We were pleased to hear from Zoe Gray (BSc Psychology with Professional Placement alumna) recently as she updated us on life after Placement and graduation.

Zoe completed a one year placement with the Prison Healthcare within the South Eastern Trust.  She managed a comic book “Biz in the Pris” and the project won the 'Public Health Agency’s Involvefest Chairman’s Community and Voluntary Sectors’ Involvement Award'.

Zoe is currently half way through her MSc Forensic Psychology & Mental Health with the University of Manchester.   She is currently working with Gray’s Court, a support living facility for those in recovery from alcohol or substance use.

Zoe said:

“I recently managed another comic book project. Gray's Court aims to enable people who have complex substance use problems to reconnect with family, volunteering, training, employment and their communities.

However, due to this past year our services were limited. COVID-19 challenged us to rethink ways to help our residents to reconnect and rebuild. Recovery Comics came at the perfect time. The project was funded by Supporting People Provider's Innovation Fund and the residents and myself worked in collaboration with creative writing specialist Rachael Kelly and artist and comic book expert Jim Lavery.  This project was not easy as we had to navigate our way through constant lockdowns, social distancing and many technical difficulties.

The comic focuses on a resident's journey through Gray's Court and the highs and lows they face during this time from lack of confidence, peer pressure, family strain, to coping with quarantine.

Recovery Comics was such a rewarding project. I am so proud of everyone involved and what we have managed to achieve during this pandemic”.

We wish Zoe continued success as she pursues a role within Forensic Psychology.

To learn more about our one year paid placement programme visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/psy/PsychologyatWork/WorkPlacementswithPsychology/