Mental Health Office Staff

Hello, I’m Ryan and I am Head of Health & Wellbeing.

I started with YMCA Trinity Group in July 2016 as a Project Manager for what was then a pilot project developing counselling in schools but has now grown into a holistic service providing clinical, training over 6000 people, and working with a range of strategic partners and systems to influence and co-ordinate mental health support for the communities we serve.

My role is to oversee all of our mental health and physical health services and work with partners to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our communities. YMCA Trinity Group has given me the opportunity to work with some truly inspirational people and be given the freedom to challenge systems, as well as explore innovative solutions to changing needs.

I am privileged to work for such a forward-thinking organisation that seeks to overcome barriers. My journey in the role has enabled me to pursue my passion and turn small ideas into needs-led programmes that really make a positive impact on people’s lives!

I have over 20 years of experience working with young people in a variety of roles. I have a degree in Sports Management alongside a range of other qualifications. My experiences include community, voluntary, education and public sector work; designing and managing projects; delivering services; fundraising and consulting on a range of wellbeing issues. I have also been a school governor in my spare time.

Hello, I’m Alistair Young and since December 2020 I have been the Clinical Operations Manager with YMCA Trinity Group, based in Peterborough.

YMCA’s positive history of supporting children and young people around the globe is amazing. I feel humbled and privileged to be part of an organisation that is actively seeking to bring positive change to young lives. My work at YMCA Trinity group brings together all my skills, knowledge and experiences into a service that is addressing a vital need in our society, the mental health of the next generation.

I have worked with young people for over 14 years in varying capacities. I have a deep-rooted belief that given the right environment young people can grow to be all they were designed to be. I have worked closely with young people as a counsellor, youth worker and mentor on a 1:1 and group basis. My role here enables me to have a wider influence on the support offered to Children and Young People. To be able to help children and young people to process difficult life circumstances is a thrill and passion for me.

Hello, I’m Lisa Smith, and I am the Senior Administrator for the Mental Health Programme.

I joined YMCA Trinity Group in January 2017 as an Administration Assistant. At that time, the Mental Health support we offered was a pilot project so I am proud to be able to say that I have been involved in growing the service and being part of everything we have achieved to date.

My role involves liaising with new and partner schools/organisations to ensure that they are receiving the support they need for their staff and students. I also work closely with our therapists, supporting them in their day to day work. It’s humbling to know that the work I do, albeit behind the scenes, is enabling people to access the support they need.

I have over 20 years of experience in administration and customer service roles, mainly within the Civil Service, so the move to a charitable organisation was quite a change. However, my team and the wider organisation have supported this change and encouraged growth within my role.

Since 2019 I have managed/mentored our Business & Administration Apprentices, so it’s great to be able to support growth in others and pass on some admin knowledge and top tips!

Hello, my name is Karen Ferguson and I am a Mental Health Training and Development Co-ordinator with YMCA Trinity Group, in Peterborough.

I started working with YMCA Trinity Group in September 2022. I enjoy my role, where I get to work with sessional trainers, as well as helping to create and develop new courses and webinars. I also have a flair for creation and love being able to create some of our social media content.

I have been a therapist for over 20 years and a trainer for over 15 years, and this role allows me to bring together my combined experiences. Being able to help improve the lives of both adults and children, is something that is very important to me, as I have seen the real difference it can make in my practice

I am a published author, a Women’s Confidence and Dating Coach, and run an online magazine for Women, as well as continuing work within my private practice.

Hello, I’m Sukaina, and I am the Mental Health Project Officer for the team.

I joined the team in 2018 mainly to work on a mental health app we were piloting at the time, since then my role has evolved, and I work within the training side of the team.

My roles involve fielding enquiries, advising on which training is suitable for settings and taking and making bookings. I liaise with our pool of trainers, book venues and organise the arrangement of virtual training sessions. I also devise the academic year calendar, prepare promotional emails, and manage our Eventbrite promotions.

I enjoy working for the mental health programme as I strongly believe in the message we are delivering through our services; we all have mental health, and it is just as important as physical health. I believe the work we do challenges the stigma around mental health and provides opportunities for people to openly talk about difficult and sometimes sensitive experiences they or others they know have faced.

My background is in youth and community work, I have had the opportunity to work in the youth service for 15 years, and my experience ranges from working in schools on peer mentoring programmes to supporting the most vulnerable young people in their communities.

Hi, I’m Heather Hayes-Bowlzer and I’m the Administration Assistant for the Mental Health Programme.

I joined YMCA Trinity Group at the end of August 2021, as a Business & Administration Apprentice, and I recently became the Administration Assistant following the completion of my apprenticeship.

I love working here, because my team is very friendly, and we all work well together. I’m relatively new to the role, but so far, I have gained some useful skills. I work for the YMCA because I believe in its values and the work that they do with people in difficult situations. I am proud to be a part of a team that helps vulnerable people with their mental health, something that is very much needed in society right now.

My role involves processing invoices, processing referrals that come in from various schools and accommodation settings. I also assist Lisa Smith, my manager with various tasks.

Before I started working for the YMCA, I had completed a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology at university, which I graduated in 2017. Since then, I have been able to complete my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and do various volunteering activities with the local church.

Outside of my work with the YMCA, I love to take part in physical activities. This involves going to the gym and going out running with my friends. I also participate in Karate every weekend, and I’m slowly moving up the belts.

Hi, I’m Simi Mackay and I am a Business Administration Apprentice in the Mental Health Programme team.

I joined YMCA Trinity Group in December 2022. I work for YMCA because I share the belief in the values that YMCA hold in supporting and helping vulnerable people with mental health. I feel proud to be able to be part of an organisation that makes helping and supporting vulnerable people and transforming their lives for the better happen.

My role mainly involves processing the mental health referrals and invoices and assisting the senior administrator and the admin assistant Heather, with various admin duties.

I have a BA combined honours degree in Education studies and have more recently done much voluntary work in my local primary school helping and supporting young children as well as the teachers as their general assistant. I then went on in 2015 to complete a diploma in specialist support for teaching and learning in schools and carried on voluntarily helping ever since. As well as gaining experience of working in schools, I have in the last 20 years mainly worked as an administrative assistant for various companies in different fields. However, in most recent years I dedicated my time to raising my twin daughters at home.

Outside of work I am a huge papercraft fan, and I enjoy crafting and making handmade gifts. I also enjoy keeping active and walking a lot.

I am so proud and excited to work at YMCA and feel it will be a very rewarding place to work!