Meet the team
Gary Rutherford: Founder / Programme Development Manager

Gary is a registered Mental Health Nurse, REP's Level 3 Qualified Personal Trainer and importantly - has been sober for over 8 years . Gary struggled with alcohol and drug abuse for the better part of 15 years. Getting and staying sober has enabled him to pursue a life of love, purpose and fulfillment and he is fortunate to be able to use those experiences to carry hope for other individuals and families who are actively struggling with addiction.
Sarah Rutherford: CBT Therapist / Community Event Organiser

Sarah is an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working in 2 local GP practices, a community counselling service and also in a private capacity. After almost a decade working within a CBT context, Sarah feels privileged to be a part of helping people work through their problems and thrive in life beyond their difficulties.
David McAnnaney: Mental Health Nurse / Coach
Edele Moore: Coach / Qualified Massage Therapist

Tori Donaghy: Counselling Student / ARC Admin Support

Tori is a second year counselling student at NorthWest Regional College and helps with the administration side of ARC, she can also be seen helping out at our social events. Tori has always had a special interest in the area of mental health and helping people navigate through the difficult times in their lives.
Ciaran Graham: Accredited Counsellor / Running Therapist

Ciaran is an accredited counsellor specialising in running therapy. He is sober for 12 years. Ciaran, in his practice, replaces the confines of the counselling room with the great outdoors where he counsels by way of walking or running therapy. He has vast experience in supporting people with issues including addiction, depression, low self esteem and anxiety.
Maggs Campbell: Personal Trainer / Mindfulness Coach

Maggs has been in the fitness industry for 16 years and has worked her way up from fitness instructor/group exercise instructor, to manager. She is passionate about people and fitness. I love to see someone develop from a complete beginner to becoming a regular at the gym and achieving their fitness goals.
Lee Curry: Peer Support Facilitator

Lee has been on his recovery journey from substance misuse since 2011. Lee has been sober from alcohol since Feb 2018 and practices complete abstinence with all mind altering substances. Lee is currently working towards his accredited facilitator training with SMART Recovery.
“I've wanted to be a part of ARC from my 1st coffee meeting with Gary long before ARC grew to where it is today. I've wanted to volunteer for a good cause for quite a while, but never found anything that fitted. The combination of fitness and recovery are two things very important in my own life personally, to be able to help others with these is perfect for what I've been searching for.”
Darren Henderson: Student Mental Health Nurse / Coach
Darren is a 2nd year mental health nursing student and has a wealth of training and coaching experience. For the past 15 years Darren has been involved in both training and coaching. Darren currently holds a Brazilian Jiujitsu Brown Belt and instructs both adults and children’s at Team Torres Derry. Darren is a true believer that both good physical and mental health are essential to a balanced life and recovery.
“What Gaz and the team are doing for the people of Derry is amazing. It is a privilege to come on board the ARC team and play a small part in helping people on their journey towards recovery. I am a true believer that physical and mental health go hand-in-hand, and I Look forward to using my knowledge to help people achieve their full potential”.
Kevin McGowan: Peer Support worker
Kevin attempted to complete the ARC programme in 2019 however illness and global pandemics prevented that. Kevin, now a programme graduate is a vocal advocate for recovery and brings great insight and compassion whilst working with others. Kevin is currently studying a psychology and counselling degree and has completed his Level 2 accreditation in Substance Misuse Awareness. He is always first to encourage and support whilst bringing some much needed lighted hearted humour to the mix.
"Having finally completed the programme I was able to see first-hand the great work being done by Gaz and the ARC team. It really is a pleasure and an honour to be asked to join the team and there wasn't a hope I would turn down that offer. It helps to have been through this journey so far and I want to use my experience in recovery to help others going through the same thing. Community is important in recovery, and the ARC community is second to none."
Warren Villa: Peer Support worker
Warren completed the ARC Programme in August, and now, as a programme graduate and advocate for recovery, brings his own unique experiences, insights and positivity to new members of the programme.
“Meeting Gary and the ARC team has been an absolute joy. From the minute I walked through the door of the gym I knew these were people I wanted to be around, so to be asked to be a part of the team and share my experiences and story with others has truly been one of the highlights of my life. This is important life changing work and I'm thrilled to be playing my part and helping people on their own journey into sober living.”
Jay Kiernan: Coach
Jay is a qualified Personal Trainer, fitness instructor and Spin instructor with over 2 years’ experience. He has a passion for fitness and its profound effect on the mind. He believes exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size, it has a positive effect on depression and anxiety. Jay has a heart and passion for raising awareness of the negative impact of addiction and poor mental health.
“I have been following Gaz and his team at ARC from the beginning so to be asked to join this inspiring group of people was both humbling and exciting. This approach to mental health and addiction is exactly what this city needs.”