Kerwyn Mitchell

Ph.D. Research Student, MA, PgDip, RMN.

I have over 20 years of professional experience working within the mental-health care sector. During this period, I have worked in a range of settings: acute, rehabilitation, low and medium secure facilities. Naturally, before progressing to management positions, I was exposed to the vast opportunities and challenges frontline staff are faced with. A synergy of these experiences, a sound theoretical base and a desire to engage in continuous evidence-based practice have made me a versatile and robust practitioner.

I am most proud of the following achievements:

1.            Supporting several colleagues to develop professionally and achieve workplace promotions

2.            Developing a reportedly therapeutic persona that promotes client wellbeing and recovery

3.            The creation of recruitment and retention strategies to increase employee numbers

4.            Reducing agency use and operational costs at previous places of work

5.            The writing of local operational policies

6.            Being an active panel member on hospital expansion and modification projects.

After resigning from my post as a clinical lead in 2013, I went on to complete a MA in Health Promotion and Management. As a way of applying knowledge to practice, I started my own training and consultancy business: The Maverick Ones Ltd. I still own and serve as the Director of this SME. Over the years, I have tendered for and won multiple low-value contracts from the Department of Works and Pensions. My business model is based on training people, who are unemployed, so they can get a job and upskilling those already in employment so they can excel within their roles. To keep my practical skills up-to-date, support studies and myself I also work as a registered mental-health practitioner within a range of settings across the UK.