Meet The Team
Lewis
Apprentice Support Worker
Lewis is our apprentice worker. He is specialising in supporting our young carers offering support, advice, guidance and leading on a programme of fun activities. Lewis enjoys working with young people and helping them to achieve their full potential. Lewis has counselling skills and holds a diploma in Health Care Support.
Tina
Project Manager
Tina set up Bridges carers service in 2000 alongside other mothers from Stockton-On-Tees. She was aware that there was no dedicated service for carers of substance misuse. As a mother herself she was aware of the difficulty accessing support and the need for carers to get support in their own right. Tina has advocated on behalf of families, Carer's and their loved ones at local and national levels even contributing to NICE Guidelines and Governmental policy discussion groups. She was also a member of the National Treatment Agency board were she was the national voice for carer's. She is also a trained teacher and has her own lived expericence She continues to fight tirelessly for equal opportunities and support for families and carer's in addiction.
Liam
Project Worker
Liam is a valued member of the Bridges team and specializes in engagement, navigating treatment pathways and supporting individuals into treatment. He also offers harm minimization and reduction advice and training, Liam has extensive knowledge and experience and can offer advice and guidance with a range of complex issues including behavioral addictions and change, mental health support, supported housing and multi agency working. Liam has extensive educational experience and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is studying for a PHD Degree. He has his own lived experience spanning 20 years. He also operates a community hub outreach service.
Carole
Grandparent Support Worker
Carole has been a grandparent carer worker for Bridges since 2013. She has previously worked as a carer support worker for clients with mental health issues.
Carole works closely with grandparent/kinship carers and looked after children. She enjoys making a difference to the lives of kinship carers, improving relationships between carers and children and empowering carers who feel that they haven't previously been heard to advocate for their needs.
Andy
Counsellor/ Support Worker
Andy has been with Bridges since 2009. He is has a diploma in Counselling skills and theory and is an accredited CRAFT counsellor. CRAFT theory encourages behaviour change through different techniques and practices that enables carers to support their loved ones to change their behaviour and enter treatment. Andy enjoys helping carers to learn more about drugs/alcohol, help them manage their situations and have a more positive outcome moving forward.
