Meet Our Staff

Our dedicated staff team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, giving each project invaluable professional support. At the core of our team lies our exceptional link workers, who are skilled in delivering effective pilots and prototypes, and delivering results with precision and efficiency. Our project development team have the skills to create initiatives that transform people’s lives, but also demonstrate the potential for wider change. They are ready to speak to you, so get in touch.

Sandra Mitchell-Phillips

CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Sandra is an experienced Chief Executive with a strong change management and project development background along with extensive experience in strategic financial planning and performance management. Sandra has worked at a senior level both in the VCSE sector and in the NHS and has considerable experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders. Sandra is passionate about developing and creating programmes to support people to improve their health and wellbeing particularly in the area of health inequalities.
Sandra has an MBA from Newcastle University and a post graduate diploma in Information Rights Law and Practice from Northumbria University.
Phone: 07881 021195

Email Sandra
Simon Bromhead

DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Simon is skilled in project development, fundraising and partnership development. He is a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and has a degree in Law and Sociology.
Before joining Ways to Wellness, Simon was Head of Development at national charity Living Streets, and has had roles in a wide range of voluntary sector organisations, from visitor attractions to environmental charities. Simon was Vice Chair of Newcastle Carers until 2023.
He is passionate about creating projects that impact people’s lives, particularly those in greatest need, and sees effective partnerships as the best way to achieve this goal.
Phone: 07443 272782

Email Simon
Sonia Townend

PROJECT LEAD
Sonia is an experienced PRINCE2 project manager with strengths in operational delivery, lean methodologies and people management. She has a postgraduate degree in Clinical Research with Leadership from Newcastle University and over 15 years experience of working in the NHS in a variety of roles, including Medicines Information and ambulance service Research & Development.
Before joining Ways to Wellness Sonia was a Social Prescribing Link Worker in the East End of Newcastle which inspired an enthusiasm for addressing health inequalities where they affect people's health and wellbeing. She is an advocate for the value of economic evaluation and the importance of evidence based interventions. Sonia is an active member of the National Association of Link Workers , and a proud Haref Ally.

Meet the Ways to Wellness Office Team

Mike Bareham

FINANCE MANAGER
Mike has a degree in Economics & Industrial Relations and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He was Finance Director of a group of local authority owned companies, whilst also a trustee of two charities and a community sports club. His values and skills include honesty, legal compliance, operational efficiency and commercial awareness.
Ang Broadbridge

MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT MANAGER
Ang has 15+ years of experience leading health and care projects, and an MSc in Social Research. Ang was Peer Research Lead at the Young Foundation, growing their peer research strategy. Ang is driven by working collaboratively and passionate about learning that illuminates the needs of people, and the capacity and assets in communities for innovative solutions.
Heather Ewington

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Heather studied for a Masters degree in Library Studies and Information Management at Strathclyde and a Human Computer Interaction MSc at Heriot-Watt University. Prior to joining Ways to Wellness, she worked at Durham University Library in a research support role. Now, she enjoys helping her front-line colleagues make significant improvements to the lives of clients.
Rachael Jones

OFFICE MANAGER
Rachael has an honours degree in Fine Art and trained in project management, fundraising, arts development, mental health, and contemporary science. Her career included operations management at North Tyneside Art Studio and supporting a high profile capital fundraising campaign at Tate London. Rachael is passionate about supporting people and communities.
Victoria Nunn

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING OFFICER
Victoria holds a First Class Degree in Sociology & Social Policy, along with Masters degrees in Media Culture and Education. With a background in cultural sector communications, she now freelances as a consultant in marketing and website design. Victoria actively engages in regional mental health projects, advocating for co-production and lived experience.

Meet the Ways to Wellness Link Work Team

Nadeem Akram

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Nadeem is an experienced health and wellbeing practitioner with particular expertise around mental health issues and diabetes prevention. Previous successes have included helping patients achieve diabetes Type 2 remission by monitoring food diaries and nutrient intake. Nadeem is passionate about healthy eating and general wellbeing.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Tom Arthurs

SPECIALIST LINK WORKER
Tom has extensive experience supporting people through various charities for the last 10 years. This includes employment support, mental health community engagement and welfare benefits advice and support. Tom is particularly interested in men's issues including mental health and has previous set up and run men's groups to combat social isolation.
Project: Persistent Physical Symptoms
Tazeen Ayubi

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Taz has a Master's in Public Health from Northumbria University, and prior to this studied dentistry in India. Her professional journey has taught her empathy, active listening, and patient management, while developing an understanding of the nuances within healthcare, well-positioning her to contribute meaningfully to tacking health inequalities and supporting individuals.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Peter Bell

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Peter has been a social prescribing Link Worker for Ways to Wellness since 2017, and before this was a Health Trainer in behaviour change.
Peter recently started a National Association of Link Workers Level 5 Certificate in Social Prescribing Practice.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Theo Brophy Clews

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Theo has an MSc in Psychology from Northumbria University. Before joining Ways to Wellness he worked as a link worker for Everyturn Mental Health. He particularly values a compassionate approach when working with people.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Becca Curry

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING TEAM LEADER
Becca studied Psychology at Northumbria, followed by a Masters in the Foundations of Clinical Psychology. She has practical experience as a social prescriber within Central Newcastle and has volunteered with a number of mental health charities. Becca is passionate about the way social prescribing empowers people to focus on their own wellbeing and loves to witness its impact.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Daniya Faheem

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Daniya has a BSc in Psychology and recently achieved a Master’s in Health Psychology. Her background is working with young people, spending time working with primary aged children. Danya believes passionately in working collaboratively with clients, showing compassion and respect to everyone, and providing the best possible support to people.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Fay Howell

SPECIALIST LINK WORKER
Fay has set up two Mutual Aid Groups and supported numerous clients for better well-being. With a background in development training and completed Motivational Interviewing workshops, she believes individuals, given time and awareness of available support, can independently make positive changes to improve their health and well-being.
Previous project: Long Term Conditions
Current project: Persistent Physical Symptoms
Fliss Hunter-Nott

SPECIALIST LINK WORKER
Following a career change from Engineering, Fliss worked for the Stroke Association for four years, specialising in peer support for young stroke survivors. She has ten years’ experience of volunteering with families who have children with additional needs. She is passionate about working with families to help them to live their best lives, and encouraging parents to practice self care.
Project: SPACE Pilot
Steffen Laukard

SPECIALIST TEAM LEADER
Steffen studied Social Work at MSB Medical School Berlin, followed by a MA in Sociology from Newcastle University. He has implemented and team managed two services in Northumberland, including the SMI (serious mental illness) Outreach Service and the Maternal Mental Health Support Service. Steffen is passionate about collaborative and interdisciplinary working with clients and professionals.
Project: Persistent Physical Symptoms
Lauren Loader

SPECIALIST TEAM LEADER
Lauren studied Social Work at Northumbria University, spending time working within homeless services, supporting children and families in the local authority and primary schools, and providing specialised community care for people living with disabilities. Since then, Lauren has worked within the charity sector for 10 years as a social prescribing link worker.
Project: SPACE Pilot
Vicky Locke

SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKER
Vicky has a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care. She has 20 years of experience working in the health and social care sector, mostly with older people. Previous roles include Psychosocial Link Worker, and Deputy Manager for a domiciliary care company. Vicky enjoys working with people and supporting them to make changes and achieve their goals.
Project: Long Term Conditions
Thomas Lovedawn

SPECIALIST TEAM LEADER
Before joining Ways to Wellness, Thomas spent four years with Groundwork helping Autistic people towards employment. He also spent four years furthering his cultural knowledge and communication skills as an English Teacher in South Korea. He has an MSc in Science Communication, is currently studying Counselling and believes in guiding people towards personal empowerment.
Project: PROSPeR
Kiran Singh

SPECIALIST LINK WORKER
Kiran is a Biomedical Sciences graduate with six years of social prescribing experience. Her passion is providing support to people to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing, working towards positive outcomes. Kiran currently works across two Ways to Wellness projects: Waiting Well (PROSPeR) and Persistent Physical Symptoms.
Projects: Persistent Physical Symptoms; PROSPeR