Lewis Smith-Connell

Background

About Lewis Smith-Connell

After 11 years in the NHS I have been privileged to have been able to connect with some truly inspiring people. I have been driven to achieve real palpable change for the residents of Lancashire, and my calling has been to improve the wellbeing of everyone, changing the dynamic of healthcare towards a facet of everyday life, on hand in all places where people live, work and play. I started my journey on an inpatient environment and learned about the nature of personal distress, but also the resilience of the human spirit. I have since worked within communities as a connector, guide, mentor and supporter, promoting social inclusion for individuals and building on the cohesion of communities. As social, economic and political shifts contributed to growing uncertainty, division and inequality my role adapted to supporting people through social crisis. In collaboration with the many agencies, charities and individuals of Lancashire who all work in this arena we have kept gas on, taps running and people alive, working tirelessly to give people fairer chances to reach their potential. Over the last 2 and a bit years I have changed role, and as a community development project lead I have been able to take a more strategic, holistic and comprehensive approach to the challenges facing our communities. I and proud to say I work with exceptional people and I have been able to achieve many successes, if you are interested in our work please ask me about: This Stylist Listens, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, Small Talk and Chorley Sheds. In the coming years I aspire to mould my work into a more cohesive model, utilising the methods and framework built by Recovery Colleges across the country, enabling us all to reach our fuller Human potential, with a little help from friends.