Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist over 30 years ago, Jan Bostock, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, has worked with adults in primary and secondary care mental health settings, and has used Community Psychology principles to inform her practice in the NHS. In the episode, we hear about the beginnings of Jan’s work with a Community Psychology remit in Nottingham Psychology Services led by Professor David Smail, and her move to the Northumberland Public Health Service from 2000 to 2010. Since then she has managed and developed psychological services in CNTW NHS Foundation Trust and recently retired as Associate Director for Community Services in Newcastle and Gateshead. She continues to apply Community Psychology ideas, to work with Lived Experience Practitioners and peer supporters, and to promote collective, fair and compassionate leadership in organisations, aiming to take account of people’s social and economic status, and experiences of justice and equity.

In her current work, Jan reflects that the most overwhelming challenge is living in a society of structural inequality and injustice, where privileged economic interests are put before the value of many people’s lives and even their survival. That has been starkly illustrated in COVID, the motives of the government have been to promote opportunities for profit among businesses and people who are already wealthy, and to fail to support public services and the people who work and use those services.

Jan can be found here Twitter: @JaybeBostock and is an active member within Community Psychology networks and Psychologists for Social Change.