Meet the Board of Trustees

Alvar G Thomas - Chairman "I have a comprehensive experience in all aspects of Mental Health and associated Service Provision, established over some forty years. My Managerial experienced is based upon exposure to Management Practice/Principles, honed over many years and consolidated again over a wide arena of scenarios at every level. I have been Chairman of Derbyshire Mind for some eight years and am privileged to be associated with such a forward thinking proactive Organisation. I feel we are only just starting our journey of 'rediscovery' in a backdrop of uncertainty and economic sanctions, but our collective determination will serve to see us weather this period of turmoil and open up new and exciting opportunities/challenges.” Contact details

Steve Wells - Treasurer I am a Chartered Certified Accountant in Practice as S J Wells and Co based in Oakwood and Spondon I qualified in 1970 and my practice started then. I have been a Trustee for over 10 years and enjoy the different role especially meeting and working with people outside my profession. Contact details

Susie Sykes Susie Sykes attended her first Derbyshire Mind Trustee meeting on the 9th February 2006 and was very impressed with the Organisation’s work and currently sits on several of the sub committees. She hopes that she will be able to contribute to the Organisation using the many and varied skills she has amassed over her career. Susie’s previous career includes working as the Assistant Director - Finance for a local charity, retail management for a major chain; driving instruction and nursing – a rather varied but interesting career path. Susie's main interest outside of work and friends is motor racing.

Stephen Edgeley Steve Edgeley has extensive experience both in clinical and senior management within the field of Mental Health and Learning Disability Services. His work has been predominately within the East Midlands but clinically he has worked in Europe and as a consultant on a National basis. Whilst he remains passionate regarding Nursing, he feels that his role as a Trustee with Derbyshire mind has given him a greater understanding of peoples needs and enhanced his role in Mental Health Care.

Natalie Pink Natalie Pink studied Sociology at the University of Nottingham, and has a background in mediation and restorative justice. She has experience of volunteering, and working and managing volunteers within the voluntary sector. Having moved to Derby in 2007, she has been keen to establish herself within the community, and to learn more about the services available in this field. Natalie’s current role as Case Manager for Nottingham Youth Offending Team, within the Intensive Supervision Team, involves working with some of the most high risk, vulnerable and complex young people, within a statutory framework. Many of these young people experience wide-ranging difficulties in relation to their emotional and mental health. Natalie became a Trustee for Derbyshire Mind in 2008. She hopes that working with Derbyshire Mind will enable her to continue both her professional and personal development, to build upon her understanding of mental health, work alongside an adult client group, and gain experience of working at a strategic level. She is keen to play an active role and encourage community involvement with Derbyshire Mind.

Maggie Mousley I came into mental health nursing by accident! I took a year out after school before going to college and one of the jobs I had was a nursing assistant in a mental health unit in Blackburn. I decided there and then this is what I wanted to pursue as a career! And 37 years later, I am still here. I have worked in all areas from acute mental health nursing, community, older people, substance misuse and in delivering training. I currently work as a lead for Dual Diagnosis (mental health and substance use) and also as the Clinical Risk Coordinator trainer. The focus of my interest is on delivering quality care to all who have need of our services and supporting the carers and significant others who are involved. I am also keen to raise public awareness around mental health and hopefully remove some of the stigma associated with mental illness. A lot of my interest lies in the Recovery Concept and helping people achieve a level of wellness that they themselves have identified. I became involved in Derbyshire MIND because they also aim to raise the awareness of mental health and remove stigma along with ensuring we value people as individuals and I hope my experience and wide varied knowledge base can support this a along with ensuring we value people as individuals and I hope my experience and wide varied knowledge base can support this

Simon Rose I became involved in Derbyshire Mind to try and make sure, as someone who has suffered mental ill health, that service users views and opinions are heard by the organisation at a strategic level. I think that it is important to have a balance of people guiding the direction of the organisation. Whilst other trustees have worked extensively in the field, I have personal knowledge of mental illness and what it feels like to use mental health services. I'm pleased to use my experience of illness and recovery to try and help others in similar situations. I am involved with other service user groups within Derbyshire, notably as a Rep of the Mental Health Action Group, and am committed to challenging the stigma attached to those suffering mental health issues. I am proud to be associated with Derbyshire Mind, a forward thinking organisation committed to providing good quality services for some of the most vulnerable and misunderstood people in society.

Julie Burrows I have been a service user in both Leicestershire and Derbyshire since 1995, having struggled with mental ill health for many years. Since moving to Derbyshire in 2005, I have become very involved in campaigning and acting as a service user representative around areas of mental health. I am a rep for the Mental Health Action Group and have also done voluntary representative wok with Adult Care at DCC. I was also very involved in the Supporting Peoples Involvement forums, when they were running. I also am part of the Changing Minds group. Through my links within these areas and my own personal experiences I have developed a great deal of knowledge, empathy and understanding of the needs of service users at various levels and from different backgrounds. I hope with my experience as a service user to bring a different perspective and view to the board which will ultimately make a positive difference to the mental health service and service users in Derbyshire. My own interests away from my voluntary work include art and writing, both of which I would like to pursue further, photography, the countryside, walking and keeping fit and going to the cinema.

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