Andy Connolly

Client Services Director / Acting Chief Executive

 

A practising psychotherapist and counsellor, Andy has worked extensively in the charity sector, with experience in areas such as cancer, sexual health, young people and LGBT+ mental health.

He is passionate about the development of new and innovative services for the delivery of counselling and emotional support, and improving access to those services for diverse groups of people. He is excited to be part of the team at SurvivorsUK.

 

Alan Robertson

Operations Manager / ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)

 

Alan is the male Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) at SurvivorsUK. His role is to offer practical and emotional support to male survivors of rape and sexual abuse, in particular supporting them through the criminal justice process.

Prior to working at SurvivorsUK Alan volunteered on their helpline and worked as a dual diagnosis project worker in a residential home, supporting men with alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

 

Laura Reilly

ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)

 

Laura is one of the Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) at SurvivorsUK. She helps to support men throughout the reporting process, offering emotional and practical support to those who have been abused at any age. Laura studied psychology at university, and focussed her final year project on the gender differences in the acceptance of male rape myths. She believes in increasing the awareness and support available to male survivors of rape and sexual abuse. 

 

Katherine Cox

Supervisor, Counsellor & Groupwork Co-ordinator

 

Katherine is Clinical supervisor, counsellor and groupwork co-ordinator. She has worked in the charitable sector as a social worker and then as a psychotherapist and supervisor. She has experience of working in palliative care, sexual health, with survivors of trauma, with LGBT communities and young people. She is passionate about the development of groups as well as 1:1 work at SurvivorsUK.

 

Jeremy Sachs

Groupwork Co-ordinator

 

Jeremy has facilitated therapeutic groupwork for years. Delivered to groups who have experienced trauma, live with long term health issues or caught in cycles of violence. His work is therapeutically informed, with a strong emphasis on a creative, person-centred approach. He strongly believes that group work is key to tackling social isolation and building a sense of wellbeing and agency, after surviving adverse life experience/s.

 

Neil Atkinson

Groupwork Co-ordinator

 

Neil is a counsellor, psychotherapist, trainer and group worker who works in NHS contracted and charitable sector services, as well as private practice. His experience ranges from substance misuse, LGBT+ issues and childhood trauma to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Neil is a keen advocate of the transformative power of group work.

 

Agnese Manfrin

Digital Marketing & Website Officer

 

Agnese has a proven track record working in digital communications, online marketing, branding, editing and website management for charities and public sector organisations. Besides working for people’s empowerment behind the screen, she has previously worked as educator with refugees, migrants, children, and founded a youth development charity. She takes pride in working for one of the few organisations in the country that works exclusively with male survivors.

 

Our Emotional Support Services and Counselling Team