My name is Kelly Mattison, and I am a freelance journalist based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. My articles have been published in The Guardian, York Press, Mancunian Matters, Big Issue North, Big Issue Scotland, and Young minds magazine.
I have interviewed celebrities including singer and television personality Alesha Dixon, Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Coronation Street stars Bruce Jones and Sally Lindsay, BBC presenter Ashley John-Baptiste, and Calum Best, only child of footballing legend George Best.
Before I worked as a paid journalist I worked voluntarily for a year for an online magazine where I was the assistant editor. I researched and wrote articles on self-harm, male body dysmorphic disorder, social phobia, low self-esteem, depression, changing negative thought processes and cognitive behaviour therapy.
I have researched for a BBC documentary about domestic violence, and I provided case studies for the film of male perpetrators of domestic violence who I interviewed for an article for Big Issue North.
I have researched for a documentary on young men and mental health. Following my research, I wrote an article to highlight mental health problems young men face. I examined how these problems often surface as issues such as addiction and criminal behaviour.
I am passionate about raising awareness about individuals becoming institutionalised after completing long-term and short-term prison sentences. I am interested in how the prison experience can grow on someone until it is the only life they know. I am also fascinated by how offenders can begin to rely on the institution of the prison itself simply to remain who they are and because of this I have written various articles about prisoners, offenders and ex-offenders.