Specialist areas
Mental health, advocacy, co-production, participatory approaches, public engagement and consultation, not-for-profits, access to justice, change management.
Length of experience
13 years
Experience
Ellie completed her law degree at Cardiff University where she found a particular interest in ‘medicine ethics’, examining the connection between healthcare, law, and ethics, including patient autonomy, consent, and mental capacity. Ellie’s study of jurisprudence and sociology of law introduced her to alternative models of justice and affirmed her belief that traditional approaches to crime and punishment are not effective.
Ellie began her career as a participation and involvement facilitator, where she facilitated a network of health & social care professionals and individuals to promote partnership working and involve service users in the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services. This included project managing Powys Patients’ Council; a service facilitating inpatient representation on psychiatric wards. During this time, Ellie undertook national public consultations on various areas of mental health policy and service provision.
Ellie moved on to practise as an Independent Mental Health Advocate, supporting mental health patients in psychiatric units to access their legal rights and empowering people to have their voice heard in relation to their medication, treatment, and care. Ellie later managed the Cwm Taf Statutory Advocacy service, supporting a team of advocates and working collaboratively with the Health Board to improve service delivery whilst maintaining a complex caseload. She specialised in working with clients with learning disabilities.
Ellie later moved on to work in access to justice at LawWorks where she supported the development of pro bono activity and free legal advice clinics through engagement with the legal community in Wales. Ellie managed membership for Wales alongside the provision of a training programme designed to equip volunteer lawyers to deliver pro bono advice to a range of clients in the community. Ellie diversified the training offer to include Psychologically Informed Environments, Mental Health Awareness, and Working with Distressed Clients.
Ellie is passionate about accessibility, inclusion, and the power of relationships in building dynamic services and resilient communities. She has seen the transformative impact of challenging traditional language, power structures, and approaches which uphold ‘us and them’ dynamics. Ellie is delighted to be part of a team at WRAP who upholds these values.
Ellie delivers training across sectors with a particular focus on restorative communication skills and the difference these make to building effective and happy teams. Ellie especially enjoys working with schools and relating to her experience of attempting to parent a spirited toddler as restoratively as she can!
Memberships/Qualifications
LLB Law, Cardiff University
Public Engagement: Theory and Practice Level 3 (Agored Cymru)
Level 3 Certificate in Independent Advocacy (City and Guilds)