I have been a volunteer with Open Minds for over 9 years! Currently I am studying at university to be a Radiographer. I volunteer with Open Minds on weekends at the craft and 'out and about' sessions. In addition to monitoring our members whatsapp group, offering support and advice to our members when they share their worries. The members have known me for a long time and I have good relationships with them.

My name is Pip short for Phillipa, I am originally from Germany. I have been a volunteer with Open Minds for many years! I help out at our weekend sessions and enjoy it a lot. Recently I joined the board of trustees to be more involved in the running of the charity. I attend meetings every two months and use my perspective as a volunteer to help shape the decisions we make.

I have been involved with Open Minds since 1996, as a volunteer and from 2003 employed as Co-ordinator. There have been major changes over the last 27 years as we have developed from a voluntary group through to a sustainable organisation supporting disabled people. The motivation, as then and now, is the empathy we create for individuals, who then carry this forward in the relationships they create in our group.

With accountancy background David has been managing director and business manager of a number of enterprises, including the employment of persons with various disabilities.
Whilst he is now retired, in addition to Open Minds, he is involved with local charities, and a business mentor with the Prince’s Trust.

David has been a Trustee of Open Minds since 2004, and as Chairman for 15 years. It is an honour and privilege to serve this unique group, and to see the benefits of Open Minds
social gatherings in terms of addressing isolation, and confidence building.

David is 81, married with 3 children and 7 grandchildren

I was brought up in Ruislip, NW London . I moved to Nottingham in 1966 after university to join Boots. During my retirement after a career in production and personnel management I took up a number of voluntary rolls including Young Enterprise and The Princes Trust both giving business experience to young people. People's College ( as it was then) as a Governor and Citizens Advice Nottingham as a Trustee. I joined Open Minds some 10 years ago again hoping that my work experience would be
useful. Having an affinity with numbers I took up the role of Treasurer.


Although a small organisation it makes a positive difference for its members and is served by a friendly committed and enthusiastic staff and volunteers.