Meet our Outside In Reps

Content Accordions

• Gayle

  Curriculum Topics: Lived experience of the crisis in social care, receiving care 24/7 (from both paid and unpaid carers), multiple sclerosis, coercive control, experience of social work assessment of need, cannabis use, living on the border of Wales and England.

  It was while living in Hong Kong that Gayle was diagnosed with MS in 1992. Shortly afterwards, she returned to the UK and took on demanding jobs including teaching English as a foreign language to overseas students in Mid Cheshire College and as a successful recruitment consultant. Gayle describes her greatest achievement and satisfaction in life as being the mother to her three wonderful children.

  Gayle now lives with her son who is her main carer and has recent and ongoing experience of social work and social care services in Wales. She has been involved as an Outside In rep since 2018. 

• Chris S

  Curriculum topics: Social work services; carer; mental health; out and in patients; renal conditions; dialysis; kidney transplant; theatre patient; non-elective surgery; GP; ambulance; dietician support for a renal diet.

  Chris has been involved with Outside In for 5 years.  
  He was born with kidney issues and had his first kidney transplant at 18 months old. He has since had three further transplants before the age of 23, and he now attends dialysis three times a week.

  Chris has written an autobiography about his experiences called Transplants and Fears – it is available to buy through Amazon and from the Wrexham University library.

  Chris has been involved with adult social services both for his own needs, and because he was a full-time carer for his grandma.

  Chris is currently a Kidney Wales volunteer ambassador and a Wrexham Maelor Kidney Patient Association member. 

• Stephanie

  Curriculum Topics: Gender identity, gender identity services: GP, talking therapies, psychiatry, surgery, outpatients, in-patients, speech therapy, hormonal therapy, barriers / discrimination, sexuality.
   
  Steph sees herself as a day-to-day ambassador for trans people as a fully transitioned woman who has jumped all the hurdles to have a birth certificate showing the appropriate sex at birth, a driving licence and passport with Ms before her name which on the face of it seems pretty reasonable but is in reality quite tricky to achieve. Steph is very happy to discuss, present, and answer one-to-one questions on any issues that are likely to be faced by gender dysphoric folks, the problems faced in everyday life, happy to illustrate how she has personally overcome them and how as an NHS peer support volunteer has helped others on the road to their own happy place.

  Steph has reached her own very comfortable place in life and describes herself as eccentric bordering on non-conforming but extremely gender aware to achieve her cheerfully quirky niche in life.

• Josh

  Curriculum Topics: theatre patient, elective surgery, non-elective surgery, acquired severe traumatic brain injury, intensive care, intensive care physio, hospital rehabilitation, community physio, occupational therapy, speech therapy, overcoming barriers to speech understanding through singing, outpatients, inpatients.

  Josh is an inspirational young man. He was the subject of a BBC interview as he benefited from a major trauma unit in England, where all the necessary doctors and consultants are based in one place. This demonstrated the importance and benefits of having a major trauma unit located in Wales. Josh was invited to the House of Commons because his remarkable progress was written as a case study and used to illustrate how investment at the early stages of rehabilitation can save money by reducing reliance on community services. His case study was central to the UKABIF (UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum) ‘Time for Change’ campaign led by the MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant to raise awareness of the benefits of the early investment with regards to neurorehabilitation. 

  Josh loves his family and enjoys training at Waterworld gym; he is currently studying for level 2 in Gym Instruction at Deeside college. He also volunteers at his local gym. He has an impressive collection of Michael Jordan sneakers, and he likes to look sharp. Faith and the power of prayer is important to Josh. He is a highly motivated, determined, and positive person and is thankful that he managed to walk out of hospital precisely 12 months to the day (6th Feb) after being admitted following a serious road traffic accident.    

• Andrea

  Curriculum Topics: being adopted; dyslexia; mental health services; chronic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; severe sepsis; theatre patient; physiotherapy; hydrotherapy; occupational therapy; outpatients; inpatients; ambulance; homelessness; domestic violence; women’s refuge; food poverty; domiciliary care; social work services; positive and poor professional communication; Public Patient Involvement.

  Andrea likes a challenge, and life has thrown many in her direction. Her education was impacted by dyslexia, nevertheless she holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management from Wrexham Glyndŵr University. She was adopted at 6 months of age and the behaviour of her adoptive mother affective her confidence and mental health. Due to services Andrea has received, she has the knowledge and experience to be able to help others.

  Andrea has two adult children and has been a single parent since her youngest turned 5. She thrived in this role and is deeply proud of both children. Andrea threw herself into roles such as school governor, fundraising and being a timekeeper at the children’s swimming galas. As they grew older, she was able to take courses via the Jobcentre and following graduation she has had roles in health research and Public Patient Involvement, including advising on accessible versions of public documents. Andrea worked for the Welsh Government in education, the Red Cross, and most recently for the NHS in the Mental Health Act office. Andrea has also had roles as a rep for Betsi Cadwallader University Health Board and for Flintshire Mental Health Forum. She is a patient rep for Gobowen Orthopedic Hospital. 

• Bethan

  Curriculum Topics: care package, supported independent living, social services, living with a physical disability, using a wheelchair (motorised and manual.

  Bethan has been involved in Outside In for about 15 years. During that time Bethan has met different people in the classroom: students from all the year groups of the social work degree. Bethan has taken part in interviewing, presentations, 1:1 conversations, film-making, groupwork, collages and much more.

  Outside of university, Bethan goes carriage-riding and has won competitions. Bethan sits behind the horse on the carriage and has to instruct the horse left or right, faster or slower. She goes to church on Sundays and likes going to Bingo. Bethan lives independently with support in Wrexham with family nearby. Bethan’s father used to work at Wrexham University as a lecturer – that’s how she got to hear about Outside In.

• Dez

  Curriculum Topics: Acute and community mental health services; neurodiversity; Bi-Polar (Personality Disorder); Trainer for the Mental Health Measure 2010 (BCUHB), Royal College of Psychiatry – Service User Accreditation: Home Treatment Accreditation Scheme (HTAS). Mental Health Development Agency (North Wales) – Service Delivery Improvements. LGBT+ Advocate.

  I am passionate talking about my personal experiences of being a receiver of both in-patient and Community Mental Health Services. I am a strong advocate for promoting neurodiversity in particular people with a clinical diagnosis of Bi-Polar and Personality Disorders. I am also a strong believer in equality rights. I have been an advocate / activist supporting and promoting the LGBT+ community for over 40 years, including Police Liaison.

  I have background in employment in the NHS (in Teaching and University hospitals in London) which has enabled me to work closely with the Nursing and Allied Professions. 

  I live with my emotional support pet, Barney. Barney is my day-to-day companion who gives me purpose, particularly when my bi-polar has declined into depression. Barney is so relevant that he is included with my care and treatment plan.

• Karen

  Curriculum Topics: mental health, psychology, psychiatry, eating disorder services, long-term health condition, carer, diabetes, dietician, bariatric care, poverty, experience of food poverty, giving and receiving care, advocacy, OT, barriers, health visitors (children and adults). 

  Outside In is an opportunity for Karen to share her experiences as a carer, mum, and someone living with complex mental illness and health conditions.  

  Karen lives with lipoedema, lymphoedema and diabetes which have impacted her life in many ways both physically and mentally. She has a long history of judgement and misconceptions because of her size and feels it is important to share these experiences. Karen also has a lot of experience working with children, young adults with autism and their families as well as being a parent/wife/carer to her husband and children.  Karen is keen to make a difference in the lives of others and she does this by being a member of Outside In, a mental health postgraduate student and founder of Familiarisation Videos.  

• Pete

  Curriculum Topics: Carer, supporting my son’s rehab after a serious road traffic accident, particularly through physiotherapy, speech therapy, emotional and mental trauma of caring, including feelings of helplessness. Positivity through acceptance. 

  Pete grew up in Weymouth in Dorset. He moved up to N Wales in 1998. Pete spent a lot of his working life in retail. He is also a practical and keen DIY-er. 

  Pete supports his son following a car accident which happened shortly after Josh’s 18th birthday when he was a front seat passenger in a car driven by an acquaintance. From the start of Josh’s rehab from the severe acquired traumatic brain injury, Pete took an interest in his physio, as this was a way to be involved in Josh’s care. Although he couldn’t attend all the hospital sessions, he’d insist on feedback and later he’d sit in on and support Josh with his exercises between sessions. These days, they go to the gym together and at the moment they’re both studying a level 2 Gym Instructor course at Deeside College.

  Pete says he will do anything to give back and to help improve other people’s lives. Initially this was focused on neurorehabilitation (health services). Pete and Josh gave a talk to BCUHB (North Wales Critical Care Network) professionals about Josh’s progress. They have also been to Westminster in relation to a bill supported by the MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant, to show that early investment into rehabilitation is recouped through savings for care in the community. 
  
  

• Sam

  Curriculum Topics: Depression as a response to sight loss and diagnosis, long-term health condition (chronic kidney disease, diabetes), blindness (diabetic retinopathy), visual impairment awareness, dietician, hospital social worker, barriers (getting around), outpatient, inpatient, sharing experiences of giving and receiving care, health visiting, parent to two children under five.

  Sam was diagnosed diabetic at 11 years old in the second week of secondary school. His first foray into training was when he returned to school to tell his class about diabetes. Sam continued to develop his teaching skills, giving a presentation to his GCSE Science group. This experience gave him the motivation to become a teacher / lecturer. Two years after Sam’s diagnosis his mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After school, he took a gap year, working in a primary school in Bristol as a PE coach. Sam attended Northampton University, starting teacher training, and since leaving, has worked in different environments, including as a 1-1 support worker with students with dyslexia and autism. He eventually became programme lead in the computing and IT department of a college in Bristol. In 2021 Sam became blind and started dialysis and is now live on the transplant list. This has had a big impact on his life and career. Sam lives in Welshpool with his wife and two young children (both conceived through IVF) and is looking to use his skills and experience in teaching to both inform others about his expertise in a wide variety of areas, and to gain further experience as a teacher. 

• Sandra

  Curriculum Topics: Diabetes, long-term health condition, carer, community activist, GP services, social services, physiotherapy, barriers, outpatients, inpatients, safeguarding adults, socio-economic impact of living in context of decline of traditional Welsh industries, impacts of unemployment, social care. 

  Sandra is the founding member of Outside In with many years of participation experience with Wrexham University. Sandra was awarded an MBE for services to her community (Broughton), particularly working with children and young people, and she has been proactive in supporting multi-generational community interaction. She continues to be a dynamic force for social change from her origins of organising school protest sit in’s to setting up and managing community service projects with extensive budgets. 

  Sandra has contributed at the highest level of local government as the chair of the Communities First programme, community house director, and a trustee for Wrexham homework clubs. She went to Brussels as a delegate for Urban2 to negotiate a 13-million-pound grant for regeneration across west Wrexham. Sandra has been equally comfortable running play schemes and a community café, and believes that communicating with people has been her greatest education. 

• Sylvia

  Curriculum Topics: carer (physical, emotional, psychological, advocacy support), Parkinson’s, social services, power of attorney (finance), SSAFA (Soldiers', Sailors' & Airmen's Families Association)

  Sylvia is one of the original Outside In reps and a highly experienced participant, having been involved for around 20 years. She trained as a radiographer at the orthopaedic hospital in Gobowen and stays in touch with her friends from that time. 

• Tim

  Curriculum Topics: mental health, long-term neurological condition (syringomyelia) theatre patient, elective surgery, non-elective surgery, GP, social services, physiotherapy, OT, barriers, dietician, speech therapy, outpatients, inpatients, ambulance, social care, care package

  Tim is a highly respected and long-standing member of Outside In with over 15 years of commitment to the education of Wrexham University students across a broad range of subjects. He has a wealth of knowledge, having lived experience of a neurological condition, and a range of physical disabilities. Tim has experience of interviewing candidates for courses and for academic vacancies. He has sat on practice assessment, revalidation, and research panels, and regularly contributes to classroom teaching and learning. He has participated in several creative and inspiring projects at the university, including an autobiographical animated film about his direct experience of a hospital discharge. Tim very much enjoys working alongside students as he feels this benefits them as well as his own well-being and sense of purpose. He is willing to discuss any opportunities to continue and extend his involvement.