I have a background in business as managing director of a company in the property maintenance field as well as owning a commercial property leasing units to small businesses. With my wife we owned a small art gallery for a number of years.
I am an active member of Trinity Church Nottingham.
My main other activities are motor sport including winning a number of championships and also photography which has been a lifelong passion. My images have been used commercially on cards, mugs and in books.
I hope that my work in Open Minds will give the members a feeling of value and community. I've enjoyed helping the members during activities and visits.
I am married with two children.

With an accountancy background David has been MD 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 85, married with 3 children and 7 grandchildren

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Facilitator

Throughout my working life I have worked with people: as a General Nurse, Residential Social Worker offering short term care for adults with varying disabilities. As a Senior Officer in Elderly person’s home.
I’ve taught, assessed and verified N.V.Q’s in Care. Also sat on Investors In People panel. As both Named Manager and Executive Director, I’ve co-owned a 39 bedded Residential Home for the Elderly. Lastly, as onsite Warden I worked 15 years for a Charity assessing and meeting
the needs of up to 100 residents who occupied 63 dwellings.
I thoroughly enjoy working alongside people. I have a bubbly personality and the skill to communicate on various levels. I love seeing people achieve and having fun. Open Minds gives me the opportunity to further my own personal development but also those of all members, by going out and about, meeting, seeing, doing and achieving new things which otherwise they would not have the opportunity to do.

Hello, my name is Sue and I am one of the facilitators for Open Minds. I have been with Open Minds for nearly 20 years now running groups and workshops. During this time the members and volunteers and everyone else who has come through our doors have made it a really, really, most enjoyable job to do. Delivering craft sessions once a month feeds into my love of all things crafty.

My craft room at home has almost everything for every craft you could think of and bringing all this to our sessions and encouraging and sharing this with others makes my hobby even more exciting. I love making things – sewing is my main love – it’s about giving things a go and producing something you love and feel proud of even if no one else sees it.

I also do a lot of 1 to 1 meetings with members – this goes along with my other love in life, cake and coffee as most of the meetings are around cafes. There is an aim though - to help people get out and about in their community and enjoy what is around them and support them with their isolation.

Volunteer

Hi I'm Claire. I am trained as a learning disability nurse. I am a volunteer with Open Minds. I have mainly supported with the 'Out and About' group, which usually involves a café and lovely walk. We even did a Ghost Walk around Nottingham which was interesting! I would really recommend joining as friendly people and a safe place to have a chat if needed. We go at a pace to match the group and its always good to explore new places and get some fresh air!

Volunteer

I’m a volunteer with Open Minds, supporting Craft Days at monthly workshops and Out and
About sessions. I feel that Open Minds has such a warm, friendly atmosphere and I always
feel at home chatting to the members. I’m a people person so my favourite thing about
volunteering is connecting with a variety of different people and having fun at the sessions.

Volunteer

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.