If you’re struggling, please call for our counselling service
07545 373 413

WHO ARE PORTADOWN WELLNESS CENTRE?

WE ARE A DEDICATED TEAM.  Made up of warm and professional people, who value our community and your wellbeing. These are good people who genuinely care, with their own life experience to draw on and the skills to help you.

OUR PROFESSIONAL THERAPISTS

We have a dedicated professional, therapeutic counselling team of qualified therapists and a professional reflexologist on site. They are experienced, understanding, highly skilled and ready to help.

LAUREN ARLOW

SOLUTION FOCUSED HYPNOTHERAPY

After years of suffering with extreme anxiety and a period of deep depression she sought help through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) and it changed everything. SFH helped her turn her life round and create significant, positive change in a very short period of time.

Lauren was so fascinated by the power of hypnotherapy that she trained to become a Clinical Hypnotherapist with the Clifton Practice in Belfast, a recognised Centre of excellence for hypnotherapy and is now registered with the Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists and the National Council for Hypnotherapy.

LEANNE MCALARNEY

CHILDREN'S PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

Leanne has over 16 years clinical experience as a Social Worker, Therapeutic Senior Practitioner and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor working within the field of Safeguarding, Fostering and Adoption, Bereavement and loss and self-harm/suicide.

She is trained in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Jungian Sand Tray Therapy amongst other trainings.

AMANDA DONOGUE

REFLEXOLOGY

Amanda holds a diploma in Practitioner’s Reflexology and a diploma in Colour Reflexology. Amanda is also a Reiki Practitioner and is a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists.

OUR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

Our team of experienced counsellors have many years experience helping many people with a wide range of issues including anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, relationship problems, anger and low self-esteem and low self-confidence.

We offer one to one counselling to all ages over 18.

OUR TALENTED TUTORS

Our activity facilitators are an exceptional team, they support our participants to achieve and develop new skills with patience, compassion and encouragement..

DWYER MCKERR

ART

An artist and arts facilitator from Lurgan, Co Armagh, Dwyer spent his early working life drawing & sand-etching in a stained glass studio. After graduting with a fine & applied art degree in 2007 he joined the North Armagh Artists Collective and also began to teach his first art classes. He now teaches three regular classes and facilitates many other projects for community and social groups. He also exhibits as a solo artist, with collaborative partners and with Shore Collective of which he is also the current chairperson.

EMILY PENTLAND

SEWING & INTERIOR DESIGN

Emily has a City & Guilds 1 & 2 qualification and a diploma in soft furnishings which is the making of curtains, cushions, roman blinds etc. She has been doing this for 25 years. Initially it was a hobby sewing on her days off and at weekends. She then took a leap of faith and started doing this full time and launched her own business “Curtains by Emily”. She loves visiting with her clients and helping make their house a home. This is dying skill and she is delighted to have the opportunity to pass on her skills and experience.

SAYON CHEUNG MULLIGAN
COOKERY & BAKING
YOGA

Sayon’s passion to promote a healthy lifestyle with Yoga and cooking food from scratch started at home. Her Cookery focus is on eating simple foods and creating recipes that anyone can use. She teaches general Hatha Yoga suitable for beginners and improvers. Her classes are designed to offer traditional Yoga to Centre, Breath Work, Physical; (Asanas) and to finish in a relaxed state of mind (Shavasano)
She enjoys finding the balance between her love of cooking and yoga

CIARA CAMPBELL-CRAWFORD
POTTERY & CERAMICS

Ciara has been a ceramic artist for almost 20 years. She works from a small studio near Banbridge creating one off pieces in clay, small batches of functional stoneware pottery and large scale ceramic murals.
She has a passion for sharing her craft through community arts and currently has 12 years experience in this field. Ciara’s workshops promote creativity to people of all skill levels and experience.

KATE NEILL

BAKING

Kate lives with her husband Geoff, Son Arthur and dog Fred and are currently embarking on a self build.

She has been baking for as long as she can remember and made her first wedding cake when she was 18. Kate established GingerNut cakes in May 2014 and since then she has lost count of how many wedding, christening and birthday cakes she has made.

Kate has also taught many Adult and children’s classes. When Kate is not baking she like to spend her time outside and experimenting in the kitchen.

WILLIAM MEGAW

WOODWORK

William is married with 3 beautiful young daughters. He grew up on a dairy farm just outside Hilltown, Co Down and has always loved hard work and working with his hands. He left school at 17 and attended SRC to learn joinery & carpentry and did his early apprenticeship.

At the young age of 21, William started his own business in carpentry and joinery and has never looked back.

He can turn his hand to manufacturing most things from wood, including garden furniture, planters and containers, birdhouses and nesting boxes to commercial joinery.

Rarely does William have to advertise, as the high quality of his work ensures many people seek his services.

William loves teaching beginners woodwork and joinery skills. His classes are available to both men and women, both young and old.

There is much chat over the tea break with many new friendships being fostered.

DEREK BLACK
WOODCARVING

ALAN ANDERSON 
WOODCARVING

ALAN MCDOWELL 
GARDENING & HORTICULTURE

"I decided to establish Portadown Wellness Centre in 2019 following my own experience of having mental ill health.

It is my belief that most mental ill health is caused by a trauma or a stress in a persons life. So, to find lasting wellness, we must address these in a safe, confidential environment with a professional counsellor.

Through the experience many of us become isolated, losing self-confidence and self-esteem.  So, we offer practical, therapeutic activities and  classes to boost self-belief and confidence and creates an ambience to meet new, supportive caring friends."

ALAN MCDOWEL, FOUNDER

MANAGEMENT TEAM

FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER - ALAN McDOWELL

Alan McDowell is the Centre Manager and provides an operational outlook to the Centre, drawing upon his background of over 40 years experience in the agricultural and horticulture sector.

Alan founded the Centre following his own personal experience of mental illness and the recovery process.  His experiences will help ensure that the Centre focuses on care, compassion, empowerment and quality.

Alan's passion is to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill health in Northern Ireland.  It is his belief that everybody experiencing emotional issues can make a positive and effective recovery with the right help and support.

Alan is a Manchester City supporter and also a life member of hi local rugby club.  

CHAIRMAN - GARY MCDONALD

Chairman of the Management Team at Portadown Wellness Centre is Gary McDonald.  Gary has had a career spanning more than 40 years in journalism across Northern Ireland.  He has been Business Editor of the Irish News since February 2000.

As for hobbies, he has played the bagpipes competitively since the age of 14.  The highlight of his musical career was performing at the Opening Ceremony of the World Special Olympics in Dublin in June 2003

LAUREN ARLOW

Lauren is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and runs our Solution Focused Hypnotherapy Clinic.  She trained with the Clifton Institute in Belfast, a recognised Centre of Excellence.

Lauren feels privileged to become a part of the Portadown Wellness Centre Team and to have the opportunity to support and provide others with the tools to take their power back and live a happier and more fulfilling life.

In her free time Lauren is interested in wellness and also enjoys travelling and meeting new people.

JIM CRUMMIE

Jim is very pleased to bring his experience  as a Director at board level in the public and private sector to  support the management of Portadown Wellness Centre.   With a particular focus on governance, audit  and accountability.  Jim sees a key part of his contribution is  to ensure that the important work undertaken by PWC is supported  by an engaged  management board.

Originally from Rathfriland Co Down, Jim is a strong supporter of volunteering in the community.  He is  currently involved as  Youth Convenor at City of Armagh Rugby Club.

NOEL MCQUAID

Noel is a marrried father of three and grandfather of two.

His varied career has included agriculture, horticulture, dairy, transport and he is currently employed in the distribution department of Almac.

Noel is passionate about sport played football for many years  for Rathfriland FC and Banbridge Town FC.  He is still involved in the local game helping out with coaching and also at committee level with Banbridge Town Juniors FC.

DWAIN TOLAND

Dwain has lived in the Craigavon Borough all his life. He is a father of four and the Manager at Airtastic Entertainment Centre.

Dwain is passionate about sport and is an avid Liverpool supporter.  Since moving to Craigavon, he has taken up a leading role in the community and has supported many projects and local school events.

CIARA CAMPBELL-CRAWFORD

Ciara is a full time ceramic artist and mother from Banbridge. She teaches community based art classes, focusing on relaxation, wellbeing and mental health. 

She really believes in the ethos of Portadown Wellness Centre and is committed to supporting our local community through her role.

In her free time she loves being in nature and the outdoors.