Stephen Leader

How did CLS get you ready for the work you do now?
City of London taught me the power of good teaching, to recognize and appreciate excellent teachers of structure and rigor. The classes I most fondly remember took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and kindness. Being treated as adults made all the difference when it came to learning. The work was hard, but I loved what I was being taught. CLS gave me a life-long love of learning which serves me well in the rapidly changing field of mental health.

Taking the Underground every day to get to school, took me out of my suburban comfort zone and unlocked my spirit of adventure.  After all, this is London! CLS gave me the courage to try new things: I joined the school’s Tuck Shop Theatre Technical Crew and found my community.

Community is key to my work as manager of a mental health wellness program where individuals are supported by staff who run groups and activities. We identify as peers and allies with our own mental health and substance use histories. Together, we build healthy relationships and community.

Visiting the school earlier this year was eye-opening. I was thrilled to discover CLS’s values were like ours at work.  The picture of the Progress Pride Flag flying above the school reminded me of our own home-made Rainbow Wall – a symbol of the inclusivity which defines my work.  Kindness underscores how we engage with each other and our clients. At times, I feel I’m headmaster, responsible for the well-being of the individuals I supervise.  The values I learnt at CLS I‘m proud to carry on at work.

What was your first job?
In the mid-1970s when I was about 15, I had a job as a Saturday boy in a Tandy RadioShack near my house in Hendon. I was paid the princely sum of £5 a day. Going up to the first floor,I would gaze longingly at the lines of glittering TRS-80 computers, their floppy disks humming and dot matrix printers grinding away. This was the future!

Thanks to the teachers who were passionate about such diverse subjects as Physics and English Literature, CLS helped me understand, embrace and harness that future.

Your biggest achievement since leaving CLS?
Returning to work after 25 years on disability. The commitment and dedication I learnt from school were instrumental in embracing the challenges of re-entering the workforce. However, instead of focusing on technology, I work with people I find incredibly stimulating and rewarding.

Your most challenging post CLS moment?
On December 27th 2007, I was arrested. The house of cards around which I built my life, the lies I told myself and my parents, all fell apart. I went into rehabilitation for substance use. It changed my life. That rigor and structure CLS had taught me helped me see my recovery as an opportunity for growth and reinvention. I learnt to take nothing for granted.

What inspires and motivates you in your work?
Seeing how clients and staff grow and thrive in their recovery and wellness. Life is challenging — especially for individuals who need a little extra support. Creating a space where folks find peace and community brings me joy.

One piece of advice for pupils and other Old Citizens about getting into your profession?
Be aware of what a privilege it is to attend CLS and be humble!

Pictured: A rainbow wall celebrating San Francisco women’s past, present and future at RAMS The Peer Wellness Centre in San Francisco.