Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winners: Q&A with Caitlin Pinder

Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the all-new #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.

The Stonehage Fleming Collaboration winners work within their fields to help the island’s most vulnerable people, doing incredible things to serve those in need.

What is your name and age?

Caitlin Pinder, age 26.

Job title or role in the community?

Addictions counsellor at Motiv8 Addiction Services.

Tell us more about your work in the community?

I am employed as an addictions counsellor at Motiv8 Addiction Services. I support people with alcohol, drugs, gambling or gaming addictions. We work on a harm reduction model so we help people to reduce the harm that these addictions can cause to them. I work with the service users themselves, but I also work with the family members and friends who are impacted by the addiction.

Tell us a little bit more about your journey.

It’s taken a long time to get here, or what feels like a long time, but I’m only 26. I found a love for psychology, the brain and people in my A-levels in sixth form when I studied psychology. And that was the only topic I gravitated towards. I wasn’t really a successful student – I wasn’t good in all subjects. I just loved psychology. So from there I chose to get the A-levels I needed to go to Bangor University where I studied clinical and health psychology. I did well there and got a 2:1. I did a huge amount of work in the community and I worked on a ward. I delivered a fitness program on one ward where, as a project leader, I delivered classes of my own on how to speak publicly to build resilience and self-esteem in students as well.

From there I took a year out, lived across and just chilled for a little bit. And then I went back and I did my masters in clinical cognitive neuroscience at Sheffield Hallam. And then the pandemic hit and I moved home and finished my masters online.

That must take a real strength of mind and determination.

Yeah, it does. And a lot of it does come from personal experience. I’ve had my own experiences with mental health and addiction issues. So growing up through that you’ve got a bit more compassion and ability to connect and collaborate with people who are going through this because you’ve got the willingness to help. You care already because it’s ingrained. You’ve grown up with it.

How do you feel about being nominated for Gef’s 30 under 30?

I’m actually very excited to be recognised as a winner. It means a lot to me. I’ve been in university for six years now. I’ve been working for a long time. And to be recognized for that work and the work you do in the community is amazing. Being under 30 and in this field, I sometimes feel like I have imposter syndrome, and wonder ‘Am I good enough to be here’? So to be recognized really helps my own self-esteem.

Can you tell us a little bit more about CBT?

I am currently training as a cognitive behavioural therapist with Chester University. I’m working with high-intensity mental health problems on the island. The aim of that is to deliver an extra layer of support to Motiv8 to keep things in-house and to be able to deliver the best possible and tailored care to our clients. But in that, I’m also the youngest person on the course. I’ve been on the course for two years now. It’s been hard, it’s a grind, but hopefully, I will be accredited in October.

What’s your plan for the future?

The five-year plan was always to be an accredited therapist by the age of 30 and to be able to achieve that by 27 is really, really good for me. I think it’s something to be proud of.