JourneyMEN Volunteers

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 Certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England  

Zero Suicide Alliance Training - Zero Suicide Alliance  

Des originally came to JourneyMEN as a client. After surgery on his spine 3 years ago, he has been left in pain and awaiting further spinal surgery. Due to this, he found himself socially isolated and withdrawn from society, becoming quiet and reserved. 

After engaging with the team at JourneyMEN on the Walk and Talk and Sea Fishing events over a number of weeks, Des felt he was ready to volunteer for JourneyMEN. Discovering a mutual passion for sea fishing, he now works closely with Ben to advise and plan our sea fishing events. 

He feels he has now completed his journey with us, now giving something back by and helping change other men’s lives in the way JourneyMEN has changed his.  

  BSc (Hons) Criminology and Sociology - University of Liverpool

Certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England 

 Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness Training Course  (ACE's) - CPD Certified   

Before joining JourneyMEN, Trish studied an honorary degree in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Liverpool, with an interest in the rehabilitation of offenders and early intervention.  

Having previously experienced and overcome her own mental health challenges, with help from Talk Together Wirral, Trish is keen to give something back and support the work of JourneyMEN and men’s mental health in our community. 

With prior experience looking after her mother-in-law for seven years due to vascular dementia, Trish decided to put her career on hold – showing a commitment to helping others and supporting vulnerable people.    

Counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (MBACP)  

Certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England   

Tony is our Volunteer Counsellor who is a member of BACP and he also supervises other Counsellors in their work.

Tony has extensive experience of working with men in custody for almost twenty years. Using empathy and positive regard, Tony trained to qualify as a Counsellor from 2004-2007.

He is now transferring his counselling skills to our men who come to JourneyMEN.

Tony has supported men in prison as an Offender Supervisor and as a positive role model.
He believes every person deserves respect, dignity and not to be judged by mistakes they make in their life. Everyone is redeemable.
 

  BA (Hons) Journalism - Liverpool John Moores University

Certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England 

Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness Training Course (ACE's) - CPD Certified 

Covid-19 Psychological First Aider (PFA) – Public Health England 

 Harry was our former press officer who represented JourneyMEN to the regional print, broadcast and online media. He also managed our website and social media pages. 

  Returning to education to complete a masters degree, he now volunteers in his free time for our social prescribing activities

  Certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England   

Toby grew up in Ellesmere Port, where he lived for a few years before moving to the Wirral. He’s had a wide variety of jobs from retail, call centre and office work; before making the decision to take a complete shift from anything he had done previously to train as a Diagnostic Radiographer. 

When he’s not working as his everyday profession at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, he’s volunteering at JourneyMEN in his spare team. 

Having had some personal experience with mental health difficulties, Toby knows how incredibly challenging it can be juggling life's everyday challenges and looking after yourself at the same time.

He first decided to join JourneyMEN after his parents encouraged him to do so after hearing about JourneyMEN’s operations manager Liam, who told his story about overcoming his own mental health struggles on Radio Merseyside. 

After visiting the JourneyMEN website, he felt an “overwhelming feeling” to get involved. Since getting involved, he has never looked back.