North East of England Branch

The Branch officially came into being on 4 February 2003 when an open general meeting was held at York St John College to elect the committee and formally constitute our existence as part of the Society. The Branch has since worked tirelessly to promote the great work of Psychologists across the North East and to ensure Branch members have representation at all levels of the Society.

Our committee, which includes academic psychologists, practitioners and students, works to organise a range of events across the North East. Our Psychology in the Pub events have grown in frequency and popularity and our Annual Conference goes from strength to strength. The gradual expansion of the North East Branch Bulletin publication, which is sent out to all our members, is a great representation of the exciting work that’s going on across the North East.

If you’d like to contribute to the North East Branch Bulletin, have an idea for an event or you’d like to get involved with other Branch activities, please get in touch!

Chairs message
Show content

North East of England Branch (NEEB) Chair: Paul-John Griffiths CPsychol AFBPsS

I am extremely honoured to have been elected in to the position of Chair to the North East of England Branch of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I have been a member of the BPS initially as a Student Subscriber in the 1980’s, upon graduating - gaining Graduate Basis for Registration, through Chartership, to being admitted as an Associate Fellow in 2011; I additionally sit on the Special Group for Independent Practitioners Committee (SGIP) as an ordinary committee member.

Born in Birmingham in 1962, received a comprehensive education, after A ‘Levels, I passed an audition for Mountview Theatre School in London and decided to take a year out to gain life experience. That year became several years, and the experience in life provided an interest for human behaviour, civil rights, justice, rehabilitation and most importantly – reintegration. Since 1999, I have provided an independent psychological service to the criminal and civil justice systems in the UK and Isle of Man, alongside individual and group psychotherapy. My interests include working with serious and specific offenders, therapeutic communities, substance use, complex trauma, training and supervision.

Following the AGM held on the 8th December 2020, I would like thank immensely, Melanie Douglass for the dedication she has bestowed to the role as Chair for the previous two years and warmly welcome, two new committee members: Liam Myles and Ryan Maguire, who join a dedicated and experienced team representing their particular fields of applied psychology across the North East.

It was a privilege to sit on the subcommittee prior to the AGM to shortlist finalists for the NEEB Annual Awards. It was unfortunate that there were no submissions for the Public Engagement Award this year, but this may well be indicative of public gathering restrictions under ccovid-19. Grant McGeehan Committee Member & Editor of the North of England Bulletin, announced the winners of the two student Awards; the Undergraduate prize went to Charlotte James, and the Postgraduate prize to Jennifer Elliot, both submissions will appear in the 2021 Spring edition of the Bulletin – congratulations to you both.

During the post AGM open discussion with regional members, the following themes emerged: Support for assistant grades; Research interest groups; Forum to connect with other members; Student support & guidance; Annual conferences; Public psychology events; and access to publications in order to review. All ideas will be discussed by the committee in due course. The initial priority will be to update the NEEB Webpage, and connect with members.

Forward facing, we have a 4 point strategy for 2021 that embraces: Climate Change; Engaging and motivating students who have an interest in psychology from A 'Level to Post Graduate Studies; Supporting those members with Graduate Basis for Chartership in the earliest stage of their careers (especially those working within allied fields to mainstream psychology); finally, Reaching out to Psychologist at the 'coal face' who work either within established teams, or independently, and quite often in isolation.

Your BPS Region Needs You: If you are a psychologist at any stage of your career, and interested in contributing to the NEEB, and willing to work as a team for the benefit of regional membership; then we have a place for you on the committee. We are particularly seeking psychologist with an interest in Social Media, Finance and Organisational Skills, - remember the BPS has expertise in all areas to support the entire committee. Also, we seek Regional Representatives from BPS Divisions.

Interested? Then please contact me at [email protected] and let’s talk.

Seasonal Greetings and a Prosperous New Year,
Paul
Paul-John Griffiths (NEEB Chair)
December 2020
NEEB Chair

Chairs message