Ruddocks at 140: A celebration of history, community, and innovation
On Thursday, October 10th, Ruddocks officially launched a year-long celebration to mark an incredible 140 years in business.
Read MoreLincoln counsellors have warmly congratulated colleague Christopher Morris, who is celebrating being promoted by the Naomi Watkins Counselling Hub CIC.
Three-and-a-half years after joining the fast-growing Community Interest Company, this vastly experienced therapist has been made Operations Director. News comes after a hectic year when the NWCH team found itself counselling 800 people a month.
“I’m thrilled about my new role, which is actually in addition to my work as clinical and safeguarding lead. It involves overseeing all NWCH’s work, including managing levels two, three and four counselling programmes, as well as delivering my own client sessions,” said Christopher.
“I may be busier than ever, but this is an important role. NWCH continues to see unrelenting demand for its services and our founder and chief executive Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska’s commitments include talking to partner organisations and potential funders, speaking at high profile events, organising conferences and events, in addition to supporting her own clients.”
Christopher Morris and Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska
Before joining the Allenby Road Industrial Estate centre, Christopher – who has a degree in psychology – worked in the Third Sector helping people with learning disabilities. A former senior care sector manager, he also once managed a special service for autistic people.
Christopher, who is from Mansfield, takes a humanist and holistic approach to helping clients thrown off course by life’s challenges and he firmly believes that peoples’ physical and mental health are intrinsically connected.
Well-equipped with the essential tools, he effectively supports people going through life transitions, abuse, bullying, gender identity issues and much more.
“I am passionate about making counselling more accessible to people from all walks of life. I enjoy working with children from aged four right through to elderly people. Irrespective of age, it is vital to meet them at their point of need,” said Christopher.
“Clients are sometimes impatient to make progress, but it may be that they are not ready for therapy. Alternatively, I might not be the right person to help them. This is where NWCH’s assessment team is so valuable in matching clients with the most appropriate therapist for them,” said Christopher.
“Working with children requires a special approach, especially if they are very young, or non-verbal. Play therapy is highly effective in these cases.”
During the Pandemic, NWCH had to transition from face-to-face to online and telephone counselling. Christopher said those techniques really helped clients to make progress. There was a bonus too – because the Hub started receiving calls for support from people living miles away from Lincolnshire.
Aside from his sheer enthusiasm for counselling, amazingly Christopher continually invests in his own self-development!
“I am due to finish my two-year Masters’ Degree in Advanced Psychotherapy at the University of Salford in February. That has been incredibly valuable, but I’m not stopping there. I’m looking forward to starting my Doctorate at the University of Chester next September,” he said.
NWCH Chief Executive Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska said: “Christopher has been an integral part of NWCH for over three years now. It made complete sense for him to join our Directorship.
“In his new role as Operations Director, Christopher will oversee all of NWCH’s operations from the training academy to the management of therapists. Christopher brings a dynamic personality to the Directors team and is a huge asset to us at NWCH.
“It also means I can start to focus more on the strategic growth of NWCH. We look forward to many more years of working together.” added Naomi.
On Thursday, October 10th, Ruddocks officially launched a year-long celebration to mark an incredible 140 years in business.
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