Joanne Barber

She started her professional career as a Community Nursing Assistant, progressing to palliative nursing within BUPA. She always had a passion to help people and found that a person’s mental health was just as important as their physical. This led to her studying Psychology and, later down the line, Psychological Trauma. 

She lectured in the field at Chester University and applied this to supporting clients suffering with their mental health into employment — specifically military personnel. This is where she found her passion for Individual Placement & Support (IPS). She went from being an Employment Specialist, Team Leader to where she is now as a Regional IPS Lead.

Joanne’s expertise sits within mental health (specifically psychological trauma, depression and personality disorders), veteran support and guidance and good wellbeing.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I really enjoy playing piano.

What would be your superpower?

I would love to be able to speak/​understand any language instantly!

If time travel were possible, which era would you go to?

I would love to go back to the Tudor period – I have a real fascination with the era. A day in Hampton Court Palace liaising with Henry VIII would be fantastic (so long as I stayed in his good books and not on the chopping block!)