peer Group Facilitator
My name is Dianne and I found the Pathways to Hope programme has helped me quite a lot and I’d like to pay it forward by helping to support others find the positives and possibilities in the life that I had previously forgotten existed.
Ming Chen - Social Media & Communications Volunteer
Ming graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2021 with a Masters in Design For Change. She has been studying and working in art and design for over 7 years. She loves creative ideas and has a strong interest in social media and digital marketing.
Ming also shares a great passion for working in charities. Helping people find a better life is something that brings her an immense amount of joy. She hopes that her career is always centred around helping others, and knows that she is able to do that whilst she is working with Trauma Healing Together.
Rachel - Volunteer
Rachel is currently an S3 pupil at Perth Academy. She chose Trauma Healing Together as her charity for her YPI (Youth Philanthropy Initiative) presentation when she was in S2. Along with her friends Nadia and Lewis they worked together to win £3000 for the charity. Since winning the money for the charity they were inspired to continue to work with them and believe that the subject the charity stands for is extremely important. They all volunteered at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival in August this year and enjoyed it so much that they asked if they could continue volunteering.
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Favourite mental health quote: "You don't have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you." Dan Millman
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Lewis- Volunteer
I am a student from Perth Academy and in May 2023 me and 2 other volunteers for the charity won the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and secured the charity £3,000. I believe that mental health should be a priority to the UK and Scottish government and more money should be put towards giving help to people who need it. I enjoy volunteering for this charity and working with the amazing people who make the charity possible.
Nadia - Volunteer
I am an S3 student from perth Academy I have been involved with the charity since me and my group won the youth philanthropy initiative and earned £3000 for the charity. I really like arts and crafts because that's how I relax . I enjoy helping people and working with others to achieve a wider goal. In the future I would like to persue a career in mental health so volunteering for trauma healing together has opened my future to many amazing possibilities. I believe that the topic of mental health is very important and that talking about mental health should be more normalised because it could help alot of people. The charity is run by an amazing group of people who all are very caring and they make the charity more valuable with their commitment and loving energy towards everyone.
Favourite mental health quote: "You don't have to be positive all the time it's perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious having negative feelings dosent make you a negative person. It makes you human" -Lori Deschene
Tessa - Website and Communications Volunteer
Tessa recently graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a degree in Marketing and Hospitality and Tourism. Throughout her course, she was interested in using marketing to do good and help impact people's lives. Tessa is excited to contribute to the amazing team at Trauma Healing Together and aid them in achieving the wider goal of providing trauma survivors in Scotland with the skills and resilience to live a fulfilling life
OUR TRUSTEES
Michael Marley - Chair
Michael is part of the leadership team at Scarf which is a registered charity and social enterprise which delivers energy efficiency advice and services to households and businesses.
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Within Scarf, he oversees the North East Centre which delivers the Scottish Government programme of Home Energy Scotland. He is also involved with delivering and supporting a range of projects to vulnerable communities/households. Prior to this he was 15 years with SSE/OVO with a particular focus in delivering the vulnerability strategy and including Warm Home Discount.
As well as trustee of Truama Healing Together, he is an active Samaritans listener. He also has an interest in Social Media after gaining his Diploma in Journalism (a number of years ago)
Inclusion is so important to him and feels that when help is asked for it should be readily available there and then. But should also be tailored to what the user needs/wants.
Favourite Mental Health Quote: "Make your mental health a priority, you deserve it"
Sam Roger- Secretary
Sam has been a trustee for crossroads for over 8 years and was instrumental in encouraging the board to seek social enterprise funding at a crucial point in the charity’s history, to support the introduction of the single direct payment system. She is also a advocacy worker for the elderly, at Fife Forum.
Razvan Syyed - Treasurer
Razvan is a chartered accountant based in Giffnock, from the south side of Glasgow, operating as a Finance Business Partner UK-wide. His background is in Corporate Finance, and he has built his reputation working for large corporates in Glasgow and London and investing in property.
After qualifying with ICAS in 1993, Razvan started my career in industry back in 1995 working as a Financial Controller in Glasgow before working his way up to Financial Director in London and then Chief Financial Officer for an international firm in 2014. Over the past 2 years, he has been running his own company under the trading style of Sword Finance and Investments which provides SME’s with funding solutions, business development and strategic support, tax and digital accounting solutions as well as property investment strategies for creating long term wealth.
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Favourite Mental Health Quote: "You don't need to struggle in silence. You can be un-silent. You can live well with a mental health condition, as long as you open up to someone about it" Demi Lovato
Andy Marsh
Andy has worked in trauma for the last 8 years. He served in the military for 18 years and this was where his interest in trauma started. He studied for an MSc in Military and Veteran mental health whilst working in a trauma centre. He currently works in the mental health field and feels that we as a country need to provide as many routes for person centred holistic trauma care as necessary to help people who are surviving..
Favourite Mental Health Quote: ‘"That which seeks to destroy me and fails only makes me stronger’ – Nietzsche
Diana Ngonyama
Diana is currently the Senior Philanthropy Manager at World Vision one the largest Children's INGO working within the Strategic Partnerships Directorate . She has worked with other leading organisations such as Shelter and INGO Mercy Corps Europe where she was responsible for developing and driving the organisations philanthropic and community programming in Europe. Previously over a 15-year period she has held senior retail management roles for various brands such as Marks and Spencer, Selfridges, Topshop to name a few. Making the transition into the third sector after a chance opportunity to work with the extraordinary arts organisation Artangel.
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Favourite Mental Health Quote: ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul’ – William Ernest Henley
Catharine Idle
Catharine has an MSc in Sports Studies and is a 200-hour qualified Hatha yoga teacher, obtained through Jyoti Yoga and Yoga Alliance International. She is also qualified to teach Chair yoga and has been trained in trauma focused yoga. In addition, Catharine has worked in the charity and public sector for many years, supporting and empowering communities in rural Scotland to bring about the changes they want to see locally. She has 14 years experience in managing funding programmes and working in partnership with different organisations, interest groups and a wide range of very different people.
Special interests: yoga for trauma, body/mind/spirit balance, pranayama (breathwork), pure consciousness
