The Sanctuary Lodge Team

Jenna Veerapen

Registered Manager

Jenna has over 12 years experience working with challenging behaviour in the field of addiction, other mental health conditions and delivering 12 step accredited programmes, specialising in Substance Misuse.

Jenna’s degree in Psychology started her on her journey working with challenging behaviour and thinking processes, within a Psychiatric unit and the Forensic Psychology department of her Majesty Prison Service. She continued to work for HMPs, within the substance misuse field, where she gained extensive experience and expertise working for several organisations, such as Adapt, Phoenix Futures and RAPt.

Her passion for working in the substance misuse field encouraged her to train further as Integrative counsellor, which she has done since she qualified in 2011. She has actively worked on the foundation of service delivery and also facilitated and created mental health training which was delivered to universal staff under Norfolk County Council to help raise awareness of mental health and tools, to work with children and young people with complex needs.

Her experience of managing the therapy team and helping with the day to day running of Sanctuary Lodge has helped her progress, from therapist to Lead Therapist and currently Center Manager. She has previously managed both small and large scale projects, and her ever-growing knowledge and expertise enables her to work in partnership with individuals, teams and organisations to help ensure a collaborative approach to change is achieved. Jenna is committed to enabling people to grow and attain personal achievements.

“A fundamental issue I have learned through personal life and my years of experience are client’s issues or diagnosis are often fuelled or based on a subjective lack of understanding of their own emotions.”

Jenna actively believes this and it underpins her daily ethos when working within the substance misuse field.

Dr Mateen Durrani

Psychiatrist

Dr Mateen Durrani is a General Adult Psychiatrist, accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrist, and is on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council, UK. He did his Masters in the Clinical aspects of Addictive behavior from the Institute of Psychiatry and King College London and has managed substance misuse services within the NHS and the Independent Sector, since 2000.

Dr Durrani believes that people who are alcohol or drug dependent have become neuroadapted to continuous or repeated exposure to a psychoactive substance. A manifestation of neuroadaptation is that a withdrawal syndrome may develop when substance use ceases. There are also underlying precipitating, maintaining and perpetuating factors that need to be addressed alongside detoxification for it to be successful. The primary objective of detoxification is completion of the withdrawal process with safety and comfort. This ensures that the person can cease alcohol or drug use without experiencing an uncomfortable and potentially hazardous withdrawal syndrome and enter into a therapeutic rehabilitation program, for relapse prevention.

Dr Durrani’s expertise includes:

Inpatient detoxification and management of patients with drug(s) and alcohol dependence. This includes Opioids, Psycho-stimulants including Amphetamine, Crack-Cocaine, Benzodiazepine, legal highs and Cannabis.
Identification and management of medical and psychosocial problems accompanying substance misuse.
The use of drugs for preventing relapse or reducing risky behavior/harm (e.g. Methadone maintenance, anti-craving drugs Naltrexone etc.)
Management of special populations such as women, older adults, prisoners, black and ethnic minority groups.
Management of dual diagnoses in people with substance misuse, serious mental illness and common mental disorders.

Tracey Beynon

Addiction Therapist

Tracy comes from an extensive background of counselling and psychotherapy having trained in Integrative counselling and psychotherapy 2012.

Tracey has previously worked at SHARPS- Self-help addiction recovery programs day rehab in Braintree as well as community drug and alcohol services for Open Road.

“I love watching change happen before my very eyes and to be able to facilitate the possibility of change with a client on their journey is truly a blessing.”

Mel Howard

Addiction Therapist

Mel has been working in the field of addiction since retraining as an Integrative Therapist, where she worked as a volunteer counsellor at Iceni Ipswich and Turning Point before working as a Recovery Worker at The Recovery Hub Ipswich.

Mel is a dedicated and passionate therapist who holds a strong belief in the innate goodness of all and our ability to overcome even the most extreme adversity.

In her spare time Mel enjoys immersing herself in nature, caring for and competing her horse and practising and studying yoga.

Ted Ferguson

Addiction Therapist

Ted has been working in the field of addictions in a professional capacity for the past 7 years. He’s trained as an integrative counsellor/psychotherapist at two prominent universities over a 5-year period, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Since graduating, Ted has also worked at various addiction treatment centres, clinics and hospitals. He is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and is on the register of the BACP for registered counsellors after passing the BACP certificate for proficiency test.

“I would describe myself as a dedicated passionate person whose values are based on integrity, compassion, authenticity and honesty with a heartfelt desire to assist people in changing their lives in overcoming addiction and living purpose-filled lives.”

Debbie Brown

Addiction Therapist

Debbie has over 10 years as an integrative counsellor, working with people of all ages, who have had various complex issues. Some of these have been drug & alcohol abuse, self-harm, depression, domestic violence, sex addiction and many more fields.

She finds it very rewarding helping others to overcome their difficulty and allowing themselves a second chance at life. She enjoys long walks and relaxing in her garden with her lovely Japanese koi pond.

“I am happy to be joining Sanctuary Lodge, this has been a lifelong opportunity to work in a rehabilitation centre”

Tyrone Peacock

RG Nurse and Recovery Support Manager

Tyrone has over 25 years of experience within the care sector, he has worked as a Registered Nurse for over 15 years. He has worked extensively with the NHS working with critically ill clients in Intensive care, moving onto specialized in endocrinology, gastroenterology including addiction, and also as a band 6 in community rehab and admission prevention, including palliative care.

Tyrone seeks to always improve patients care and utilize the best evidenced-based practice, ensuring that Nursing care is delivered at the highest standards. Tyrone has completed a higher education certificate in care management and has recently completed a train the trainer course in Anaphylaxis.

“Nursing for me is a passion; my ethos is and will always be about providing the best possible care.”

Hannah Byrne

Senior Recovery Support Worker

Hannah joined the team in 2018 after studying business law at Southbank University, during this period Hannah was reviewing her career journey. Addiction had always been an issue within her family. Hannah felt working within this sector would be more rewarding.

“Addiction and mental health is in my family, in my experience one must admit there is an issue before a solution can be proposed. I think it’s absolutely fantastic that family group is available for clients loved ones and carers”

Healther MIller

Recovery Support Worker

Heather has a lifetime experience in finance and hospitality. She moved back to Halstead to be nearer her family, and wanted to do something where she felt she was contributing and giving back. She has wanted to help others in some way, hence her warm and caring approach to Sanctuary Lodge.

“I personally have experienced family members who have struggled with addiction and have come out the other end. They survived, and continue to thrive. I feel very privileged to be part of our clients journey, and to be the best role model I can.”

Paul Smith

Recovery Support Worker

Paul has been in recovery for over 10 years from heroin, methadone, cocaine, alcohol and prescription drug addiction. He found recovery through a rehabilitation centre in Luton and then started to volunteer at the treatment centre as a recovery support worker.

“I realised the importance of giving back support and encouragement to those who were going through what I had been through 3 to 4 months previously. The support from people further down the recovery road got me through”.

Paul volunteered here for a year and then was offered part-time employment. “I believe I was offered this opportunity as I had shown willingness and commitment to the 12 Step Program of Recovery”. After a year of part-time work I was offered a full-time position as a Sober Living Houseworker, this involved supporting the clients in the evening and night times, 2 years later he was promoted to Sober Living House Manager. Unfortunately, after 8 years he was made redundant.

“Since then, I was fortunate enough to be offered a position at Sanctuary Lodge and find the work here both challenging and rewarding. To work alongside a committed team of therapists and support staff is uplifting, inspiring and helps me to continue in my professional and personal development”.

Andrei Balmos

Recovery Support Worker

Andrei has over 8 years of experience working with challenging behaviour and within the care industry. He has worked as a team leader and wanted a change. For him addiction has always been fascinating and to help people in their journeys to recovery.

Andrei feels being king, caring and passionate are essential traits in this field, alongside strong boundaries to help people whose lives have become chaotic.

“I get to be a part of helping someone to change their life.

James Baker

Recovery Support Worker

James started at Sanctuary Lodge a little over a year ago now, originally on an agency contract. However he enjoyed the work and atmosphere so much that he applied to join the team full time.

“I have always been drawn to the caring field and worked with learning disabilities for over a year and a half. I enjoy new challenges and want to use this platform to continue working in the field and train as a nurse.”

Susan Murdy

Head House Keeper / Recovery Support Worker

Sue is a local girl, she is 52 and has lived in the area all her life. She now resides in Halstead where she has been for the last 8 years. Sue joined Sanctuary lodge in October 2016.

Having worked in the Support and Care industry for the past 10 years, she has a good understanding of the needs of people that she helps, whomever they may be. Sue is understanding of peoples needs and thoroughly enjoys this type of work.

Huma Ahmed

Recovery Support Worker

Huma joined Sanctuary Lodge in the earlier part of this year as a support worker. She has a thorough background in medicine and patient care. She prides herself in helping and supporting clients with needs pertaining to addiction and mental health and also goes above and beyond for person-centred care as she believes its the small things that you do that add up to a big impact on a client’s recovery.

She believes everyone battles with loss and adversity at some point in their lives but it’s the way we deal with the failures is what defines us eventually.

Her Motto in life is to live in the moment, one step at a time.

Dorrell Kent

Recovery Support Worker

Dorrell joined Sanctuary Lodge in February 2020. Dorrell has previously worked in the Learning disabilities sector for 14 years and as a Senior Support Worker and Deputy Manager.

Dorrell enjoys supporting vulnerable people to gain independence and lead a fulfilling life.

Dorrell looks forward to using her transferable skills, to support people through their recovery journey.

Kartrina McClelland

Recovery Support Worker

Katrina’s background is predominantly in health and social care but also has the added career in catering. It was the head chef position that bought Katrina to Sanctuary Lodge in 2017. In December 2019 Katrina moved into a Recovery Support Worker position and began her own journey into studying further within counselling and psychotherapy.

“I’ve always worked in health and social care in various roles, I want to pursue my career as a therapist one day. Being a recovery support worker is fantastic. I love being part of clients journey and supporting their needs. Seeing them leave a new changed person is a privilege.”

Sean Brown

Recovery Support Worker

Sean joined Sanctuary Lodge in July 2019 and has extensive experience working with adults with mental health disorders. Sean hopes that he will be able to use his transferable skills, to support people through their recovery process.

“I hope that I can make a positive difference to the experience of client’s during treatment and that my support contributes to their successful recovery.”

Martin Jones

Chef

Martin joined the team in 2020, following a 30 year career as a chef, working in schools, hotels, hospitals and restaurants.

“I hope my food brings some love to their day”

Sanctuary Lodge really excited me for the opportunity to work in the addiction field and the rewards of getting to be part of a client’s journey to recovery.

Nicola Denson

Administrator

Nicola joined Sanctuary Lodge in May 2018 as an administrator, following a steady career path.

Before coming to Sanctuary Lodge, she has been an Administrator for most of her career, also working in Banking and Finance and for 5 years as a Government-approved driving instructor. For the last 10 years, she has worked in Care Homes for the elderly.

“I enjoy working in an environment that has its challenges, and to be part of a team which inspires the clients to succeed is very rewarding”

Susan Styles

Housekeeper

Sue moved to Halstead from Clacton on sea Essex 10 months ago she joined sanctuary lodge team a year ago.

Sue has worked in the care community for 5 years as a domestic cleaner and a support worker. Since joining sanctuary lodge she enjoys all aspects of her job and enjoys helping and caring for others.

As Seen in

Our patients' health & safety remains top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. UKAT's strong safety measures have kept doors open throughout. They will continue to do so despite a 3rd national lockdown (January 2021). To learn more, click here!