About the staff
Wendy Simpson, Institute Manager
Dr Wendy Simpson is a co-founder of Playfield Institute. Based at the Institute, Wendy is a health psychologist working for NHS Fife, Department of Public Health. She has a PhD in health psychology, several years experience in health services research and an honorary lectureship at the Medical School of St Andrews University.
E-mail: w.simpson@nhs.net
Abby Stephenson, Institute Co-ordinator
Abby's main role is to take the lead in developing and administering the Institute’s training programme covering a wide range of topics, with the aim of supporting workers in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Abby is the first point of contact for all visitors to the Institute. Abby contributes to the research programme within the Institute and she is also responsible for workforce and waiting times information within CAMHS. Abby's background is in psychology and she worked on the HandsOnScotland website. More recently she has been Management Secretary for CAMHS.
E-mail: abbystephenson@nhs.net
Julia Neufeind, Researcher
Dr Julia Neufeind holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. Julia has taught at the University up to Masters level, in the subjects of psychology, research methodology and statistics. She has several years of experience in conducting research and her main focus revolves around interventions for vulnerable populations.
E-mail: Julia.Neufeind@nhs.net
Emma George, Researcher
Emma is involved in various projects at the Institute, including the ongoing collection of data on CAMHS clinical outcomes and service. She also helped develop the HandsOnScotland website. Emma has a degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology and has research experience from the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University in Canberra.
E-mail: emmageorge@nhs.net
Jodie Nield, Honorary Research Assistant
Jodie is a volunteer at the Institute, and provides support to all areas of research.
E-mail: jodienield@nhs.net
Graham Buchanan is currently on secondment to the position of Acting Clinical Services Manager for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service). E-mail: grahambuchanan@nhs.net