Chair

Originally a health care professional specialising in anaesthesia, I soon became active in trade unions which led to working with the TUC representing clients at benefits and employment tribunals. It was obvious from the start that people with mental health problems were treated very badly both at work and when claiming benefits.

Before moving to Abergavenny some years ago I was a councillor on a large unitary council for many years, including being the cabinet member for finance and staffing. I also served as a trustee for a national charity which is an umbrella organisation for independent advice services. I am now employed by a trade union in the education sector and am active in local politics.

I believe the role of a trustee is ensuring that high quality and well managed services are provided to those in need by being good employer and upholding the highest standards of ethical and financial probity.

Vice Chair

I am passionate about housing, health, social care and community wellbeing: and my dog, garden, travel, food and music.

I have 40 years experience as a CEO, Group Chair and consultant specialising in stakeholders perceptions management, corporate and brand development, governance and services user/resident engagement. I set up and managed DOME Consultants for over 25 years, and now run Patrick Harkness Consultancy. My experience has spanned the evolution of the housing, health and social care sectors over the last 4 decades. I see the current challenges as part of a continuum.

I have chaired two large Groups of general needs housing and specialist care providers through times of transformation; been a Board member of Shelter; am Vice Chair of a community mutual housing association in South Wales, which employs over 500 staff; and have experience of working in all devolved jurisdictions. I am a trained Mediator and Appropriate Adult and member of Community Housing Cymru’s Code of Governance Task and Finish Group, which will make recommendations on changes to the Code for Registered Housing Providers in Wales.

Having worked, for almost 30 years, both voluntary and as a paid member of staff, in the local communities of Monmouthshire, I am becoming increasingly involved in supporting people to develop their own, or access already established health and wellbeing opportunities.

Through a number of organisations, NCH, Communities First, GAVO, WEA and Coleg Gwent, I have worked in the most deprived areas of Monmouthshire and I have seen how this has impacted on the mental health of the children, young people, families and individuals in these communities.

Through working for Mind Monmouthshire in 2014 as a Caseworker on the HiWay Project, I supported people in identifying strategies in order to improve their mental health and wellbeing through 121 support or Recovery Based Training.

I learned such a lot from the teams at Mind Monmouthshire, the work I was involved in was extremely rewarding, building relationships with team members and our clients, observing changes in thought processes and behaviours is really empowering for that person, and feeling that I had contributed in some part makes what I do really worthwhile.

I now work for Bridges Centre on the Volunteering for Wellbeing Project across Monmouthshire as a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, I provide additional support for some of the volunteers that may need a little support to engage with their volunteer role using a number of bespoke strategies and training workshops.

Since being co-opted as a Mind Monmouthshire trustee in 2018 I have learned so much more about Mind Monmouthshire and all of the new projects that are being developed to help and support people living across the county.

Treasurer

For over 30 years I have run my own business as property developer, during which time I have gained extensive experience in relation to the acquisition renovation building and maintenance of new and existing properties. I have also acted as a landlord, providing accommodation and support to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

I have worked for over 18 years as a qualified social worker for a local authority in South Wales, working with young people within the Youth Justice system, writing court reports and supervising people on various court orders and delivering a range of interventions designed to reduce the risk of offending.

As such, I am aware of the various challenges people face in getting their basic needs met, and the consequences that can occur when their needs are not met. I’ve made it my life long mission to support people who face all forms of inequality discrimination and oppression. Particularly, those who face barriers due to mental health problems and those who are challenged due to physical impairments.

My interests lie within empowerment, mentoring, training and facilitating groups to create change through anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice; whilst also raising awareness of unconscious bias.

I am involved in mentoring as a life coach, and enjoy public speaking; I was recently president of The Voice of Wales Toastmasters public speaking Club. I enjoy photography, travelling, yoga and Tai Chi.

I have a long relationship working with charities having worked for the Children’s Society, NACRO, and the National Autistic Society. I am very pleased to have the opportunity as a trustee to contribute to the outstanding work that Mind is undertaking through the delivery of the various personalised support services, and the local and national work to influence change through the federation’s collaborative partnership work.