If our conference schedule has peaked your interest here is some additional information about the people speaking on the day. We have gathered a collection of people who are experts in their field to informative sessions to provide an interesting and informative day.
Speaker Biographies
Dr Peter Mason
Dr Peter Mason is a consultant psychiatrist with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. He works full time with Adults with ADHD over a large geographical area including Liverpool, Wirral, Cheshire and Bolton and developed the Adult ADHD Service in 2007. He has published extensively on his research into the aetiology and outcomes of schizophrenia and has published on the outcomes of treating adults with ADHD and the treatment of ADHD with comorbid psychosis. Currently Dr Mason is preparing a publication based on his pioneering work of treating ADHD within a drug service.
Gareth Morewood
Gareth D Morewood started teaching in the mid 1990s and has been the Director of Curriculum Support (SENCo) at Priestnall School in Stockport since September 2002. At the start of his SENCo career Gareth volunteered for the charity IPSEA supporting families with Tribunal preparation and appeals and has recently been appointed a trustee.
Over the last twenty years Gareth has helped shape provision in a number of schools, MATs and Local Authorities across the UK, Ireland & Chile through support, research, training and consultancy and continues to regularly support parents/carers with SEND legislation and provision, as part of his wider interests in equality and opportunity for all.
Gareth is an Honorary Research Fellow in Education at the University of Manchester; Education Advisor to Studio III and Vice Chair of the ‘senco-forum’. Gareth has written and published extensively on SEND issues and his main areas of interest are autism and emotional regulation. Gareth tweets @gdmorewood and his website can be found at www.gdmorewood.com.
Sharyn Travers
Sharyn is a Youth Engagement Practitioner working within LA Early Help & Youth Offending Teams. She achieved a First Class BA Hons Degree in Childhood Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University and also holds a Foundation Degree Certificate in Working with Children & Young People. Sharyn is a fully qualified Youth Worker and a highly skilled Behavioural Practitioner, having worked for many years within the LEA Inclusion Framework in Stockport. In 2016, Sharyn conducted a small scale action research study that explored the quality of training & approaches used to manage ADHD across schools [Published by ADDISS].
Sharyn is a Mother of 4 and has practised first-hand parenting for 28 yrs; including a real life lived experience of managing children with complexities – including ADHD. In 2014, Sharyn received a formal diagnosis of ADHD … something that she now describes as having been completely ‘life changing’ for her.
Michelle Dorber
Michelle is the Deputy Chief Pharmacist at Tameside Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and is also a founding member of SPACE Stockport.
Georgia Travers
Georgia currently works as an Educational Assistant within a Specialist School Provision for children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions. She has a BA Hons Degree in Crime Studies and a BSc Hons in Psychology. She also has additional qualifications in Health & Social Care Practice. Since leaving college in 2014, Georgia has worked closely with children & young people in a variety of roles and settings; from Party Coordinator at an Early Years Play Centre, to Lead Mentor & SEND Practitioner – supporting youth development, as part of the National Citizenship Service. In the future, Georgia hopes to train as an Educational Psychologist. Meanwhile, she is set to begin a Primary Teaching Program at the University of Manchester in 2019.
In 2014, Georgia received a formal diagnosis of ADHD; inattentive type – aged 18 yrs, following a referral to Adult Mental Health Services. She considers herself an advocate for Children & Young People with ADHD, where she actively promotes a strengths based approach towards ADHD across Children’s Services.
Bryn Travers
Bryn is currently undergoing a Secondary Teacher Training Program at the Liverpool John Moores University. He also attends a LA Secondary School Provision as part of his placement, where he holds a trainee position as a Teacher of Dance & PE. In 2014, Bryn achieved a BA Hons in Dance & Physical Theatre. He also holds additional qualifications in Drama, Performing Arts & Sports Science. Since 2010, Bryn has worked directly with Children & Young People as a Dance Practitioner, where he developed bespoke programs within a variety of local settings, including Schools, Colleges, Pupil Referral Units and Youth Provisions. More recently, Bryn has worked as a Lead Mentor with the National Citizenship Service, where he has been consistently recognised for his unique ability to engage with the more challenging students. At the age of 14, Bryn was actively involved in ADHD training for schools and acted as a public speaker at various NHS events across Stockport. He has since presented at an ADDISS ADHD Conference [2014] and has taken part in an ADHD film project [MiND] via ADHD Europe [2018].
In 2001, Bryn received a formal diagnosis of ADHD; hyperactive/impulsive type – aged 9 yrs, in addition to Tourette’s syndrome, which was later followed by a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In his personal life, Bryn is a committed ADHD activist who regularly uses creative mediums such as; film making, dance movement, and spoken word poetry, to promote awareness and challenge misconceptions within the social arena.
Donna Samuel
Biography to follow
Claire Worthington
Claire is a web developer and digital marketer with a passion for challenging stereotypes and dispelling myths about ADHD.
Claire came along to her first SPACE meeting in 2005, shortly after her daughter was diagnosed and is keen to use her knowledge and experience to help the next generation of parents.
Claire works to promote the positive side of ADHD and is committed to supporting parents and fighting the stigma which continues to surround the condition.