Facilitators
MHERC's workshops are delivered by specialists in their fields
Samantha Williams
The early part of Samantha’s career was spent in the South of England working in mental health acute inpatients, ICU and community teams after graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 1994 with BSc (Hons) Psychology and then in 1997 with MSc Professional and Policy Studies and Dip HE (RN) Mental Health. Moving to Christchurch in 2003, Samantha initially worked in acute inpatients then joined CADS setting up the AOD Central Co-ordination Service. As well as working as a private contractor in Primary Care and Canterbury Prisons, she continues to work on various AOD projects.
Sandy Hitchins
Sandy is a counsellor who has worked extensively with children, young people and their parents. She currently works in primary schools and in private practice. Sandy offers workshops, seminars and training to professionals and parents.
Sharon Bennett
Sharon has a background in health (nursing and midwifery), with over 20 years' experience in education and training on a variety of subjects, topics and issues. Her particular passion lies in supporting personal and professional development of others. She believes that effective communication is at the heart of both personal and professional success; looking at and addressing internal and external dialogue is essential for creating positive outcomes.
Susie Milne
Susie has worked in the field of grief, loss and trauma for fourteen years, providing suicide postvention support and also creating and delivering training packages around post suicide support and psychological first aid.
Susie has been co-facilitating the WAVES bereaved by suicide psycho educational programme for eight years and also delivers grief workshops. Susie is keenly interested in supporting people in their endeavours to make meaningful connections.
Tasha Smith
Tasha (she/her) is a Nurse Educator with 20 years experience working in specialist mental health acute services and nursing education across New Zealand. Currently she is the lead for both Risk and Rainbow education portfolios in Canterbury. Her professional practice is underpinned by a belief that everyone is capable and deserving of a leading a life with meaning, dignity and belonging. Tasha came out as a proud queer women in 2003 and since has been an advocate for greater recognition and support for rainbow mental health. Tasha completed her Masters research on Lesbian womens’ experience of grief and loss from the death of an intimate partner in a New Zealand context. When not working Tasha enjoys pottering in her garden with her wife and greyhound.
Vicky Wood
Vicky (she/they) has 20 years experience in social services in both Scotland and New Zealand. Vicky has a long history of working with marginalised communities including homeless, sex workers and addiction. They are a proud member of the rainbow community. They have had wide involvement in facilitating community education including diversity training in disability, rainbow wellbeing and health advocacy.