Facilitators
MHERC's workshops are delivered by specialists in their fields
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.