Our Team

Beck House – Director & Founder

Hi I’m Beck and I retired from Lancashire Police four years ago after serving twenty-one years. Seventeen years ago I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act as a serving police officer having suffered a severe psychotic episode due to a number of personal reasons and the medication I was placed on. I spent 28 days in a psychiatric unit under assessment. This was an horrendous time for myself and I was still no better when I was discharged. However over the coming months I gradually worked on my mental health and got myself off my medication. My main aim was to get my career back in the police which I had wanted to do since the age of 5 years. I was very fortunate to do this and managed to get my career back as a police officer for another 15 years as a frontline officer. Unfortunately I was assaulted at a job which ended my career in the constabulary.

It was only when I left that I was open about what happened to me and self published my book ‘Police to Paranoia’ which is a true story of everything I went through. From that I have been approached by many individuals about their own Mental health which gave me the idea to set up my own CIC S.I.S – Strength In Struggles. The aim of my talks is to educate people around mental health and ultimately recovery, based around my own experiences.

Having experienced severe mental health myself I know how it feels and want to offer that help and understanding to others going through similar situations. I was fortunate and recovered, and I want to turn my bad experience into something positive with a view to educating and supporting others. I often think if I had had somewhere to go to or listen to someone who had gone through Mental Health challenges then it may have helped me.

I have a Bachelor of Honours in Psychology & Criminology and a BTEC in Health &Social Care

About My Book

Zoe McPherson – Director, Director / Counsellor at The Hill Counselling Practice

Hi I’m Zoe co-founder of the Hill Counselling Practice with experience working in palliative care settings and women’s services. I am a doctoral student at the University of Central Lancashire, studying the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the grieving process. This is an area of personal and professional interest for me, as I have worked in bereavement services for many years.

I am passionate about supporting people who are facing loss, trauma, and change, and I use my communication, team building, and time management skills to balance my academic and professional responsibilities. I hold a BACP Accreditation and an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I also lead the well-being walks – ‘Walk The Talk’ with Beck within S.I.S

The Hill counselling practice provide funded counselling sessions through S.I.S with our trained therapists.

Steve Bradshaw – Director, Retired Police Inspector / Founder of TV Cops

Hi I’m Steve. I am a retired Police officer who dedicated 27 years to Lancashire Constabulary, primarily serving in the firearms department. My passion for acting led me to work with the ‘Oscar Kilo’ service, where I starred in wellbeing videos to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by police officers. After retiring in 2022, I founded TVCops.co.uk, a consultancy specialising in providing police advice for TV and film. I continue to pursue my love of acting, with appearances in popular shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Bay, Wolfe, and Cold Feet.

Paula Slater – Director, Director of My Psychological Wellness

Hi, I’m Paula, a wife, mother, mental health professional, and passionate advocate for helping people overcome adversity and recognise their own strengths.

With a Master’s degree in Psychology, I run my own psychological therapies business and work with adults, children, and young people across schools, children’s homes, workplaces and safeguarding services. I am also currently training to become a counsellor.

Having lived through childhood adversities, trauma, and profound personal loss, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the work I do. Fourteen years ago, I lost my daughter at just 10 years old. Since then, I have travelled the world completing her bucket list in her memory, turning heartbreak into purpose and inspiration.

I am deeply passionate about mental health, community support, and helping people through their most vulnerable moments. I previously ran a charity that raised £1.1 million in four years and have been honoured as a Pride of Britain finalist, SHEro Award winner, and Inspirational Woman of the Year.

I am proud to join the board of directors at Strength in Struggles CIC and look forward to us all working together to help make a lasting positive difference in people’s lives.

Non – Executive Directors

Sarah Dearden – CEO of Enso Creative Arts CIC

Hi I’m Sarah and I’m the founder of Enso Creative Arts. After a diagnosis of severe clinical depression and anxiety following the birth of my second daughter, I was referred to the creative arts and well-being centre which, without exaggeration, saved me.

I went on to become a self employed artist and from that began facilitating arts for wellbeing sessions for local organisations. Identifying a need for longer term programmes, I established Enso Creative Arts CIC in 2023. I believe passionately in the restorative power of creativity and in the huge impact it has on mental health, developing confidence and building communities.

Enso Creative Arts aims to provide accessible arts sessions to as wide an audience as possible and we can achieve this through collaboration with other organisations.

Catherine Strickland – Private Teacher/Tutor offering Alternative Education Provision

Hi I’m Catherine and I have a wealth of experience as a school teacher having taught a range of ages and abilities from KS1 to KS4. I currently teach young people (NEET) with SEND and SEMH on a one-to-one basis with a pastoral approach to help them re-engage in their learning and overcome any challenges.

I recognise that everyone is unique with different strengths and preferences. I aim to create an adaptable educational journey in a safe place that enables young people to find focus and confidence that can help them flourish in an everchanging world.

I am looking forward to being actively involved with Strength in Struggles by supporting and challenging the charity to grow and thrive in their mission to support anyone concerned about their mental health.

Lyndsay

My name is Lyndsay. I’m a wife and a mum to 3 adult children who are my everything!

I have had a vibrant and varied career built around supporting, guiding, and connecting people across a wide range of roles and life experiences. I have worked both in the UK and overseas, from ensuring people get the most out of their holiday experience and managing a team of staff to helping jobseekers and employers in the workplace through the Department for Work and Pensions.

As a volunteer, I have managed Girlguiding groups especially focusing on Rainbows for girls aged 5–7, creating safe, fun, and empowering spaces for young people to thrive. I have worked in education as a teaching assistant in a primary school, where I also led the PTA, coordinated school events, and raised valuable funds. I am very passionate about organising events which bring the local community together.

As of late I have been particularly passionate about supporting people navigating and wanting to dip their toe into sobriety, drawing on my own journey of over 400 days alcohol-free to inspire and guide others. With a life steeped in people-centred work, I am proud to contribute my diverse experience, lived insight, and enthusiasm to help Strength in Struggles grow in purpose, reach, and impact.