Our Team

Emma Mander

Co-founder 

Emma began Great Minds Together with Meg Walls in early 2019. Since then Emma has become a leading specialist in Trauma, SEND and SEMH needs with a particular passion for children that fall between the gaps of the system as a result of unmet and/or unidentified needs. Emma is currently studying the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling Degree programme at Arden University, hoping to specialise in Clinical or Forensic Psychology and is certified in Mental Health First Aid, SEND, Child Protection, 

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. 

Since creating the Great Minds model with her co-founder, Emma has been a part of a number of multi-disciplinary teams that have achieved the right diagnosis and support for children across the country. Emma, along with Meg and their team now support more than 2000 families and professionals across England, with a specific focus on upskilling professionals and helping to meet, identify and understand the individual needs of young people.  

Emma says:

"I started my career in health and social care in 2001, where I worked in a number of different settings including schools, hospitals and residential homes. In 2005 I took a role in a property company and pursued my career in Housing for almost a decade. During this period I was responsible for the management of more than 50 staff members and over 500 tenants and landlords. I qualified as a contract writer in 2007 which focussed on housing law and project management.

In 2010 I had my first child, and it was after this point that I truly recognised that my passion was in people, and specifically in psychology, mental health and social care, and so in 2014 I decided to return to my studies in Psychology and I purchased my first business. For the following 5 years, I had two more children, I completed a number of courses in Psychology and achieved a number of accreditation's with a particular focus on SEND and Mental Health in young people, whilst running three different businesses that had a focus on families. In 2014 I also became a school 

Governor and became very interested on how 

education and social care link together. 

As my children began to grow, and I witnessed the world they were growing up in, noticing a significant amount of challenges around mental health in children and young people, I decided to write a Life Skills curriculum. We began delivering the Life Skills curriculum in schools and community centre's in April 2019. 

My passion is to ensure I am always doing something that "gives back" to society in some way that makes a difference. I have a keen interest in Psychology, problem solving and creating solution focussed model's that have a strong social value as well as Growth Mindset and positive thinking. It is my goal to ensure that all families in England are fully supported in managing the challenges that life throws at them as we explore a world of high need and little understanding. 

Since working on The Great Minds model since April 2019, it has become evident that there are a number of significant gaps within our system when it comes to education, housing and social care. I feel strongly about working together with a multi-agency approach to help bridge those gaps for families whilst also supporting schools and services. It is my aim to unite all families, services and community groups to ensure that no family is left feeling unsupported. By providing a wraparound service for families that have children with SEND and/or SEMH needs, that mentors, co-ordinates and supports, I am certain that this will help improve our system and the overall outcomes for children and young people in a positive way." 

  Meg Walls

Co-founder

Meg became a qualified social worker in 2010 after completing an MA in Social Work Studies although has worked with children and families for many years prior to this. 

Meg had caring commitments from a young age and her working career has been focused on working with vulnerable people- children and young people, young adults and adults with physical and learning disabilities in their homes and community settings as well as supporting older people in the community. 

As part of the Masters programme Meg completed two 100 (6 month) placements with an agency supporting destitute refugees and asylum seekers and their families and working on a Community Mental Health Team supporting adults in the community who have severe and enduring mental illness. 

Meg says:

"As a social worker spanning a decade I worked for three local authorities including Rochdale, Tameside and Manchester and have experience of working on various teams including First Response (duty and assessment), child protection and court teams, later going on to specialise in Cared For/ Looked After Children. After working as a senior practitioner for a number of years I worked for a year as an Independent Reviewing Officer for Manchester Local Authority and also as a team manager for Tameside, being responsible for a team of 15 social workers and hundreds of families whose children were ‘Looked After’. 

I have supervised students and NQSW’s as well as more experienced social workers and particularly enjoy sharing good practice and supporting others to learn to put theory into practice. Although very challenging particularly when working full time and having two children within three years it was an invaluable experience. I ended my work in local authorities when I left to became a foster carer in July 2019. I remain an Independent Social Worker and am registered with Social Work England as appropriate. 

I am a mother of two birth children, from a huge Irish family and am also a foster carer alongside my long term partner; we have cared for several children with various levels of need. I feel particularly strongly about promoting positive outcomes for Looked After Children and working in a strengths based way with all families and practitioners, valuing parents and families as the experts they are. I have a particular interest in attachment and trauma informed practice. I love my role within Great Minds Together and believe that we are part of a new social movement of change working towards better outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and/ or social, emotional and mental health needs."

Following experience of working with mental health and wellbeing complexities, I completed an MSc in Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health to specialise on the emotional wellbeing of individuals. 

Sport and physical activity has the potential to be used not only as effective treatment to mental health problems but also act as a preventative tool. 

The role of sport and physical activity extend beyond just psychological and biological benefits, but also social benefits that those with mental health needs could potentially struggle with. 

My passion for Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health has led me onto a number of mentoring roles and I love to work closely with families and individuals to create opportunities and provide emotional support whilst promoting overall wellbeing. 

       Hi, I’m Sue Sharples. 

I worked as a support teacher in Manchester primary schools for 20 years. 

Since I retired, I’ve been working as a   volunteer with a training organisation supporting disadvantaged adults.