Our Board of Trustee's

DAVID AUSTIN

Trustee and Interim chair of the board
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

JOHN MASON

Trustee & Treasurer 
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.

PATRICK GALLAGHER

Trustee
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.

Pip

Trustee
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.

BOBBY

Trustee
I have been a member of Open Minds for many years and am also on the board of Trustees. I like going to Open Minds because I enjoyed making and meeting new friends and going to the new places that I have never been before such as Trent Lock, Chatsworth House and some beautiful places.

Meet the Team

OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
https://openmindsnottingham.co.uk/

Val

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.

SUE

Staff
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.

CLAIRE

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!
https://openmindsnottingham.co.uk/

Catherine

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.

BETH

VOLUNTEER
I started volunteering for Open Minds in December 2021. I help out at the craft sessions and Sue always comes brimming with new and interesting activities to do - I learn something new every time! I am also greatly humbled as I get to know the members and what life is like for them. What I love most about volunteering here is getting to be part of a lovely community that creates a safe and fun space for the members

ANDREW

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.

Kelly

VOLUNTEER
After some considerable time thinking about her future Kelly has decided it is best focus on her health and so stop any further facilitation work with us. We wish her well in her recovery.

Would you like to become a volunteer?

Volunteering can be hugely rewarding, please contact us for more information.
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