Powys Mental Health Development & Information team
Staff working in the Powys Mental Health Development & Information team are employed and supported by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO). PAVO is a Mindful Employer.
Laura Gallagher - County Mental Health Development Officer
I am the manager of the Powys Mental Health Development and Information Team. I started with Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations in September 2009 and this was also when I first moved to Powys. How quickly my time seems to have passed since then.
Why Powys? I moved to Powys because I love it here, I can think of nowhere else I would want to live. I also wanted to be in an environment where I could start to produce my own food – I love food. Now I have pigs, goats, chicken, ducks, geese and a vegetable garden (well I hope this is what I have, if anything grows!).
Why Mental Health? To learn more and to try to improve things for people with experience of mental distress and those that support. I think that our team is all about this. My interest started when my brother experienced mental distress when he was in his early 20s. I was a teenager. He has been using mental health services ever since, he has an array of diagnoses to his name and he has had a lot of experience of the mental health act! Inventively this has fuelled my interest in mental health. I worked in Fund Management for 10 years and swapped careers to mental health about 7 years ago. So I hope that my own lived experience and experience of working in mental health coupled with the work skills that I have built up over the years help me to do a good job. I strive to keep learning and improving my own effectiveness.
I always want to hear from others so please do not hesitate to contact me my email address is laura.gallagher@pavo.org.uk and my telephone number is 01686 628300.
Jackie Newey - Projects Officer
I have been a Projects Officer for the team since September 2009. I support projects run by PAMH, such as redevelopment of our website, and external projects – such as helping voluntary sector organisations in the field of mental health to grow in strength and ability. My base is Ponthafren in Newtown, but my work takes me out into the wider Powys community to meet with mental health groups, both third sector and statutory.
I am keen to encourage partnership working, including working with individuals with a lived experience of mental distress. I would also like to find out more about how diet affects our mental wellbeing, as I am a keen organic gardener (outside work!)
In my spare time I am a Seed Guardian for the Heritage Seed Library. I grow old varieties of vegetables, such as peas and climbing French beans (with amazing names like Cherokee Trail of Tears), and then collect the seed which is distributed to other members of the charity (part of Garden Organic). This helps prevents these old varieties from dying out altogether. I am also a trustee of The Quilt Association based at The Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes.
You can contact me by ringing 01686 628300 or emailing jackie.newey@pavo.org.uk
Liz Meres - Information Officer
I began my work with the Agency in 2006, when the Information Service was based at the Smithfield Centre, a disused chapel in Builth Wells. I am now based in the PAVO offices in Llandrindod Wells. My role is to collect and disseminate information regarding any aspect of mental health and wellbeing. I regularly attend events and have an information stall. In the past I have written service directories, produced leaflets & booklets, however my role has changed over the years, with growing emphasis on digital communication and management of the website.
I previously worked for several years supporting and training adults with disabilities. Other past jobs included working for the King of Hay, Richard Booth, when I had an office in his castle, and managed his various second hand bookshops.
I have learned so much in my job and I am grateful to everyone who has imparted their wisdom to me. I enjoy working in the field of mental health, which I find fascinating, touching, challenging, sometimes tragic, and often inspiring. I am especially interested in women’s & children’s wellbeing, how to combat social inequality and injustice, and the negative affect this has on people. As an anthropologist, I am interested in the cultural aspect of health, and am embarking on a project which aims to share learning about people’s experience of mental health between communities in Wales and Africa, using twinning links between Hay-on-Wye and Timbuktu.
I am involved in voluntary community work, setting up a time banking project in Hay.
When I get a chance, I love to go out walking and I also make my own natural remedies and cosmetics, as I previously trained in aromatherapy.
You can contact me on 0845 313 8221, pamhinfo@pavo.org.uk or find me at PAVO, Marlow, South Crescent, Llandrindod Wells.
Glynis Luke - Admin Support Officer
I am the Admin Support Officer for PAMH, based at Ponthafren in Newtown. I joined the team at PAVO in 2006. I am passionate about helping people, predominantly young people.
You can contact me by emailing glynis.luke@pavo.org.uk or ringing 01686 628300.
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