About Jo

Why I Do This Work

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 I’ve been working in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector for 20 years and I am passionate about supporting survivors of all forms of abuse.

I’ve spent over two decades working alongside the people who hold the hardest stories — survivors, practitioners, families navigating systems that don’t always serve them well. I believe that to create sustainable and trauma-informed solutions to end VAWG, we need to empower survivors and also practitioners.

I have been an advisor to the UK government on VAWG issues, and have worked internationally. I was the UK chair for child care and protection for the G100 and have appeared on several TV and radio shows.

My work is driven by a simple belief: that with the right support, evidence, and space to reflect, people and organisations can do extraordinary things.

Qualifications and Experience

Current Professional Doctorate Student researching burnout in the VAWG sector

BPS Approved Certificate in Clinical Supervision

MA – Women and Child Abuse

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Research Methods

Diploma – Online Counselling

Breathwork Teacher (pending)

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)

ASIST Suicide Prevention Certificate

Person Centred Counselling Certificate

Qualified Youth Worker

Awards:

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Elysian Awards Finalist for work with women and children

Previous G100 UK Chair for Child Care and Protection

Publications:

My publications are listed here. 

My main areas of specialism are:

  • Women, children and young people affected by abuse and trauma
  • Vicarious and secondary trauma
  • Burnout, moral injury and finding hope
  • Developing trauma informed workplaces and leadership teams
  • Child to parent violence and abuse (CAPVA)
  • Clinical Supervision
  • Online counselling and support
  • Research and evaluation
  • Training on a variety of issues
  • Service user participation and experts by experience
  • Service audits
  • Supporting organisations to design, develop and deliver trauma informed work
  • Design and delivery of group work programmes for women and children (see the Juniper hub for more details)

Recent and Current Clients:

  • AAFDA
  • Early Years Alliance
  • Mind
  • Samaritans
  • Reset
  • The Drive Partnership
  • MOPAC
  • CEASE
  • SAFER
  • Cranstoun
  • Gatwick Detainee Welfare Group
  • Flag DV