Rebecca Volunteer Co-ordinator Expand Rebecca can either be found trying to empty her mind completely through meditation or keeping it busy with other things, such as keeping horses under control, rather than battling with her thoughts about the past or future.She came to VITAL 3 years ago, surprisingly in her eyes as she had no belief that she would get the job, but applied because she had a strong desire to help people experiencing mental health issues (she got the job… obviously!).Her vision for the future is that people who experience mental ill health are able to use their experiences and understand the strength they bring, and are seen as strong, believing in their own abilities!Get Rebecca chatting about the weird and wonderful world of medicine, or anything science related and she’ll be happy.
Haseeb NHS Complaints Advocate Expand Whatever the weather, Haseeb finds the Pennine Way or Yorkshire Dales a great way to declutter and renew his headspace, keeping the mind healthy. Preserving the mind was something he paid little thought too, but all areas of his work have had one common theme; people struggling to map out their thoughts in order to unleash their potential or stand up for what is important to them.As such, advocacy was a great career option, but he found it hard to find a road in until an opportunity arose through a joint contract with Choice Advocacy, where he was able to use all the experience he had gained over the years to help give a voice to those who might be side lined or forgotten.We were lucky to acquire Haseeb following difficult times for Choice Advocacy who we hope to see resurface over the following year. He hopes that despite the changing advocacy landscape he will continue to uphold the guiding principles and lend his expertise as an advocate for those who need a voice when all other voices drown out their voice.One more thing its worth knowing about Haseeb, as much as he loves water, he hasn’t yet learned to swim.. so if you have any tips, let him know!
Parvin Senior Advocate Expand Parvin takes a social approach to a healthy mind, enjoying company of friends and the sounds of live music. He may not be into doing the sport himself but is a keen follower of many sports, and fan of Bradford City Football Club. He came to VITAL 9 years ago, mainly working with vulnerable people who were admitted to psychiatric wards, enabling them to be heard within their care planning, and ensuring they are not marginalised.Parvin is particularly interested in challenging people’s attitudes towards mental health, believing that people should feel comfortable discussing the challenges they experience without facing judgement or negativity. He believes that when people are open and honest about their own experiences of mental health issues, they often find others are willing to listen and share.
Andrea ICAT Co-Ordinator Expand You may find Andrea tucked away in a garden cuddling a cat (particularly her cats, Puma and Makeeda), as she finds taking time out from people is really important to stay mentally healthy. Faith is also really important to her, and helps her to reflect on what is really important.Andrea came to work with VITAL 14 years ago originally and then returned to us 5 years ago particularly drawn in by the fact that her own experiences of mental ill health and recovery were seen as an asset. She believes that everyone goes through times of distress when it is difficult to gather our thoughts and voice our needs. She wants to ensure that she can help people through that process where possible.She is a great believer in enabling people to find and value their own strength.If you are struggling with some knitting or crochet techniques or anything a bit crafty, give Andrea a shout!
Carol Finance Officer Expand Carol’s way of maintaining mental health might send others to distraction, by way of cross-stitch, where hours can be and thoughts lost in the focus of the work. However, you will also find her unwinding with friends and family, chatting and socialising, all in the quest of staying mental healthy.She came to VITAL 9 years ago, when the role of Finance Officer was advertised. Like most who come to work here, she was attracted by the ethos, as her confidence was depleted by a period of mental ill health.She feels that the organisation really helped her to regain her confidence and hopes that it an continue to support people experiencing all types of mental health issues, regardless of diagnosis or severity.Her hope for the future is that our projects will have real impact on people’s lives and that stigma will be removed from the discussion of mental health. If you pass her house and hear bizarre noises, worry not, she is just trying the learn the saxophone!
Sharon Director Expand If you can catch Sharon on a day where she is having to work that extra bit harder to keep her mental health ok, then you may get all your washing up done too! This is one of the various things she does to stay mentally healthy… sometimes a small achievement can motivate other actions. Sharon didn’t have the confidence to ring for an application form 20 years ago, but fortunately her friend did, and sent her the application. She believes that working within a user run organisation is the most ‘normal’ place she has worked, or at least it should be. She loves working with people who are open about their mental health, and use their experiences in a positive way to help and inspire others… having mental health issues does not mean you cannot achieve! She shares the vision that people will be seen as more than their illness whoever they are talking to, and that people can share experiences openly to benefit others who are struggling.In an age of Unicorns, your will find Sharon with the Dragons.
Sam Sam’s regular Tuesday night 5-a-side football keeps him mentally and physically fit. Expand Sam’s regular Tuesday night 5-a-side football keeps him mentally and physically fit. Listening to music and playing the guitar are other ways that he finds keeps his mind healthy. He has worked for 13 years in advocacy, mainly with people with learning disabilities at Choice Advocacy, but he also worked as an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate at VITAL previously. Over this time he has seen changes in advocacy, good and bad, as it has become more professionalised and he is concerned that this should not mean advocacy becoming McDonaldised! Sam has also had various roles in Bradford’s voluntary sector as he believes that one way in which the mental health of the community can improve is through opportunities, getting actively involved in changing things for the better. What you might not know about Sam is that as well as enjoying reading fiction he is also trying to write himself. If you want recommendations for a ‘good read’ he is always happy to help – but be warned whenever his Friday night reading group reads one of his recommendations it always divides opinion!
Karen Expand Karen has recently joined the VITAL team and comes with 15 years of experience working as an advocate with those with learning disabilities, mental ill health and dementia. Additionally, Karen is an NLP practitioner. She uses these skills to find different ways to communicate with people who may find expressing their wishes and opinions difficult. She has personal experience of how challenging life can be as a carer and after the loss of a loved one, how important it is to have good support when your mental health is suffering. Karen finds EFT – tapping technique – a great way to manage difficult times and continues to make use of that approach today. Karen is an avid gardener not only in her own garden but also volunteers at a local school growing fruit and veg with the children; as well as upcycling furniture and spending time with her young daughter and dog, Poppy.