26 August 2021

Teresa Wirz has been confirmed as CNWL’s new Head of Addictions.

In this role, she will work closely with Jeffrey Fehler, Clinical Director, and the Addictions senior management team, to lead and further develop CNWL’s Addictions directorate.

Jane Hannon, Diggory Managing Director said: “Many congratulations to Teresa Wirz who wowed both panels with her vision and energy and I look forward to welcoming her to the Diggory Divisional Board.”

Teresa has worked for CNWL since 2004 and in senior management roles from 2008 across both inner and outer London Boroughs and more recently Milton Keynes.

Since 2016 Teresa has been the CNWL Addictions Area Manager and has held a varied portfolio of services including Brent, Hackney, Milton Keynes HMP Woodhill Addictions, the Club Drug Clinic, plus several small contracts including homeless teams and UCLH Hospital Liaison.

Teresa has a wide variety of experience including bidding and mobilising new services, setting up innovative new projects with a passion and drive to promote peer support and service user involvement, especially the Strategic Service User Group (SSUG).

Teresa replaces Jody Lombardini-Coleman who sadly died earlier this year at the age of 42.

Teresa said: “Jody was a strong leader, a good colleague and a friend, who will be missed and remembered fondly. It is a real honour to take on this role and I intend to build upon her strong foundation and take CNWL addiction services on to their next chapter.

Teresa continued: “I’ve been working within addictions since 1997 and can honestly say I wouldn’t consider any other field.

“I love the variety, the people, the strong belief that people can recover.

“I’m not looking at making rapid changes; it’s a time of adjustment and important to maintain stability and support for our incredible staff and services as we emerge from the pandemic. We always want to make our services even better to enable the best care for the people we serve.”

Going forward Teresa has many ideas including being at the forefront of new developments and has a keen interest in staff support, mental health, peer-led recovery, partnership working and development of new models.

“I want all to know that I am immensely proud of our services, it’s a real honour to take on this role and that my door is always open,” she says.

Outside of work, Teresa enjoys spending time with family and friends travelling and weekends off exploring new things. She grew up sailing from a young age and is a foodie at heart. She is also very proud to be a Trustee Director for Outside Edge Theatre Company a charity working with clients in recovery from addictions.