James Storrar | Freelancer Resume

I am a dedicated Carer, Educator, and Subject Matter Expert in addiction and mental wellbeing, with a robust foundation built on nearly a decade of full-time academic study— including advanced qualifications in nursing, health studies, and specialized postgraduate awards—and extensive professional experience across healthcare, education, and consultancy. My career spans front-line clinical practice, higher education lecturing, and strategic consultancy where I design, deliver, and evaluate innovative training programs and interventions. I am passionate about equipping students and practitioners with the skills not only to excel professionally but also to embrace compassionate, person-centred care founded on principles of equality and empathy. Through my work on curriculum development, peer education projects, and international training initiatives, I empower individuals—from young people to seasoned professionals—to overcome mental health challenges, recover, and thrive. EXPERIENCE Education and Well Being Support Consultant (Freelance) 05/08/2021 – Present  Liaise with contractors to mark, deliver, and review courses.  Support students with mental health and wellbeing challenges.  Audit, update, and develop online courses using purpose-designed materials; publish bespoke courses via my online portal.  Revise contractual provisions to align with updated care legislation.  Develop new online courses for contractors and third-party clients. Education and Well Being Support Consultant, Love Corporate 05/08/2020 – 05/11/2021  Collaborated with centre staff to ensure audit processes met SQA standards.  Organized and facilitated distance learning programmes.  Acted as a pastoral tutor, supporting both academic performance and personal development.  Designed, delivered, and marked specialist course content; liaised with SQAappointed external verifiers.  Mentored junior training officers. Health and Well Being Consultant/Practitioner, Ikkaido (UK) 01/01/2018 – Present  Undertake safeguarding duties, investigating and reporting issues locally and overseas.  Develop intervention frameworks for inclusion and empowerment projects.  Conduct on-site CBT and counselling interventions with vulnerable groups.  Provide specialist training on recovery, empowerment, and mental wellbeing; support junior training staff. Lecturer, Health and Social Care, West Lothian College 15/07/2013 – 18/11/2019  Delivered Health and Social Care courses at SQA levels 4, 5, and 6.  Offered pastoral guidance to foster academic and personal development.  Designed, delivered, and assessed course content in specialist areas; contributed to national marking initiatives. Education and Prevention Specialist, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Kilmarnock 03/02/2009 – 28/06/2013  Established partnerships with local colleges and schools to integrate specialist content into curricula.  Developed and delivered health promotion materials and training on mental health, drugs & alcohol, and inclusion.  Acted as a consultant for local authority and national government initiatives; supported junior staff and volunteers. Distance Learning Tutor/Assessor, Aberdeen College 11/03/2006 – 28/10/2013  Supported online and work-based learners via tutorials and email communications.  Maintained comprehensive records of student progress; provided guidance for trainee development.  Designed targeted training programmes and evaluated final assessments. Senior Staff Nurse, Ayr Clinic, Ayr 25/05/2006 – 12/11/2006  Managed care for mentally ill patients with forensic backgrounds in a secure setting.  Liaised with The Scottish Executive on treatment plan modifications.  Oversaw ward operations in management absence; assessed admissions and prepared official reports.  Facilitated training for junior staff. Community Staff Nurse (Addictions), Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS 06/03/2004 – 15/05/2006  Worked within an integrated team focusing on addiction services.  Conducted home alcohol detoxification per SIGN Guidelines and established nurseled clinics.  Delivered peer education on alcohol-related issues and produced supportive educational materials. EDUCATION & ACADEMIC RECORD Formal Academic Qualifications (Approximate Total: 1080 UK Credits – Equivalent to 9 Full-Time Academic Years)      HNC in Health Care – 120 credits Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (Mental Health) – 240 credits BSc in Health Studies – 360 credits Postgraduate Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Studies – 120 credits Post Graduate TQFE (Teaching Qualification for Further Education) – 120 credits :Includes integrated PDA in Teaching (Level 9) from Dundee University Integrated Academic Programme Summary: These cumulative qualifications represent an expansive academic journey—from vocational training through to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate study. Additional Professional Development & CPD Courses *(Approximate Total: 200 Credits Equivalent) Course Leve l- Approx. Credits Clinical Governance Awareness (NHS) 10 Stepping Stones to Supervision (NHS) 10 Alcohol Brief Intervention T4T (NHS) 10 Recovery Matters (SRN) 10 Assertiveness Management (CPD) 10 Change Management (CPD) 10 Coaching and Mentoring (CPD) 10 Project Management (CPD) 10 Co-occurring Mental Health & Addiction (NHS) 10 Emotion Matters (NHS) 10 Introduction to Trauma (NHS) 10 Motivational Interviewing (NHS) 10 Gender Based Violence (NHS) 10 Level Three in Psychotherapy (CPD) 10 Certificate in CBT Practice (CPD) 10 Certificate in REBT Practice (CPD) 10 Certificate in DBT Practice (CPD) 10 Employment Statutory Courses (Data Protection, Equality & 3 10 Diversity) Diploma in Psychology (Level 4 Equivalent) 4 20 Additional CPD Summary: These courses emphasize my ongoing commitment to professional skill development across clinical governance, therapeutic modalities, leadership, and statutory training. Integrated Academic and Professional Development Overview  Formal Academic Credits: 1080  Additional CPD Credits (Approx.): 200  Combined Total: Approximately 1280 UK Credits (Equates to roughly 10⅔ full-time academic years of study and professional development.) PUBLICATIONS  2017 – A Student’s Guide to Drug Addiction and Mental Health Print Edition, ISBN:- A practical guide developed for students engaging in studies related to drug misuse and mental health.  2020 -Working With Mental Well Being  2021 - Parkinson's Disease: Awareness Course  2022- Working with Mental Health Workbook  2023-Personal Development in Health and Social Care Workbook  2025- Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace for Managers: A Guide to Understanding, Prevention and Support OTHER TRAINING & CONSULTATION PROJECTS  Additional Training: Completed numerous NHS and CPD courses covering topics such as alcohol brief interventions, recovery, trauma, and advanced therapeutic approaches.  Key Projects: - 2010: Developed peer educator training materials for NHS Health Education Scotland. -: Consulted on workforce development and online learning tool creation for Hepatitis C projects at NHS Ayrshire & Arran. -: Designed a Peer Education Program for Injecting Drug Users based on change-talk methodologies. -: Participated in Erasmus+ mobilities, delivering lectures and contributing to curriculum development in the Netherlands; engaged in cross-sector conferences. -: Supported EU-funded projects targeting recovery, empowerment, and mental wellbeing among disadvantaged groups. - 2019: Led international mobility training programmes focusing on entrepreneurship and IT skills for disadvantaged youth. - 2020–Present: Consulting with private training providers to develop and deliver nationally recognised Health and Social Care courses, quality assurance initiatives, and online delivery strategies.