Service Users Forum: Help shape our services by joining our service user forum and let us know how we can improve - Find out more
Service Users Forum: Help shape our services by joining our service user forum and let us know how we can improve - Find out more
Meet the senior leaders promoting trust and confidence through excellence.
Sally joins the organisation after 15 years at the YMCA as Development Director. Whilst at the YMCA, Sally championed the needs of the local communities, developing new services and facilities to ensure local children, young people and families can connect with others, access relevant programmes and realise their potential.
Sue has over 30 years' experience of developing and leading mental health services in local and national voluntary sector organisations, with a brief spell in a local authority social services department.
Sue joined Solent Mind in January 2015 as our first Head of Peer Support, and has been Director of Services since July 2017. Sue draws on both her professional experience and her personal experience of living with a long-term mental health diagnosis, in order to strengthen and improve all our services and support.
Debbie has over 30 years’ experience working within Human Resources, spending the last 20 years in the not-for-profit sector. She has a MA in Strategic HR Management and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Debbie is responsible for the creation and implementation of our People & Organisation Development Strategy. Outside of work Debbie enjoys creative writing which she finds helpful to her own wellbeing.
Neil has over 20 years’ experience working in the charity sector as a Finance and IT Director. He manages Solent Support Solutions, a not-for-profit organisation, founded by Solent Mind and The Rose Road Association. Solent Support Solutions provides Finance and IT services to both charities, In addition to supporting a number of small charities and community organisations In the Hampshire area.
As a member of Solent Mind's senior management team, Neil ensures that the appropriate vision and processes are in place to ensure the long term financial viability of the charity. He also contributes to the charity’s strategy and planning together with providing sound financial advice to Trustees and Senior Management. Neil has a passion for adventure, motorbiking and rugby.
Clare has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, and originally joined Solent Mind as a Peer Support Worker in 2015 drawing on her own lived experience to develop opportunities for people with mental health issues to support one another.
In her current role as Assistant Director of Services she oversees a number of our services, ensuring ongoing development and alignment with our values. As a mum of 4 and Nan to a young grandchild most of her time away from work is spent with family, who all enjoy being outside and making the most of the local area in Southampton.
Debbie has worked in the private and public sector for over 30 years working in a number of business sectors. After a career break, Debbie joined Solent Mind in September 2021 hoping to use her experience as an Executive Assistant at Senior Management Team and Board level to use within the current role.
In her current role as Executive Assistant she helps to oversee the Solent Mind Board meetings; Mayfield Nurseries Board meetings; People & Quality sub-committee meetings; Finance Information Risk & Compliance sub-committee meetings; Business Development sub-committee meetings; Leadership Management meetings; Senior Management Team meetings along with extensive work for the CEO of Solent Mind. As a Mum of 2, enjoy spending time outside of work with family, walking the dog in the New Forest area.
Linked area: Oversight of all areas.Email: JWilderspin@solentmind.org.ukJohn is a leadership coach and independent consultant working in the health and care sector. He previously worked in the NHS running hospitals, community services and commissioning organisations, and leading a number of national programmes. He has a particular interest in partnership working; ensuring that different organisations work together to provide excellent, integrated services for the people they serve. He is a member of the Governing Board of Treloars, a Hampshire charity which runs a school and college for profoundly disabled young people. “I know the impact that mental ill-health can have, from my professional life, but also from personal experience. I am looking forward to working with colleagues in Solent Mind to make a positive difference to people with mental health issues. I really like the way that Solent Mind uses the skills and insights of people with experience of mental ill-health to deliver services and provide practical support, and how it works with other organisations to deliver a personalised, integrated service” |
Additional Role: Chair of the Finance, Information, Risk and Compliance subcommittee, Treasurer of Mayfield Nurseries
Email: RGoater@solentmind.org.uk
Robin was born in Southampton and lived in Hampshire until leaving university. He then worked as an accountant in local government for many years within West Yorkshire, with the last two roles as Chief Accountant in Calderdale then Kirklees Councils.
After moving to Birmingham he worked in the Charity Sector including as Finance Director at Birmingham Mind.
After moving back to Hampshire, he is now using his financial skills and experience in volunteer and trustee roles across a number of charities in Winchester, Hampshire and beyond, including our social enterprise project, Mayfield Nurseries.
Email: RPullen@solentmind.org.uk
Richard has over 35 years’ experience in commercial property having qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1982. He was a founding Director of Palmer Fry Commercial Property Consultants, leading a management buy-out of a business from Royal Insurance. He was Finance Director and Lead Director of the business, involved with the acquisition of four businesses and the eventual merger of the business with the larger Goadsby & Harding Group in 2005 where he was Director of Investments.
He has run his own commercial property consultancy, Pullen Associates for over 10 years, which specialises in providing regional consultancy and agency services to pension funds, property companies, private individuals and occupying businesses. For about 10 years until 2020, he was a trustee of Mayfield Nurseries, during which time he was Chair of the Trustees.
Workstream: Campaigning & Influencing
Email: RPoyner@solentmind.org.uk
Additional role: Chair of the Business Development Subcommittee
Email: HShakoor@solentmind.org.uk
Haseeb is a Senior Commercial Manager currently working for NATS. He grew up in the Greater Manchester area, before studying Aerospace Engineering at Sheffield University. Since leaving university Haseeb has worked for several companies in the Aerospace & Engineering industry with a primary focus on business development and competitive tendering processes.
He takes a keen interest in mental health issues with personal experience of the impact it can have on lives. Haseeb is pleased to be given the opportunity to support Solent Mind as a trustee and is looking forward to working with colleagues to help raise awareness and make a positive impact on people living with mental health issues. Haseeb now lives in Whiteley with his wife and 2 young children.
Additional Roles: Chair of the People & Quality Subcommittee, Safeguarding lead
Email: GGeorge@solentmind.org.uk
Gareth has been a Police Officer for 28 years, starting his career with Hampshire Constabulary. He has worked in various roles as a detective and witnessed the impact mental health and wellbeing has within the emergency services and criminal justice system. 15 years ago, Gareth transferred to national organisations; the National Crime Squad, Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Gareth is currently a Branch Commander for CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection). CEOP is the UK's lead organisation dedicated to tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation. Gareth has always been a strong advocate for the awareness of mental health and is honoured to support Solent Mind.
Email: DVine@solentmind.org.uk
Denise has worked in local government for over 30 years, mostly in supporting economic development. She has been involved in many major regeneration projects and exciting new developments. In her current role, as Group Head of Economy at Arun District Council, she is responsible for business, town centre & tourism support, development implementation of major regeneration projects, securing external funding and maintaining strategic partnerships.
She has led on the delivery of publicly funded employment programmes to help those facing the greatest barriers to work. She is aware of how important employment is to maintaining self-esteem and good mental health. Due to close family caring responsibilities, Denise also has an extensive understanding of the mental health system and the availability of appropriate care. It is this personal lived experience that has prompted Denise to join Solent Mind and to support them to provide ever better services to the community.
Email: LRobins@solentmind.org.uk
Lucy is a chartered surveyor and spent the first half of her career working on planning and development projects throughout the UK, initially for commercial and local authority clients and later for the Ministry of Defence. She then spent 16 years working in boarding schools, which were also charities, where she managed the finances and a wide range of estate and infrastructure projects as well as leading support services and commercial operations. Having led large teams, Lucy understands the importance of employee wellbeing, believing a supportive culture is vital to an organisation’s success. She is delighted to be able to use her skills and experience to support Solent Mind
Email: SWickes@solentmind.org.uk
Simon is Chief Operating Officer at Truu, a digital health start-up; and founded Cynapse, a boutique business consultancy advising in business strategy and innovation across SMEs and multinationals. He is also a Non-Executive Director at an NHS GP Federation in Surrey.
He grew up in the Solent region and returned to the area just over ten years ago. Since returning he has been involved with several charities and fundraising activities and coaching youth rugby at a local rugby club.
Simon has personal experience of how important mental health is and its impact on the lives of individuals and their loved ones. He is excited to help raise awareness of the importance of mental health across the region.
Email: SReeves@solentmind.org.uk
Born and educated in Hampshire, Simon is the head of communications at a national youth charity. He holds a degree in media writing and journalism from Southampton Solent University and is currently studying to become a qualified journalist with the NCTJ.
Simon has lived experience of mental health issues and is passionate about enabling others navigate through difficult times.
Simon is a volunteer for humanitarian aid charity ShelterBox and is also a trainee mountain leader. He is passionate about social equality, youth empowerment, fitness and the great outdoors.
Email: FQuayle@solentmind.org.uk
Fay has over 30 years communications, PR and marketing experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors. She has a postgrad certificate in strategic communications, gained whilst being an end of life carer.
Fay launched her own PR company in 2011, spending the last 10 years working freelance. In 2020 she joined the NHS as the first Head of Communications for their new People Directorate supporting all 1.3m staff. She is an active member of the Chartered Institute of PR, the Institute of Directors (Hampshire) and Women on Board.
When not working, Fay has a large wildlife garden where she spends time practising mindfulness to support her own mental health.
Additional Role: Chair of the Finance, Information, Risk and Compliance subcommittee
Email: RGoater@solentmind.org.uk
Robin was born in Southampton and lived in Hampshire until leaving university. He then worked as an accountant in local government for many years within West Yorkshire, with the last two roles as Chief Accountant in Calderdale then Kirklees Councils.
After moving to Birmingham he worked in the Charity Sector including as Finance Director at Birmingham Mind.
After moving back to Hampshire, he is now using his financial skills and experience in volunteer and trustee roles across a number of charities in Winchester, Hampshire and beyond, including our social enterprise project, Mayfield Nurseries.
Email: DCarroll@solentmind.org.uk
Debbie Carroll is a garden designer with a passion for nature and understands the role of gardens in supporting well-being. She is experienced in designing gardens for both domestic settings and within care environments. Her experience in designing for care settings lead to an extensive research project to understand what makes for meaningful and active engagement outside for residents living in care, particularly for those living with dementia. Living locally to Mayfield Nurseries she has supported their work for many years in a range of ways though personally she loves nothing better than an excuse to pop in for a chat and to shop for plants for her own garden.
Email: EMcNamara@solentmind.org.uk
Emma has 25 years of experience in the horticulture industry, working in various roles, from college tutor, garden designer to apprentice coordinator, and is passionate about people, plants, and places that connect these elements.
With a BSc IN Horticulture and Masters in Heritage garden conservation, Emma is currently working as the gardens and parks consultant for the London and South East region of the National Trust. The role covers working with and in heritage gardens and opening these historic gardens to the public.
Emma is an avid supporter of all levels of gardener/gardening and advocates for improving well-being by working in all aspects of gardening and recognising the power of horticulture, working outdoors, and in Nature as a tool to improve mental health.
She lives in Salisbury, Wiltshire and spends any spare time looking after her garden or doing Yoga as well as completing the final stages of her PhD with the university of Southampton.
Email: ARahman@solentmind.org.uk
Aysha is an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Adviser at the University of Southampton. She has worked in a variety of work areas, including education, youth justice, charity, and voluntary organisations. She played a key role in the University's success in becoming the first University to achieve Disability Confident Leader status and renewing it. Aysha has a very strong interest in disability equality, in particular "hidden disabilities". She believes that we can all make a difference in breaking the stigma attached to mental health which prevents people from seeking help early on. She has personal experience and supports family members and friends with their mental health and wellbeing. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going for long walks and gardening.
Email: SGreenhalgh@solentmind.org.uk
Currently studying for a Psychology Degree with The Open University, alongside her role in mental health, Sarah is passionate about the benefits of gardening to our wellbeing.
Sarah has joined Mayfield to contribute to her local community and build on previous voluntary work undertaken in London. This included: working with vulnerable adults to help them get into work; gardening at Spitalfields City Farm and as a Friend of Mabley Green, which involved gardening and making decisions for facility users.
As a prior business owner, she has proven skills in marketing and implementing business plans. She also has a fashion retail background, with extensive knowledge of compiling commercial ranges and how to target specific consumers.She has spent two months volunteering in the Amazon rainforest, at a conservation site. This gave an invaluable insight into ecosystems and how humans affect their environment. Her other volunteer position involves her dog, who is a registered Pets as Therapy dog. Bella has been vetted to go onto hospital wards to give patients the calming presence of an animal, which has proven positive effects on mental health.
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