The Team

I was born and brought up in Middlesbrough. My interest in mental health is routed in my personal experience in my adolescence.

I trained as a Probation Officer and worked as a probation officer for about 15 years, until I retired from this work in 2007. Since then I’ve worked as an independent Social Worker with an interest in safeguarding, adoption and mental health. Working in women’s prisons, supporting women with mental health difficulties, really increased my interest in empowering vulnerable women with enduring mental health problems and resettlement of women from prisons and hospitals into the community.

I have been a trustee for over 7 years. It’s a really committed team, including trustees, staff and volunteers, and it’s a privilege to be associated with and able to contribute to the Charity.

Becoming a Trustee of Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind was an opportunity to be involved in something a little different, to try to use my knowledge and experience for the benefit of others and thereby ‘give something back’.

To date I am fortunate enough to have very little personal experience of mental health problems and at the time of joining had little knowledge of the implications of mental health issues and the impact they have. I am now aware how wide ranging these problems are and of the value of providing support to those directly and indirectly affected.

During my time as Trustee I have seen Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind grow significantly to become a large and well respected organisation and it is satisfying to be associated with it and to witness the fantastic support the staff and volunteers provide to the local community.

Apart from my three years at University, I have lived in Redcar all my life and have been a Boro season ticket holder for most of that time. I also enjoy most other sports and travelling with my wife Chris mostly to France and Spain. We have two adult children (Paul and Kristen).

I have been a trustee at Mind since 2015, although my involvement in mental health stretches as far back as the mid 90's. For many years l worked within the voluntary sector for a mental health charity and witnessed the day to day struggle many service users had in accessing services and facing stigma of this unseen illness. Also the frustrations and uncertainty faced by charity's like Mind due lack of resource, lack of recognition for the job they do and funding.

Although times are changing, here at Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind, our team consistently strive to provide and develop the best services possible working towards reducing stigma and breaking down barriers that surround mental ill health there is still a long way to go. I am honoured to be part of a team of such dedicated people.

I have lived in Middlesbrough all my life and have 3 grown up sons and a grandson which keep me busy. I also a enjoy dog walking, socialising with my family and friends and love to read. I currently work at the local hospital as a midwife where my knowledge and experience of mental ill health continues to play a large part of my job.

I have been a trustee of Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind since January 2011. I have had limited personal experience of mental health issues but have always felt that mental health and well-being were insufficiently recognised or supported. I am therefore keen to support the worthwhile work of Mind.

I have worked in senior marketing roles since 2000. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and achieved Chartered Marketer status in July 2011.

Since coming to the North East in 2002 and meeting my wife, I now class myself as an honorary Northerner. I enjoy spending time with my family but now and again indulge in my own hobbies including running, surfing, playing piano, guitar and drums and even a bit of plastering.

I have been a trustee of Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind since November 2014 and come from a background of working in the public health and voluntary sector at a senior level.

My interest in getting involved with Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind comes from personal experience of a family suicide and the impact that had. I was therefore keen to support the work of Mind by becoming a trustee.

Being from the North-East, my interests obviously include football and in my case that involves following the fortunes of Sunderland AFC. I also enjoy horseracing and travelling.

I've worked in the Adult Social Care sector for 15 years and worked with people suffering from severe mental illness, at very difficult times in their lives.

Throughout my professional career I was committed to working with people with mental health needs and their families in order to help them make meaningful change in their lives. For many years I was a Relate Counsellor.

Since retiring, I have worked with Charitable Trusts and Community Interest Companies such as Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind as a volunteer Trustee and/or Director.

I am also a committed member of the Anglican Church, and take my Christian faith very seriously. 

I've been married for 52 years, have four adult married sons, and seven grandchildren. My hobbies include gardening, reading, studying classical literature and social history and spending time in the countryside when time allows. Challenging trips abroad get fitted in as well!

I wanted to be a trustee for Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind because as a local GP with over twenty years experience, I have a particular interest in mental health.

I was very aware that there are so many people who suffer with mental health problems. Their needs are not always met and the voluntary sector makes an important contribution to helping and supporting them in a variety of different ways. I am always impressed with the positive, creative and enthusiastic approach of the staff here at Mind.

I have two grown up sons and enjoy keeping fit by running and going for walks with my husband and our dog. I also like to garden and to travel.

I joined the Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind trading company in October 2010, and then the board of trustees of the Charity in October 2011.

My interest in mental health stems from some personal experience of how the tragedy of suicide affects family and friends. From working in the NHS for most of my career, I know how poor mental health and mental illness affects so many people and has an impact on so many aspects of their lives.

I like being out on my bike, walking the dog and gardening despite keeping hens. I enjoy dressmaking, free machine sewing and textiles, and cryptic crosswords. Recently I have started and really enjoy painting in water colours.

I was delighted to have been invited to join as a trustee of Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind in 2016.

I am a qualified solicitor practicing dispute resolution at a local law firm. I grew up locally and returned to the area after university.

Mental Health awareness and support is so important and organisations like Mind are vital. I hope to be able to contribute to Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind so they are able to continue to provide these essential services for the benefit of the local community.

I joined the board of trustees as a member in 2016.

I have personal experiences of the way in which mental health problems can impact on the lives of the people with the difficulties and the wider network of people around them. I feel Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind is consistently operating for the service users and the community adapting to meet the increasing and varied needs of the people it serves. I am very privileged to be able to contribute to supporting such a worthwhile charity.

I am currently training a personal assistance dog and renovating a house, but in my spare time I enjoy board games, archery and sewing crafts.