Bernadette has over 30 years’ experience in leadership roles all in charities focused on providing advocacy and support to people facing multiple disadvantage, with a focus on those excluded because of their mental health. Before joining Mind THNR, Bernadette was interim CEO of the domestic abuse charity, Solace Women’s Aid. Prior to this she was the CEO of the children’s and young people’s mental health charity, Unlocking Potential. Bernadette was a trustee of the Tower Hamlets based charity Providence Row and is now a trustee at Khulisa.

I started my career in the motor trade and worked as a dealership accountant for Aston Martin, Landrover and Jaguar for 15+ years. I moved to MindTHNR in 2017 as a finance officer and worked up to a Finance Director.  Working for MindTHNR has created a great balance for my work and family life – keeping my heart (family) and mind (job satisfaction) in check!

Shahan Islam is currently the Manager of HR and Governance. She is committed to promoting the HR Management and Development of staff and supporting good governance amongst trustees. She has worked for the organisation for almost 12 years, managing a range of contracts and teams. As a member of CIPD she adheres to the values and principles to champion better work and working lives for all. Prior to joining Mind she has worked with communities for over 16 years across a range of disciplines.

As operations director with a keen focus on the borough of Redbridge, my role involves developing, shaping, and sustaining Mental Health and well-being services for, and with communities across the borough. I have a keen interest in broadening our reach, scaling our services, and meeting the needs of our clients, with the aim of providing services which are impactful, and which seek to realise our clients’ ambitions. As an MBA Almuni, and PRINCE2 project management professional with extensive experience of supporting the growth of people, projects, and organisations I will seek to utilise my experience and knowledge for the benefit of communities across the borough.

Fiona Scaife is the Director of Advocacy Services and leads on the statutory and non-statutory services across the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Havering. This includes the following areas but is not inclusive to:
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy
• Advocacy under the Care Act

Shelu has over 10 years experience of delivering award winning services within Tower Hamlets and Newham. His career has focussed on supporting young people, ex-offenders, reducing unemployment and supporting people with mental health difficulties.

During his annual leave Shelu once cycled 300 miles in 3 days from Croatia to Bosnia all for charity and has also taken part in various other challenging events such as the London Marathon.

As an Operations Director Shelu has strategic oversight of MITHN services across Tower Hamlets and Newham and is the organisations lead for Quality Improvement and Volunteering.

I have over 15 years’ experience in the delivery and management of Community Mental Health Services. I am a trained Citizen’s UK Community Organiser and have actively campaigned for inclusivity, diversity and parity across marginalised communities. I am currently overseeing the delivery and development of Mental Health Services and Lead on Co-Production, Involvement, Peer Support and Recovery and Wellbeing services. I am a trained Mediator and Chartered Member of CIPD. I feel proud to be working within an organisation who are able to reflect and connect so well with their communities.