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Who we are: John Preston

 
 

John Preston
Professional background
John Preston trained as a psychiatric nurse, transferring on qualification to health social work.
On completion of his social work training he was appointed psychiatric social worker at Dingleton Hospital, Melrose, Scotland, a unit renowned for its pioneer work in the field of community psychiatry. Work with most patients involved family therapy within a multi-disciplined context. After two years at the hospital, John was appointed Social Work Manager.


Leaving Dingleton, John worked for Gloucestershire Social Services Department in a variety of senior posts, including mental health, learning difficulty, childcare and juvenile justice.

In 1979, he was appointed Principal Social Worker/Manager with the emergency duty team (out of hours service). He also worked part-time at Stroud College as a tutor to the Social Care Course.

John left employment with the County Council in order to ordain as a monk at a Buddhist meditation monastery. Here, he eventually taught meditation to individuals on retreat. He also lectured at the monastery, to groups established in London and Oxford and at schools and colleges in the locality.

In 1995, after five years as a monk, he returned to lay-life and now teaches meditation as an entirely secular practice, providing participants with an effective tool for dealing with stress and increasing personal well-being. He teaches at Universities, Adult Residential Colleges and Colleges of Further Education. His courses are also provided at several doctor’s surgeries and for a range of employers as part of their staff support programmes.

Professional qualifications:

  • Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)
  • Registered Mental Nurse
  • Further Education Teachers Certificate (FETC)