About Us
My Story
I have always been fascinated by communication and the ways in which communication can be facilitated under the most challenging circumstances. Communication is at the heart of successful relationships, services and outcomes. When communication breaks down, the consequences can be significant, affecting wellbeing, participation and opportunities.
Across a variety of settings, professionals working with children and other vulnerable groups need support to facilitate effective communication. Expectations and standards continue to rise, yet many professionals struggle to access the specialist knowledge required to meet these demands. Understanding development, neurodiversity, and trauma is essential, but translating this knowledge into practical communication strategies can be challenging.
Since graduating in 2007, I have combined my experience as a psychologist, university lecturer, researcher and intermediary to train, guide and support professionals working with vulnerable people. My work has always focused on translating complex psychological theory and research into practical, evidence-based communication strategies that improve participation and outcomes.
Me at a Glance
National training delivered across police, justice, education and health
Years of Reasearch and practical Experience
peer-reviewed publications and professional guidance
vulnerable people assisted
professionals trained
My journey as a communication specialist began at Triangle, where I completed my intermediary training under the supervision of Dr Ruth Marchant. Ruth was a pioneer in the development of intermediary practice within the UK, and her work has had a lasting influence on communication support within the justice system. The knowledge and experience I gained during my early career provided the foundations for my own professional development.
Over the following two decades, I combined research, university teaching, frontline practice and consultancy to develop my own evidence-informed approach to communication. In 2025, I left my academic post to establish Building Blocks of Communication, bringing together everything I had learned into a single consultancy dedicated to improving communication with vulnerable people. My aim is simple: to bridge the gap between research and practice, helping professionals create better communication, meaningful participation and improved outcomes.
What makes Building Blocks of Communication different?
Most professionals in this field are either researchers or practitioners.
My work combines:
- Research
- Teaching
- Frontline Practice
- Consultancy
- Communication Expertise
This means everything I deliver is evidence-based, practical and immediately applicable. I translate complex research into practical strategies that improve communication, participation and outcomes for vulnerable people.
Qualifications
- Intermediary (Registered and court-appointed, since 2012)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (2012)
- Chartered Psychologist (since 2012)
- PhD: Rapport Building in Child Forensic Interviews (2012)
- MSc Psychological Research Methods (Distinction, 2008)
- BSc Psychology with Honours (1st Class, 2007)
Professional Experience
- Founder and Director, Building Blocks of Communication Ltd
- Independent Chartered Psychologist, Registered Intermediary and consultant
- Former Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology
- Course Leader for MSc Trauma-Informed Practice
- Trainer for police, justice, education and health professionals
- Trustee and Vice Secetary of Intermediaries for Justice charity
- Member of The Intermediary Cooperative
- Researcher and author
- Regional representative for the Northeast of England and Yorkshire on the Ministry of Justice’s Regional Intermediary Reference Group
- Member of the Intermediary Professional Body working group
- Member of the National Specialist Witness Interviewing Group
- Chartered member of The British Psychological Society
National Leadership
Alongside my consultancy work, I contribute to the development of intermediary practice nationally. I am a Trustee of Intermediaries for Justice, a charity committed to improving communication and participation for vulnerable people across the justice system. I am also a founding member of the Intermediary Professional Body Working Group, helping develop proposals for a future professional body that will support standards, professional development and representation for intermediaries across England and Wales.
In addition, I am one of a small number of consultants, academics and registered intermediaries invited to join the National Specialist Witness Interviewing Group, where I work alongside national experts to help develop and improve investigative interviewing practice with vulnerable witnesses across England and Wales.
