ABOUT US
Frankly, we do
give a damn
DOLLY was founded to better support mental health in the creative sector workplace.
Jude Spencer
Jude is an internationally accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Resilience Trainer and Consultant working for clients such as National Film and Television School, Screenskills and PACT to help improve mental health awareness in the industry and empower individuals and companies to support their own and each other's mental health better.
With over a decade’s experience in Film and TV, working for broadcasters such as BBC as well as independent production companies, Jude understands the unique challenges and pressures that come from working in the creative sector. Jude tailors her courses to address these specific challenges, making them relevant and bespoke to the companies and individuals she trains. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, Jude set up The Daily Cuppa, an online group where people in the industry can connect, share personal challenges, and support each other. Jude is also a Co-Director for 6ft From the Spotlight, a CIC campaigning for meaningful change in the industry including promoting the use of a Wellbeing Facilitator on productions.
Jude has been a qualified Samaritans listener for over seven years, supporting those in distress on the phone, via email, via text message and face to face. She has also been involved in recruiting, training and mentoring new Samaritans volunteers, sharing her knowledge and experiences.
Jude continues to expand her skills and knowledge by undertaking regular CPD courses such as Cruse Loss and Bereavement Awareness , Postvention: Assisting those Bereaved by Suicide (PABBS) Training, SWL Suicide Prevention Training - safeTALK, Hearing Voices: Working with Psychosis Training, Motivational Interviewing, and Providing Remote Mental Health Support, to name a few.
Stuart McNicholas
Stuart McNicholas is an experienced Mental Health First Aid trainer who has designed and delivered mental health and wellbeing courses for a number of organisations.
His background is in Human Resources and he has worked in several sectors, including the University of the Arts London and regional press. He first got interested in mental health when he started volunteering as a Samaritan, and he is now a listening volunteer and a member of the training team of Central London Samaritans. This led to exploring how mental health and wellbeing can be supported in the workplace and mental health first aid.
Matt Longley
Matt is an approved i-act Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Well-being instructor who co-founded 6ft from the Spotlight in 2017. The i-act course is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Matt has provided health and safety consultancy for LW Theatres, Royal Opera House and ENO. He has also worked in Film and TV and is currently acting as a Wellbeing Facilitator on a BFI funded production.
Lucy Adams
Lucy is an accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, qualified in Suicide First Aid and a skilled mental health trainer. Lucy spent six years working for leading Mental Health Charity Mind, most recently as Training and Development Manager, where she developed and delivered a portfolio of innovative training packages and materials for both schools and businesses.
Prior to that Lucy had a twenty year career in TV & Media and now works as a Wellbeing Consultant supporting Production Companies to proactively address and respond to stress and mental health issues in the workplace.
Davey Shields
Davey Shields is Mental health campaigner, trainer and the founder of MenTalkHealth. A charity that aims to provide Mental Healthfirst Aid training to community and industry groups where suicide is more prevalent.
After sharing his own lived experience to help others seek help when needed, he now works to increase mental health literacy for all and is a frequent contributor to articles, podcasts and public events to affect change towards mental health stigma. With over 10 years working in TV & Film Sector, he works as Wellbeing Facilitator to the industry and delivers Mental Health First Aid training alongside being an I-Act Instructor and creator of industry specific content.
ros homan
Ros is an experienced Mental Health First Aid Trainer and a longstanding advocate of mental health awareness. She works with national charity Rethink, consulting on communications, marketing and campaigns, and volunteers as a crisis councillor with 24/7 text helpline Shout.
Alongside mental health work, Ros has a background in TV as a freelance producer and developer of science and medical documentaries. This has given her a deep understanding of the specific stresses on film and TV industry workers, and a commitment to improve action on mental wellbeing for all.
LISA BALDERSON
Lisa is a CIPD qualified HR Consultant, providing freelance support to Film and TV Indies, with the aim of helping transform industry working practices for the better.
With more than 15 years' experience in Film and TV in various roles; Lisa has experience of HR from both sides, including within a production environment, and is extremely familiar with the culture of these industries and how they work. This experience provides a unique and valuable perspective when dealing with HR challenges in creative environments.
Lisa has previously worked for organisations such as; BAFTA; BFI (including the London Film Festival/BFI Flare and TV Programming dept.); BBC; and Lion Television. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider, CPD accredited i-ACT Manager - for positive mental health and WELLbeing, and 6ft From CIC trained Wellbeing Facilitator.
monika frise
Monika is an associate trainer as well as running the Dolly’s Daily Cuppa catch ups online and Mental Health First Aid Tasters with Screen Skills.
With 5 years’ experience in working in Fact Ent TV, Monika knows the ups and downs of the industry. Alongside her work at Dolly, she is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider and has recently completed training in Multicultural Listening Skills. Monika is currently in her second year of Psychotherapy training.
OUR Clients
We’ve worked with a range of clients across the creative and professional sector, including:
Film and TV Charity
Stella McCartney
The Brit List
National Film & Television School
Screenskills
Edinburgh TV Festival
PACT
Arrow Media
Box to Box Films
BFI Network
The Line Animation
Locksmith Animation
Dot to Dot
Endomol Shine
The Children’s Media Conference
The Southbank Centre
Molinare