Where are you from? 
Derby born and bred. I currently live in Heage just outside Belper. 

Why did you choose to volunteer at Borderline Arts? 
I found out about Borderline Arts during my MA Creative Writing course at the University of Derby. There was an opportunity to work on the upcoming film ‘On The Borderline’. I loved the ethos of using the arts to raise awareness of mental health conditions and I also felt my own experience of living with a personality disorder made me an ideal candidate for the role. 

What is your role in Borderline Arts? 
I am commissioned as scriptwriter on the film ‘On The Borderline’, an exciting new collaboration with Borderline Arts and Smith & Smith Productions. The film shows the realities of living with borderline personality disorder, the challenges people with the condition face and their achievements alongside the struggle of managing their symptoms on daily basis. The script is based on a dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) group and we are using dramatised flashbacks of the situations members are disclosing. The film will premiere at The Quad in Derby and a DVD is being produced to help to train social services and medical professionals. 

What is your occupation outside Borderline Arts? 
I am director of mental health charity Derbyshire Mind. Our focus is on improving mental health and wellbeing for people across Derbyshire. We provide a range of advocacy and community mental wellbeing services designed to support people with mental health problems. My role includes working with people with lived experience of mental health conditions to inform our decision making and strategic planning. 

How long have you volunteered with Borderline Arts? 
I first met Sarah and the team in 2019. The project has been challenging due to Covid but we are really moving forward now and I am making great progress with the script. 

What is your favourite colour? 
The only purple you can get in a sunset over the Mediterranean sea. 

What’s one of your favourite places in the world? 
Visiting my dad in Polis, north-west Cyprus. It is a popular but quiet coastal town with many beautiful beaches, tavernas and idyllic fishing villages to visit. Amazing seafood! 

Do you have any phobias? 
I wouldn’t say it’s a phobia but I am quite unnerved by cockroaches. They have survived for 350 million years and it is said that one day they will inherit the Earth. (There are quite a few in positions of power around the world already.) 

Marmite: love it or hate it? 
Love it! Especially with buttered crumpets and a mug of tea. 

An interesting (or weird) fact about you? 
I have three titanium plates inserted into my skull. This can be rather inconvenient at airport security as I always bleep and have to undergo a full body search. 

Do you have any pets? Yes. A (very naughty) ginger kitten called Alfie. 

Introvert or Extrovert? 
Extrovert.