Meet our Staff
Alexandra
Role: Development Lead Consultant working alongside the Community and Volunteer Support Workers to engage with the patients from the psychiatric section of “Gheorghe Marinescu” Hospital in Tarnaveni, Mures County, Romania.
Professional Background: I am degree educated in International Relations and European Studies with a master’s degree in Management of Human Resources. My career over the years, as a volunteer and social worker has given me the opportunity to work with institutionalised and 'at risk' children. Working with VfMH gives me the chance to help the wonderful, vulnerable people in the psychiatric section to improve their living conditions and quality of life. At the end of the day, simple things like holding hands, hugging and listening to people make a huge difference to the people that VfMH support. We look forward, in the charity and locally in Romania to working together for a better future for the people we work with on a day to day basis.
Professional Background: I am degree educated in International Relations and European Studies with a master’s degree in Management of Human Resources. My career over the years, as a volunteer and social worker has given me the opportunity to work with institutionalised and 'at risk' children. Working with VfMH gives me the chance to help the wonderful, vulnerable people in the psychiatric section to improve their living conditions and quality of life. At the end of the day, simple things like holding hands, hugging and listening to people make a huge difference to the people that VfMH support. We look forward, in the charity and locally in Romania to working together for a better future for the people we work with on a day to day basis.
Estera
Role: Community and Volunteer Support Worker
Professional background: I have been an auxiliary home help for three years working for a company in Spain. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Social sciences and a qualification in auxiliary home help and elder care in the home. I am currently training to be a nurse and will soon complete the first year of nursing study. I hope to become an occupational therapist because I believe that by teaching skills and adapting environments, you can have a positive impact on someone’s life. This job opportunity with VfMH helps me to do what I love, with a team that I liked from the first moment.
Professional background: I have been an auxiliary home help for three years working for a company in Spain. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Social sciences and a qualification in auxiliary home help and elder care in the home. I am currently training to be a nurse and will soon complete the first year of nursing study. I hope to become an occupational therapist because I believe that by teaching skills and adapting environments, you can have a positive impact on someone’s life. This job opportunity with VfMH helps me to do what I love, with a team that I liked from the first moment.
Radu
Role: Community and volunteer support worker
Professional background: I graduated from the Orthodox Theology University in Sibiu in 2010. I have worked in several different jobs before but I now feel the need to do something good for people. This job opportunity with VfMH will help me to gain experience with people with mental health difficulties and I hope this will be a good experience for when I become a priest. I am passionate about (and love being outside in) the natural world. I am creative and sociable and I believe I will make a good team member, working with my colleagues and supporting the patients. I would like to be a part of something that will bring good change and a better life for other people
Professional background: I graduated from the Orthodox Theology University in Sibiu in 2010. I have worked in several different jobs before but I now feel the need to do something good for people. This job opportunity with VfMH will help me to gain experience with people with mental health difficulties and I hope this will be a good experience for when I become a priest. I am passionate about (and love being outside in) the natural world. I am creative and sociable and I believe I will make a good team member, working with my colleagues and supporting the patients. I would like to be a part of something that will bring good change and a better life for other people
Meet our Trustees
Rachel |
Clare |
Placement dates: Aug 1999-Jan 2000
Trustee since: 2003-07 & 2009 Current role: Secretary Previous roles: Secretary and recruitment coordinator Background: Director of Voluntary Action Harrow- a not for profit workers co-operative, which supports people and not-for-profit organisations to make a difference. |
Placement dates: Mar - Sep 2004, several short trips.
Trustee since: 2007 Current role: Trustee Background: Fine arts training. Worked for Devon Social Services for twenty-six years in adult services, including learning disability and adult mental health. Retired in 2011. |
Estera
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Julie
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Trustee since: 2015
Current role: Treasurer Background: BSc Hons International Economics and Finance graduate, in the process of obtaining ACCA qualifications. Currently working as a Finance Business Partner in the Resources industry. |
Trustee since: 2016
Background: Presently a Practitioner, Consultant & Project Manager, following 13 years experience working in the mental health, social care and development sectors having formerly acted as a Programme Director for psychosocial and community services with various professional qualifications such as PgD in Youth and Community Development. |
Judith
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Caroline
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Placement dates: Sep 2002 – Dec 2002, several short trips.
Trustee since: 2005 Previous roles: Vice Chair/Chair Background: Trained as social worker and mental health officer. Retired in 2004. Now a member of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland. |
Trustee since: 2015
Current role: Trustee Background: I have experience of working in South Africa as a volunteer and have 11 years experience of working in the voluntary sector within a Midlands based charity in different roles such as support worker, manager and senior manager. The experience I have is mostly with vulnerable people at risk including young people, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health. |
Jen
Placement: 2005-2006 plus several short trips. Trustee 2007-2015, and 2017-present.
Background: Research Officer with Lumos Foundation. Prior to this, I worked for six years in mental health in the UK and held a research position at Imperial College London. Other voluntary roles have included Programmes Volunteer with Womankind Worldwide. |
