Our Training Team

Meet our experienced and dedicated training team.

the photo shows our staff member Hilary, who is sitting down inside and smiling straight at the camera while holding a glass of coca cola

Hilary Lythgoe

Director of Resources

With twenty-five years’ experience in management Hilary is dedicated to the areas of IT, Facilities […]

Hilary Lythgoe

Director of Resources

With twenty-five years’ experience in management Hilary is dedicated to the areas of IT, Facilities and Health & Safety.

For the last eight years Hils has led a Facilities team at a local charity working across ten sites. Hilary’s professional interests are negotiation & procurement, quality governance and solution focused strategies to support the charity to run efficiently, effectively and safely.

Hils is passionate about good mental health and ensuring Herts Mind Network can deliver the best services for clients.

In her spare time she enjoys visiting her friends in Ireland and is an avid Watford FC fan, never missing a match.

the photo shows our staff member Mike, who is in front of a brick wall, he is wearing glasses and looking at the camera with a slight smile

Mike Riggans

Service Manager – Training and Learning

After graduating with a BSc Honours in Psychology, Mike started his journey at Herts Mind […]

Mike Riggans

Service Manager – Training and Learning

After graduating with a BSc Honours in Psychology, Mike started his journey at Herts Mind Network in 2017 as a volunteer gaining experience supporting individuals with their mental health. Since then, he has supported people with their mental health in a number of roles such as, Peer Support, Community Support, Group Facilitator and Volunteer Coordinator.

Mike’s passion for learning and training has led to becoming HMN’s Training and Learning Lead, which involves working with a variety of local and national organisations to support them in creating a healthy workplace culture that embraces mental health. He is incredibly compassionate about employee wellbeing, self-compassion and suicide prevention.

In his spare time, Mike loves to continue learning at home, experimenting with cooking, watching horror films and being consumed with the duties of looking after two very hyper kittens!

The photo shows our staff member Jenna, who has green eyes and long dark brown hair, she is standing inside and smiling straight at the camera

Jenna Farrelly

Mental Health Trainer & CYP Project Development Officer

Jenna has more than 15 years experience working in and around the mental health sector, […]

Jenna Farrelly

Mental Health Trainer & CYP Project Development Officer

Jenna has more than 15 years experience working in and around the mental health sector, previously securing a BSc with honours in Criminology and Forensic Investigation. She is extremely passionate about Psychology, recently enjoying some Trauma Informed Training that has heightened her interest in this particular area.

After running her own businesses for a few years, Jenna is keen to put all of her learning and experience into developing new and exciting training sessions for service users, staff, corporate clients and volunteers.

Jenna has 2 children, a step son and 2 cats and enjoys a glass of fizz with her friends at the weekend!

the photo shows our staff member Ra-Becca, who has brown eyes and long black hair, she is smiling straight at the camera

Ra-Becca Gooljar

Mental Health Trainer

Ra-Becca is passionate about human potential and empowering people to live rich and fulfilling lives. […]

Ra-Becca Gooljar

Mental Health Trainer

Ra-Becca is passionate about human potential and empowering people to live rich and fulfilling lives.

She initially qualified as a solicitor and then started her career with Mind as a Young Persons’ Advocate in 2007. Since then she has worked for various branches of Mind and other charities offering wellbeing coaching, facilitating wellbeing groups and leading mental health courses (amongst other things).

She has also spent several years travelling and volunteering in various communities and wellbeing organisations.

In her spare time Ra-Becca enjoys being in nature and sound yoga.

the photo shows our staff member Victoria, who is sitting inside and smiling straight at the camera

Victoria McDermott

Mental Health Trainer & Admissions and Discharge Lead

Victoria has over 20 years experience, in the health and wellbeing industry working throughout the […]

Victoria McDermott

Mental Health Trainer & Admissions and Discharge Lead

Victoria has over 20 years experience, in the health and wellbeing industry working throughout the UK and Europe with her training sessions and workshops.

A key focus of her work has always been mental health and she creates a safe space for others to explore different possibilities and real-life scenarios to enable deeper understanding to take place.

Victoria is passionate about raising awareness around mental health and providing practical tools and strategies to help people overcome adversity and challenge.

Meditation has been central to her vision in encouraging everyone she encounters to practice this empowering tool for mind relaxation. In her spare time she enjoys water sports and travelling.

Darren Moyle

Mental Health Trainer

Darren has a drive to help people, to facilitate learning and grow knowledge so that […]

Darren Moyle

Mental Health Trainer

Darren has a drive to help people, to facilitate learning and grow knowledge so that everyone can lead more informed and happier lives.

Darren has lived experience of trauma, the experiences developed a curiosity to understand how physical and emotional health need attention.

With over 10 years of experience teaching Martial Arts and Self-Defence, Darren takes a positive, empowering approach to helping people build both mental resilience and practical skills.

He is currently training to become a counsellor and has also volunteered as a Befriender with the North London Foundation Trust (NLFT), offering regular, friendly support to those facing mental health challenges.

The photo shows our staff member Jenny standing outside, who has dark eyes and dark brown hair in a plat, she is wearing glasses and looking at the camera with a slight smile

Jenny Bridger

Mental Health Trainer & Client Engagement and Involvement Coordinator

Jenny’s passion for mental health training comes from her lived experience of mental ill health […]

Jenny Bridger

Mental Health Trainer & Client Engagement and Involvement Coordinator

Jenny’s passion for mental health training comes from her lived experience of mental ill health which has been present since her early teens. Having experienced both positive and negatives across various inpatient and outpatient settings, she discovered that helping others to learn through these was an invaluable way to give back to the mental health community.

She became involved in the HMN training team through writing the course Understanding Self Harm and discovered that her insight into the topic, gave her the opportunity to help inform staff about how they can support clients. Having joined the HMN team as the Client Engagement and Involvement Coordinator in May 2022, Jenny is passionate about involving those with lived experience in developing training.

Jenny is also a huge animal lover and avid volunteer at both a local Riding for the Disabled and a local sustainability non profit, where she enjoys gardening and crafting through woodwork.

the photo shows our staff member Hannah, who has green eyes and long wavy hair, she is looking at the camera with a slight smile

Hannah Lewis

Mental Health Trainer & Senior Volunteer & Youth Mentoring Coordinator

After graduating with a BSc Honours in Psychology, Hannah joined Herts Mind Network in 2017. […]

Hannah Lewis

Mental Health Trainer & Senior Volunteer & Youth Mentoring Coordinator

After graduating with a BSc Honours in Psychology, Hannah joined Herts Mind Network in 2017. She has gained a wealth of experience working in roles supporting adults, children and young people who are experiencing mental ill health to improve and develop their independence, resilience and mental wellbeing. Hannah also coordinates our growing team of amazing Volunteers.

Hannah is experienced in delivering solution-focused therapy, with client led and strength-based approaches to fulfil their potential. In addition to her client work, Hannah works within the training team delivering a diverse set of CYP training including self-harm, eating disorders, anxiety and our Adult and Youth Spot the Signs Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, which she is incredibly passionate about.

In her spare time, Hannah loves travelling to new countries, being active and spending time with her two cats, Freddie and Bounty!

the photo shows our staff member Adrian, who is standing outside in the sunshine and smiling straight at the camera

Adrian Wildsmith

Mental Health Trainer & Peer Support Team Leader

With over 25 years of experience in business and mental health, Adrian brings his passion […]

Adrian Wildsmith

Mental Health Trainer & Peer Support Team Leader

With over 25 years of experience in business and mental health, Adrian brings his passion for personal development and wellbeing to the team.

Adrian’s varied career has given him a wealth of knowledge and depth to his delivery as a trainer.

His curiosity and drive has led him to becoming a Peer Support Team Leader, running one of the largest and central services in Herts Mind Network.

With 15 members of staff supporting 180+ clients at anyone time, the service is a mainstay of our mental health provision in Hertfordshire.

When Adrian isn’t at work, he can be found in his Art Studio creating his next commissioned piece of art, managing his private clients in his coaching business or performing some of his poetry at his local poetry group.

Adrian also loves wild swimming, so can often be found in a local river having a quick dip!