A bit about Danny Hames

I have 18 years’ experience working in the public and voluntary sectors, within criminal justice, health and the drug and alcohol treatment sector. I have worked as an Administrator, Practitioner, Operational Manager and Head of Development. In September 2018 I became the Head of Inclusion which is part of the Midlands NHS Foundation Partnership Trust. Inclusion is the largest NHS provider of drug and alcohol services in England working in both prisons and the community. Inclusion also provides Sexual Health and Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services, Recovery College and employment services. Danny is an accredited PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner and holds a PG Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Policy and a MA in Voluntary Sector Studies. I was a founding member and Chair of the NHS Addiction Provider Alliance which was founded in 2016 a collaboration of fifteen NHS trusts who provide drug and alcohol treatment services across England. I feel fortunate work for the NHS and to have a role which I greatly enjoy. I aim to make a positive contribution for all those who use our services. As someone who was brought up in social housing, received free school meals and has been personally affected by the impact of addiction at a young age and throughout my life I am determined that Inclusion fulfils the its positive purpose with the people who I am lucky to work with - both colleagues and service users.

A bit about Taj Singh

I am passionate in providing the best patient/service user experience possible. I’ve worked within the health and social care field for that last 17 years, from starting as an assistant psychologist in HMP Blakenhurst. I have worked in many roles within criminal justice, substance misuse, and forensics. I enjoy working for an organisation that is passionate about making a difference and has a strong belief in people’s ability to change. I am proud to be part of such. Academically I have a degree in psychology, NOMS (National Offender Management service) accredited qualifications, several high level accredited diplomas in leadership and management by CMI, and I am a qualified coach/mentor for MPFT. My previous role was as the Regional Lead providing strategic and operational leadership to services in south central areas of Inclusion.

A bit about David Cupit

I have worked with individuals affected by drugs, alcohol, offending and mental health across the public and voluntary sector since 2002. I have been involved in the delivery, implementation and management of all aspects of drug and alcohol services with specific interest areas of criminal justice, harm reduction and alcohol. Most recently form 2018 as Inclusions Commercial Development and Information lead in tendering, partnerships, large scale implementations including leading on Inclusions Digital Strategy. As someone who loves a challenge I find the work I do very rewarding and love being part of an organisation that values all of those we serve, those we work in partnership with and our own staff.

A bit about Grace Masinuka

After gaining a degree in Psychology and Sociology I began working with children with severe emotional difficulties and challenging behaviour. From this point I knew supporting others to make positive changes and overcome difficulties was where I belonged. I later joined the Prison Service as Psychological Assistant and soon transitioned towards substance use roles. In 2012 I started in a brand new role of Operational Support Manager, then Project & Development Manager and in 2019 became Programmes & Communications Lead. I'm co-chair of our National Service User Involvement Meeting which is one of my highlights and serves as a reminder for when we do things well and when we need to do better and I'm confident that with our Inclusion team this is always achievable. I am an accredited PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner, have a Diploma (L7) in Professional Marketing and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). I thoroughly enjoy my role, and truly believe that Inclusion has the same values today as when our paths first crossed. In my role, I am passionate in ensuring ease of access to anyone who needs our help and also that the quality and care we provide is what we would want any of our loved ones to experience. Integrity is really important to me and as the Programmes Lead I see my role as ensuring we evolve to meet the changing needs without losing sight of the values that make us us.

A bit about Mark Poingdestre

I started my career in Probation and Bail Hostels at the tender age of 21. It was an excellent grounding in the field with clear, proportionate processes in place and a high level of accuracy required to provide evidence for the courts. I had some excellent managers and teachers there. After 5 years or so I landed my first job as a Care Manager in a Specialist Substance Misuse Social Services Department going on to work as Service Manager, Area Manager and Deputy Director in a National Drug and Alcohol Charity. Championing diversity and Service User Empowerment have been a long running themes in my work. I never forget that we are all service users.

A bit about Jon Shorrock

A bit about Paul Evans

I have over 16 years experience working in both the public and voluntary sector. This has been predominantly with the mental health and drug and alcohol treatment fields. My professional background is as a psychological therapist working within the NHS and voluntary sector supporting service users with common mental health problems and survivors of sexual violence. I have worked as an Operational manager and now support services across the East of England.

A bit about Kim Knight

I have 15 years’ experience working in the public sector, within youth services, public health, smoking prevention and the sexual health sector. I have worked as an Administrator, Young people and Smoking Project Worker, Sexual health project worker, team leader and Operational Manager. In January 2014 I became the Service manager for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Sexual Health Service which is part of the Midlands NHS Foundation Partnership Trust, where I have been instrumental in integrated services and developing a digital, self managed care model to transform that gives service users a greater choice over there care. In 2018 I became the development lead for MPFT Sexual Health Services overseeing tendering, new business and supporting the wider sexual health services with their development needs.

A bit about Avril Kearney

I have 20 years of working in prison settings, I started working as a prison officer in 2001 and moved into drug and alcohol services in 2004 when I joined the prison CARAT team. I have also been a senior practitioner and team leader moving into the cluster manager role with Inclusion in 2016 supporting the Yorkshire Prison Cluster. I have recently moved into a secondment role as Regional Lead for the North. I enjoy working in fast paced, challenging environments which prisons bring and feel fortunate to be able to support people in their recovery providing services to people with drug and alcohol addictions.