I am an educational psychologist advanced practitioner for a local authority. Psychological Relief in the Aftermath of a Crisis was my Fellowship topic. The purpose of my Fellowship was to investigate ways in which children and young people can be supported in the aftermath of a crisis, to develop resilience and prevent anxiety and depression. My research into adolescents' responses to parental bereavement and caring for the prevention of mental health difficulties in children and adolescents led to this research.

As a result of my Fellowship, I have contributed to the development of the Educational Psychology Service crisis support policy. I have developed leaflets for staff, parents, children and young people and provided psychological first aid in schools alongside a colleague, in response to various crisis incidents.

Since the Fellowship I have trained 130 education and social care professionals to be Facilitators of the Friends Resilience programme. Evaluation studies of this evidence-based programme have shown a decrease in young people's anxiety levels.

I am so grateful for the Fellowship experience for developing my leadership skills.