Meet The Team
Staff Team
Dee Nixon
Chief Executive & Creative Programme Director
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: 2015
Background: Although Dee started her career as a Nurse [SRN] she then was a mental health nurse [RMHN]. Dee has also over thirty years’ business experience within a variety of vertical markets these include print and broadcast media, marketing and event management, commercial banking and telecommunications. Dee has worked in Northern Ireland, the UK and Ireland as well as working in the US. Dee has many years of experience in senior management, and as a Director she has won multiple awards in these roles. Dee is also a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator.
Achievements: SRN, RMHN, BBus – Bachelor of Business
Interests: Reading, Arts and Crafts, Interior Designing, Family, Friends
Quote To Live By: “Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself”
Nadia Lawrence
Youth Development Director
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: October 2020
Background: BSc Psychology from Queens University Belfast and MSc Psychology & Mental Health Therapies from Ulster University, as well as having worked in suicide prevention, and early intervention for over 8 years. Nadia started in the VCSE as a voluntary youth leader at the age of 14, sitting on youth committees for her local area, she then moved on to gain experience working with children and adults with neurodiversity’s. Further experience within data collection, analysis, leading on to programme development and advocating for mental health education globally through podcasts, conferences, keynote speaking engagements and articles.
Achievements: BSc Psychology
MSc Applied Psychology & Mental Health Therapies
CO3 One To Watch 2022
CO3 Mentor of the Year 2023
Woman of the Year 2023
One Young World Ambassador
Certificate of Teacher Development: Embedding Mental Health into the Curriculum
Interests: Staying Active, Coffee and Sustainable Fashion
Quote To Live By: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Mine , Winnie the Pooh
Campbell Hamilton
Relationship Development Manager
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: 2016
Background: More than a decade in Youth Work; 20 years as a University Theological Lecturer in Africa, 5 of those years in Institutional Leadership, and the UK. 30+ years working in the Charity Sector
Achievements: BA (Hons) Humanities; BD (Hons) Divinity; MTh; Dip.Th.
Interests: Reading, Writing, Movies, Football (Strictly as a spectator) Public Speaking
Quote To Live By: “Work for the wellbeing of the people around you; work for it, live for it.“
JJ Flood
Youth Development Officer
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: Early 2022
Background: I’m 35 & originally from North Belfast. Outside of Hope 4 Life NI, I founded and run a coaching business that focuses on emotional regulation and our relationship with food.
Achievements: After leaving school I worked in the world of media at a leading Irish newspaper before going on to found my own business at 29. I’ve grown my coaching business to be able to cater for people all over the world, with clients as far flung as Florida.
Interests: You’re likely to either find me at a dog park with my two pups, Ralph & Sasha, in the gym or at a live stand up gig.
Quote To Live By: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf” – Jon Kabat Zinn
Conor Darragh
Digital Administrator
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: July 2024
Background: Currently in final year of a Computing Technologies undergraduate degree at Ulster University, including a 1 year placement at PwC. Also 3 years experience as a football coach and 3 1/2 years in retail.
Achievements: Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (Youth) – 2021/22 Ulster University Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Build Environment Dean’s List Award
Interests: Sport and Gaming
Quote To Live By: “Be a goldfish” – Ted Lasso
Michael Weir
Digital Administrator
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: July 2024
Background: Michael has always had an interest in technology, especially making sure it works for people instead of the other way around. He comes to Hope 4 Life NI with years of experience in varied areas – software development, audio engineering, live events, and copy writing – and the intention to support the charity’s vision for better mental health with the best digital tools available.
Achievements: Designing a 14-model line of premium loudspeakers and shepherding them all the way to the production line. In Thai.
Interests: Michael maintains his own mental health by making stuff when he can, solo and with friends, whether that’s music, photography, film, or fun little bits of software. Michael values being part of the Belfast tech scene, recently becoming a member of the Farset Labs maker space and joining the team organising the Northern Ireland Developers Conference 2024.
Quote To Live By: “Show up”
Danielle McClenaghan
Placement Student
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: August 2024
Background: Psychology student at Ulster University, 2 years youth work experience, 1 year as a barista and 1 1/2 years at a sweet shop.
Achievements: Working on it :))
Interests: Drawing and Nature Walks
Quote To Live By: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott
Marcus Smyth
Placement Student
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: August 2024
Background: I am currently doing a 3 year psychology degree at Ulster University. I have also been working in retail for the past 3 years.
Achievements: Qualified personal trainer and spin instructor
Interests: Gym, Airsoft, cars, and breaking stuff and pretending to fix it
Quote To Live By: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Tori Broome
Placement Student
At Hope 4 Life NI Since: August 2024
Background: I am a student in my third year of a psychology undergraduate degree at Ulster University. I am currently completing my one-year placement with Hope 4 Life NI and work with children part-time. Throughout my education I have held roles in student representation, advocation, and research participation. Over the years I have also participated in many work or volunteer roles in order to provide support to community members.
Achievements: Ulster University Dean’s List Award, OCN NI Level 2 Peer Mentoring Qualification, Cultural Intelligence Accelerator Micro-Credential, Think Pacific Placement Completion Certificate, Ulster University Peer Mentoring Completion Certificate.
Interests: Nature, Reading and Music
Quote To Live By: “What is meant for you will never pass you.”
WRAP® [Wellness Recovery Action Plan] Advanced Level Facilitators
Ann Butler
Ann first trained as a general nurse and has worked in the field of mental health for 24 years; she has a special interest in achieving health and wellness through self-management and self-care. She has extensive experience working within Acute Mental Health Care, Rehabilitation and Support & Recovery Services. Currently, she is also the WRAP Co-coordinator for the Southern Trust where she is an active member of the Recovery Steering Group responsible for advancing Recovery orientated practice within the Trust.
She is also a holistic practitioner, practising Aromatherapy, reflexology, Homeopathy, Flower remedies and Colour Breathing Relaxation Therapy and Stress Management. Ann is an Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) and has developed the use of this tool within the SHSCT over the past 3 years to help improve the overall health and wellbeing of staff, carers and those who access services. Her work includes information, training and facilitation of WRAP programmes and workshops to support individuals reach their full potential. The Nurse of The Year award was won in 2012 by Ann and her colleague John O’ Grady in recognition for their development and delivery of the pioneering WRAP training programme within the health service.
Damien McAleer
Damien has worked as a Registered Nurse and Tutor for 14 years. He has a keen interest in behaviour that challenges and completed his MSc dissertation in the same in 2009. He was first introduced to WRAP as a recovery model in 2010 and has since progressed to Advanced Facilitator training via the Copeland Centre Vermont in March 2013.
He has extensive experience of facilitating WRAP groups and is passionate about the benefits this action plan has delivered into the lives of those who have attended the training.
WRAP® [Wellness Recovery Action Plan] Facilitators
Paddy Davidson
Paddy develops the national strategic vision for the Education, Training and Development of programmes of the Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, ensuring they are relevant, accessible and delivering excellence for young people.
He works closely with the Policy and Strategy team to determine the impact of external policies and research on the Trust’s Education, Training and Development programmes. He is also the only person in the UK licensed to offer courses in Mental Health First Aid for both England and Northern Ireland and is also a qualified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator.
Dee Nixon
Campbell Hamilton
MHFA®[Mental Health First Aid] Advanced Level Facilitators
Paddy Hanna
Paddy develops the national strategic vision for the Education, Training and Development of programmes of the Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, ensuring they are relevant, accessible and delivering excellence for young people.
I have worked as Director of Hanna Consultancy for the last 14 years.
“Supporting people securing success” is our raison d’être and we do this by offering consultancy services to to private, public and voluntary organisations on a range of topics including:
Leadership and Mentoring – Interpersonal and Communication Skills – Health and Well-Being Audits – Risk Assessments – Mental Health First Aid – Disability Awareness – Bullying and Harassment – Mediation and Conflict Resolution – Equality
I am passionate about family, education, mental health, golf and MAN UTD!