Staff Profile – Liz Hartley, Practice Lead Inclusion Team.

Liz Hartley is a dedicated and long-standing member of The Alcohol and Drug Service team, approaching a significant milestone of 20 years with the organisation this year. Her journey in the field of recovery services spans nearly three decades, marked by diverse experiences and a commitment to helping those in need.

Early Career and Education
Originally from Sheffield, Liz moved to Hull to pursue her studies in Psychology and Criminology at the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. After graduating, she briefly returned to Sheffield but quickly realised that Hull had become her home. "When I was at University, I didn't know what I wanted to do. All I wanted was a career where I could care for but most importantly, help people. My interest was applying the principles of psychology to human behaviour," Liz recalls.

Career Path
Liz's career began with volunteer work for the Samaritans and Humbercare, where she gained valuable experience working with the Probation Service and supporting individuals with substance misuse issues. "The Samaritans provided excellent training. I also did some voluntary work for Humbercare, working with the Probation Service, supporting people with substance misuse issues," she explains.

Liz's professional journey has been diverse and enriching. She began as a Housing Assistant at a Direct Access hostel, an experience she describes as a "baptism of fire." working with individuals facing chaotic lives and complex needs. Some of her clients were fleeing abuse, while others had been involved in criminal activities. From there, she moved to a position as a support worker at a 25-bed resettlement hostel, where she helped people gain new skills to support themselves after experiencing homelessness and dealing with various needs.

Her next role was as a Structured Day Programme worker in Grimsby, which presented a different challenge. For the first time, Liz found herself working with individuals who were more stable in their recovery and motivated to make positive changes. This position involved delivering group work, which she found very rewarding. Unfortunately, the project eventually lost funding.

Following this, an opportunity arose for Liz to work in the Criminal Justice Intervention programme. In this role, she worked with individuals who had been tested for class A drugs, following arrest. These individuals were then referred to Liz's team for treatment.

Liz also spent time working within the prison system. She acknowledges that this challenging environment provided valuable experience that has served her well throughout her career.

In 2005, Liz's career took another turn when she was TUPE'd over to The Alcohol and Drug Service as an Addiction Practitioner in Primary Care. This role involved working within GP surgeries, where she provided the psychosocial aspects of treatment while GPs handled prescriptions for patients. This position marked the beginning of Liz's long-standing career with The Alcohol and Drug Service, where she continues to make a significant impact today.

Current Role
Recently, Liz has transitioned into a Practice Lead role for the Inclusion Health Team. In this position, she is responsible for developing pratice across the Inclusion Health Service. Her duties include overseeing the Health Inclusion Vehicle and homelessness outreach, supervising three staff members, maintaining a clinic in Beverley, and developing Primary Care services in the East Riding for the future.

Professional Development
Throughout her time at The Alcohol and Drug Service, Liz has pursued various training opportunities to enhance her skills and knowledge. She is currently undertaking an ILM Level 5 qualification, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.

Philosophy and Approach
Liz's career has been driven by a desire to care for and help people through applying psychological principles to understand human behaviour. She finds great fulfilment in supporting individuals through their recovery journey:

"It feels like a privilege to support people and help them to see the alternative. Coming to people who feel like they're in a black hole of despair, and feel helpless. When they see the light of possibility, my team is there to deliver the treatment."

She adds, "Working in the recovery sector is so interesting and rewarding. No two days are ever the same. To be part of someone's recovery is super challenging but to be part of that positive change is THE most rewarding job I can think of."

Personal Reflection
Reflecting on her career path, Liz acknowledges that it hasn't always been a straight line. She has made conscious choices at times to prioritise family commitments over career advancement. "With regards to the ADS Career Map, I didn't follow a straight line. For some periods of my life, I chose not to advance my career, specifically when family commitments were my main priority. However, now is the time and I am fully supported by ADS as my employer."

Liz's extensive experience, dedication to her clients, and passion for her work make her an invaluable asset to The Alcohol and Drug Service team. Her journey from a young graduate to a Practice Lead exemplifies the diverse and rewarding career paths available in the addiction and recovery field. As she approaches her 20th year with the organisation, Liz continues to bring enthusiasm, expertise, and a deep commitment to helping others to her role every day.