Ecominds have several interesting people on the grants panel, and they all have a variety of mental health and environmental experience.
Stephen is the Chairman of Ecominds and is also a Trustee of Mind, a member of the Mind Networks Committee and Chairmen of Mind's Opportunity for Volunteering scheme. He has previously been a member of the Mind Millennium Awards Panel and Chairman of Mind's Real Lives Real People awards panel.
Stephen is a learning and development consultant with a varied portfolio of work across the health, social care and voluntary sector. A nurse by profession, Stephen has worked mainly in the field of mental health working with both local communities and statutory organisations in innovative and creative ways.
Bryan has led higher education developments covering industry and public services. He also has long experience in voluntary work outdoors and its value for mental wellbeing.
Alex is the General Manager of Bridewell Organic Gardens, an award-winning therapeutic horticulture charity operating in Oxfordshire. Alex moved into the not-for-profit sector in 2002 and has also worked at a Rural Training Center for adults with learning disabilities and another mental health charity. Alex also works as a freelance fundraiser and is currently helping an Oxfordshire based dementia charity with various projects.
Katherine is currently employed as the Development Coordinator at Groundwork East London, an environmental regeneration charity supporting deprived communities. Previously Katherine worked for Colchester Mind developing local community projects that supported people experiencing mental distress. Katherine brings a range of knowledge and skills to the panel that combines both the mental health and environment fields.
Sarah is a community worker with a particular interest and focus on horticulture and environmental projects. Over the past 20 years Sarah has worked in a variety of settings and with many diverse groups, such as setting up a mental health education project with young people, and community development work, to focusing on projects for those at risk of social isolation, and managing a school grounds project. Sarah currently works with adults with learning difficulties on an organic market garden.
Liz works for Macclesfield District Council for Voluntary Service advising and supporting small voluntary and community groups. Liz has a particular interest in mental health issues and was writing an article about Ecominds grants for a local mental health newsletter when the possibility of becoming a panel member occurred to her!
Yvonne is the Health Development Manager for BTCV, a UK environmental volunteering charity. Yvonne has worked for BTCV for over 10 years, during which time she has overseen the development of 'Green Gyms' - community groups which involve people with mental and/or physical health problems in nature conservation volunteering. She has also worked at the Sustainable Development Commission and recently completed a Masters in Voluntary Sector management. Yvonne has started her own Ecotherapy by growing vegetables in her back garden.
Shaun is a Trustee of Mind and has been involved in the service user / survivor movement for many years. He was a member of the Mind Link National Advisory Panel for six years and has been on the board of directors of LAMP, the Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project, since 2006. He was a member of the NICE Guideline Development Group on Medicines Concordance and has a varied background in writing, publishing, art, music and journalism.