Our Team

Business Manager and Personnel Director

I am Rachel, the Business Manager and Personnel Director for Great Minds Together. 

After having my daughter, I became passionate about wanting to make the world a better place for the younger generation and providing assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community.

 I have been with Great Minds Together since the very beginning and it is amazing to see how our organisation has grown and helped so many families.

I have experience in theatre and I am passionate about children being able to have the freedom to express themselves in an individual way, and for this to be embedded into our society as a social model, enabling inclusivity for all. 

Strategic Lead for Wraparound Support 

I am Kirsten and I have 12 years experience working with children and families, previously managing a busy after school and holiday club. 

I have a passion for children’s welfare and wellbeing and know that building and sustaining relationships with children and families is essential to achieving the best outcomes for all. This is the ethos of Great Minds Together and I am extremely proud to be working in such an inspirational company. 

I am a level 3 qualified play-worker and have also gained a diploma in social work. I have multiple professional certificates including designated safeguarding lead, CAF, Autism awareness, Prevent duty and First Aid. 

More recently I have gained certificates in child attachment and Early Help Assessment. Within my first 5 months at Great Minds Together I have been able to be a part of the intervention programme working mainly with children who are at risk of exclusion. This has been very rewarding and has had a 100% success rate thus proving that working multi-agency and providing wraparound services for families and children is essential to achieving the best outcomes for all involved. I am excited to see what the future brings. .

CCE Lead 

With over 25 years of experience in youth work, secondary school pastoral work, community outreach and engagement experience across Greater Manchester and  Europe, Adrian takes a culturally diverse, solution focussed approach to raising criminal exploitation awareness and with a proven record of success. 

Adrian is particularly experienced in reducing involvement in crime, supporting transition back to mainstream schools successfully and raising awareness for young people on criminal exploitation. 

In addition, Adrian has experience in supporting young people to access vocational courses and ensuring positive career path opportunities. He provides student and parent support programs, community event facilitation, youth participation workshops and mentoring. 

Speech and Language Therapist

I qualified with a degree in psychology and speech pathology in 1998 and have been fortunate to enjoy a wide and varied career working as a speech and language therapist in both clinical and team lead roles since that time. 

Quite early on I decided to specialise in working with children and young people of school age with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in a wide range of mainstream schools and a specialist resourced based provisions. I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in primary teaching in 2003. 

In recent years I have developed a particular interest and expertise in the assessment of children/young people with social communication difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions and I currently work as part of a multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment team within the NHS. 

I have a particular passion for coaching and training education practitioners to meet the needs of pupils with SLCN in their settings and have considerable experience in devising and delivering a range of bespoke workshops and accredited training courses. 

Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator

 Hello, My name is Denise
 

I am the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator for Great Minds Together and I am really excited and passionate about coordinating the health and well being within GMT and providing evidence based approaches using qualitative data. I provide reflective practice, health and wellbeing workshops, relaxation techniques and stress management strategies to encourage staff to participate in wellbeing initiatives for better health and well being outcomes. I have been a health and wellbeing coach, therapist and practitioner for the last 18 years working within primary care and within the NHS, as well as occupational health. I practice Reflexology and stress management including CBT as a student member of BACP.  I have experience of mentoring children with SEND and SEMH as well as looked after children.
I was approached to be an Ambassador for the Federation of Holistic therapists and within this role I attend Universities and Colleges to present and facilitate training and Q and A sessions on health and wellbeing. I have a BSc(Hons) degree.
I am also a qualified Mental Health First Aider. I decided to train as a Homeopath 18 years ago then as a  Health and well being Practitioner, Therapist after sadly losing my Brother who did not have early intervention or the help he required for his chronic mental health and did not have the correct diagnosis.
This spurned me on to help others find the support, education and health and wellbeing support needed which is why i wanted to work with Great Minds Together, as it is a fabulous team and the ethos is to inspire and educate and make a difference.
 

My ethos is to give back and I am passionate about helping people to make a difference to their lives 

Assistant Clinical Psychologist

Hi, my name is Anxhela (pronounced as Angela). I am 26 years old and have just recently graduated with a Master's degree in Clinical psychology from the university of Kingston. I also hold a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I have experience working with children and young people as a Play therapist and as a Club Leader. Creating a world where mental health stigma is not around is something I aspire to work towards and where mental health is accessible to everyone and I mean everyone! As we are seeing a huge rise in mental health issues (in particular during Covid) for many many reasons such as social media, society and education ( just to mention a few). I want to be able to offer my skills, understanding and a listening ear to those that are struggling and need someone to talk to. I believe that early intervention is key to mental health issues that we face. The younger we receive education on how to express and deal with our feelings, the better the outcome. It’s really important that we speak to people that we believe we can relate to and can to an extent understand the many struggles we go through in life.  I have always wanted to know how our early experiences shape us into the people we become as adults and how can we break the cycle and develop a healthy mental well-being and how to maintain this. I believe (supported by much research in the area) that early intervention is key in managing and preventing many mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. as the number of individuals with mental health disorders increases, it is more effective that we provide early education and intervention and normalise the idea that seeking professional help is necessary. removing the stigma on mental health is something I am really passionate on working in. 

Volunteer Manager

 I was first introduced to Great Minds Together by school as my child has Autism/SEMH needs. 

Working closely with them on a first hand basis I was glad for all their support in helping me with my daughter's EHCP and directions moving forward. Like myself they have always put the child’s welfare first and supported my family without putting funding first. Having a child with complex needs I have learnt a lot through the years, especially surrounding the lack of support from resources currently in place. 

Having NHS training and seeing first hand who Great Minds Together were and how much things needed to change to help SEND/SEMH, I decided to volunteer.  I want to be part of a team who are initiating change to support all children and families in the position I used to find myself in.

I am very proud to be a part of the Great Minds team.

Prevention - Life Skills Manager

Hi my name is Gail,. Currently I manage one of the Great Minds Together Prevention- Life Skills programmes within a school, a role which I am very passionate about. 

I run the Life Skills Curriculum through daily after school sessions at our central hub, and support with training of other staff and volunteers. 

Our curriculum centres around social and emotional wellbeing and as a mother and grandmother I can empathise with parents and understand each child’s needs. The child always comes first, so I ensure that all of my sessions provide a nurturing and compassionate environment for the children to learn and thrive in an individualised way. 

I was an accredited childminder for many years, offering government funded care and have kept up to date with first aid and safeguarding training. I attend regular forums to update and improve my knowledge continually. I also run the Great Minds Together holiday club where the children excelled in learning a range of Life Skills.

 Working together is the key and this is what Great Minds Together is all about and I am proud to be part of the excellent team.

Mentor

Hi, my name is Claire and I am a Mentor at Great Minds Together. My background is in health and social care and I feel passionate about young people being supported to achieve their true potential.
I have been working with a number of students of the past year on targeted intervention and Growth Mindset programs. Every student I work with is now in full-time education, and when our programs initially began they were all out of education for one reason or another. Having seen the difference the Great Minds programme makes for young people first hand, I could not be prouder working for this organisation. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had. 

     Hi, I'm Rebecca. I’m currently working as a teaching assistant, breakfast club assistant, after school club assistant and holiday club manager. 

I hold over over 10 years experience of working with children.
 

   I am really proud of becoming a mentor for Great Minds Together and I am hoping that my experience will help to support families.    

     Hi, my name is Lorna. I love to listen to music, watch films and spend time with my   family and friends. 

I absolutely adore dogs - big fluffy ones are my favourite, or little ones that can sit on your knee at night in front of the TV. 

I work in a primary school as a teaching assistant, helping an individual with autism. 

I'm always smiling and having fun and would love to support you to do the same - children, mums, dads, grandmas and grandads. 

With patience, enthusiasm and dedication, I like to think I am able to support anyone in   need of a listening ear or a helping hand.   

My name is Steve Wetherill and my background is in primary education. 

I have taught in primary schools since 1983. I was a headteacher for 16 years and I have been an associate headteacher in three other schools.

I am a governor in three schools, two primary schools and a high school, and I work as a governor tutor for the local authority governor service's team.

  Ms Gianni is a teacher (QTS) and holds a BA in Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology (University of Athens) and a MA in Childhood Studies (University of Leeds). 

She taught Modern and Ancient Greek in Greece and has also been working as a Supply Teacher/Teaching Assistant (English, Religious Education, Music, Drama Studies) as well as Exam Invigilator for primary and secondary state schools in the UK. 

Ms Gianni is, in addition, currently working for ‘Great Minds Together’ where she mentors and supports children with special educational needs (SEN) and social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and their families. 

Lastly, Ms Gianni is working at the Greek School of Manchester as a Teaching Assistant.

Hi I am Maryam. I recently graduated with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Newcastle University following my Bachelors in Counselling Psychology. 

Having worked with individuals with special needs for the last five years, I have learned that supporting such individuals is only successful when the care is person centred (the person is involved in their care), evidence-based, and involves support to their families. 

I have worked with both children and adults with a variety of needs including Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, and other mental health difficulties including depression and anxiety alongside Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists. 

My most recent role at Victim Support involved providing emotional and practical support to victims of crime, and therefore, I am aware of resources that might be helpful to you and your child. 

I like to believe that I am a bubbly, creative, approachable, and positive individual. While I enjoy painting, knitting, and gardening (the quarantine this year really helped me pick up these hobbies), I also enjoy watching movies, and following football games and Formula1 races. 

I can speak four languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, and intermediate Arabic. 

I am interested in supporting SEMH and SEND individuals and their families both by helping develop core skills, but also through providing practical support. 

The recent COVID-19 situation has been difficult for everyone and given my vast experience working within mental health populations, I am well-equipped to support in any way that I can. 

     Hello! My name is Zenis, I am recent graduate with a degree in Biomedical Science. I hope to specialise in Clinical Psychology and work with children in the   future. I am a virtual volunteer mentor with Great Minds Together. I love working with children and young people and have done so before when working at Explore Learning. The mentoring programmes enhances the connection of young people and their families to help provide better outcomes. I enjoy the opportunity to learn about the children, answer their questions, address   their concerns and share in their accomplishments. My hobbies include reading   and journaling. I love to read all genres of books and science is my   favourite topic. Journaling allows the time to self-reflect and focus on   myself, whilst reading helps to enhance my knowledge. I hope to be able to   provide a source of comfort and support to the young people registered with   Great Minds Together.     

My name is John.

I live in Stockport, South Manchester.

My whole working background is in Recruitment and employment advice.

I was MD of my own Recruitment Company for over 20 years.

Over the last 6 years I have been helping young people and adults gain training, education and sustainable employment.

I am a Safeguarding Officer for my employer and my local football club and I am a qualified football coach to U7s to under 16s.

All my training, employment and experience gained over the last 6 years has been focused on helping families move forwards in many aspects of their lives. I have provided service to many individuals experience barriers/crisis.

I believe we all have a duty of care to each other to make everybody as happy, safe and life fulfilled as possible.

Hi I am Mahwish Saleem.

I am an ambitious psychology graduate motivated to make a difference in peoples’ lives by understanding and listening to their experiences and helping them through their darkest moments and promoting positive mental health. My professional experience as a teaching assistant has interested me further in mental health. Having the opportunity to witness and support young children suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety, at such a young age, with little knowledge on how to manage their emotions and feelings, has impacted me emotionally. It has also made me conscious about experiencing the joyful and positive moments when they feel they are protected and happy. Observing this has motivated me to become an intervention mentor with Great minds together in order to positively support children and families with interventions and resources specifically tailored to them. Additionally, I have worked for the University of Oxford as a research assistant. In my free time, I like to draw bespoke patterns as a professional henna artist for clients on their big day and I can speak three languages English, Urdu and Punjabi. 

Hello, I’m Alice. I have a degree in psychology and I have recently completed my level 2 and 3 in counselling skills and studies. I hope to continue my studies with a masters in counselling and psychotherapy. 

I have experience working as a support worker, helping people with many different mental and physical disabilities. 

I volunteer for Great Minds Together, providing virtual support to children and their families. I hope to use my skills I have acquired through my studies and my work experience to comfort, support and encourage the children I mentor. 

Hey, I’m Hayley. I am a mum of two children (11 and 14yrs) both with additional needs (autism and ADHD). I have been through the whole process of waiting list, speech and language, CAMHS, EHCP meeting and having to push for the right education/environment for my children who are both the complete opposites of each other (just to make life easier).

I struggled a lot in high school and came away with no qualifications and feeling very deflated by the whole experience, developing anxiety and depression. I had to start from the beginning but have recently completed a degree and have been accepted onto a master’s in clinical counselling.

I love animals and have a cat (Pikachu) and a border collie (Willow), I like watching anime, horror movies, video games and reading. I am very calm, relaxed and a great listener.