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Meet the Team
Running TCD doesn't just happen by magic and we have a highly dedicated and qualified team who make all of the community projects that we run possible.
Rachel Walmsley
Service Lead
Rachel Walmsley, our charity founder has been offering dance/fitness therapy for over 30 years and has much experience of working with vulnerable groups including severe disabilities, learning disabilities, the elderly and more recently, girls who have experienced Child Sexual Exploitation. Her qualifications include IDTA for a number of dance genres, Paradance, England Athletics Run Leader, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and ASIST (Assured Suicide Intervention Skills Training). She is also a qualified personal trainer. Rachel also is Leeds Mind Senior Postvention Practitioner she works with families in the Kirklees area who have been bereaved by suicide
Hi, I'm Steven and one of the trainers for Luke's Lads. I've been involved in sports and fitness for nearly 40 years and have competed in numerous sports and helped others achieve their goals during that time. Through my own journey with mental health and attending Luke's Lads it has helped me rebuild my own confidence and to now have the privilege of being able to be a volunteer and give back to others who are on their own mental health journey.
Bex O'Gorman
Senior Facilitator
Bex O’Gorman, our Safeguarding Lead, has a vast amount of experience of working with vulnerable groups including victims of Child Sexual Exploitation (male and female), social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, substance/alcohol misuse, mental ill health and learning difficulties. Her qualifications include NVQ L3 – Children and Young People, PGCE, Substance Abuse Misuse L3, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST (Assured Suicide Intervention Skills) and she has also gained a PhD from The University of Huddersfield researching CSE and protecting children from sexual harm.
Liam Crossley
HI, I'm Liam and I'm one of the PT's for Luke's Lads I have spent 10 years as nutrition and biomechanics specialist,
I am also a level 3 personal trainer and top amateur UK bodybuilder.
I love working with new people all the time. I find it very rewarding to see the progress and success of my clients and others I help coach.'Reasons for joining the Lukes Lads’ team? Honestly, curiosity. Not in the sense to be nosey, more so to know what it mental health feels like to others We are all affected in different ways when it comes to mental health. My curiosity was see what I could personally offer these gents through my profession and life experience.
It is a very rewarding position to be in to these guys progress not only physically but mentally. Truly inspiring for me to see them develop week by week.
Steven Barlow
Marc Turowski
Hi I'm Marc, one of the dedicated facilitators for Luke’s Lads. With my extensive background in the Army, I’ve honed my skills in map reading and developed a passion for cross-country walking. As a qualified walk leader, I’ve become a community voice champion, advocating for the needs and concerns of my fellow community members. In addition, I hold a level 2 Counselling certification and Paediatric first aid training, as well as ASIST certification, demonstrating my commitment to helping others in a variety of ways. I find great fulfillment in my work with Luke’s Lads, knowing that I’m making a positive impact on the community and helping others in need