Theo Stickley trained in counselling and mental health nursing, and practised in both professions for many years. He now teaches mental health at the University of Nottingham and has published widely in the nursing and mental health press. The focus of his research is mental health and the arts, and he has led on a number of research projects in collaboration with people who use mental health services. Theo is a keen gardener, motorcyclist and artist (but has not yet found a way to combine all three simultaneously). Thurstine Basset trained as social worker and worked as a community worker and social work practitioner, mostly in the mental health field. he is now an independent training and development consultant and runs his own company, which is based in Brighton. He works for national voluntary agencies, such as Mind, together and the Mental Health Foundation. With the Richmond Fellowship, he is the joint course leader for its Diploma in Community Mental Health, which is accredited by Middlesex University. He is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Brighton. He has written mental health learning materials, many of which are published by Pavilion Publishing, with which he works in an advisory role. He likes to walk and watch cricket.