About Simon

Consistently well regarded by colleagues and collaborators I have a drive to work with people and evidence to realise social change. I bring extensive experience of the commissioning, design, delivery, and management of social and health research and evaluation.

I love communicating ideas and learning to diverse audiences and have spoken at various international events. I have a record of knowledge exchange and using evidence and lived experience to influence policy and social change. With a PhD in mental health research from Lancaster University, I have designed and delivered teaching at leading Universities and am internationally recognised as an expert in mental health recovery and peer and lived experience approaches.

Work experience

Matter of Focus: May 2021 – June 2024
Principal Evaluation Consultant: Playing a lead role in developing the business by leading theory-based evaluation services with public and third sector clients, supporting a consultancy team, developing our core software and identifying new client leads and opportunities.

University of Glasgow: April 2016–April 2021
Initially Research Fellow and Trial Manager when responsible for all aspects of the management and delivery of the EMPOWER international research study. Subsequently Lecturer in Digital Health Interventions in which I developed and led a new MSc in Digital Health while continuing to develop research interests.

NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland: Jan 2020 – Aug 2023
Scottish Health Council Member (paid position): Overseeing and contributing to statutory and wider duties of HIS Community Engagement, including patient and public engagement nationally and quality of engagement within wider HIS.

Scottish Recovery Network: May 2004 – April 2016
Led the development of the Network from its launch to being internationally recognised as a model of good practice in mental health recovery. Influenced mental health policy and professional education and led development of the Scottish Recovery Indicator tool, innovative narrative research work and key role in developing peer support approaches.

Previous roles:

• Abertay University: (2014 – 2015): Visiting Senior Lecturer

• SAMH (2001 - 2004): Policy and Information Manager.

• Glasgow Council for Single Homelessness (1997 - 2000): Development Worker (Monitoring).

• Bridges Project (1995 - 1997): Information Resource Worker

Publications

I have contributed to or led over 30 peer reviewed publications. For a full list see Orcid. Examples include:

Slade, M., …Bradstreet, S. et al. 2024. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of online recorded recovery narratives in improving quality of life for people with non-psychotic mental health problems: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. World Psychiatry, 23(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21176

Kotera, Y., …Bradstreet, S. et al. 2023. Typology of Mental Health Peer Support Work Components: Systematised Review and Expert Consultation. Int J Ment Health Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01126-7

Gumley, A. I., Bradstreet, S. et al. 2022. Digital smartphone intervention to recognise and manage early warning signs in schizophrenia to prevent relapse : the EMPOWER feasibility cluster RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 26(27). https://doi.org/10.3310/HLZE0479

Bradstreet, S., Allan, S. & Gumley, A., 2019. Adverse event monitoring in mHealth for psychosis interventions provides an important opportunity for learning. Journal of Mental Health, 28(5), pp.461–466.

Bradstreet, S., Dodd, A. & Jones, S., 2018. Internalised stigma in mental health: an investigation of the role of attachment style. Psychiatry Research, 270, pp.1001–1009Y

I have also contributed extensively to training and learning materials and to books, which have been disseminated and used internationally.