Meet our staff team

Our dedicated, experienced staff team has a wealth of knowledge that gives each of our projects invaluable professional support. At the core of our team are our exceptional link workers, skilled in delivering effective pilots and prototypes, and delivering results with precision and efficiency.

Our project development team members have the skills to create initiatives that transform people’s lives, and that demonstrate the potential for wider systemic change. They are ready to speak to you, so get in touch if you feel you have an idea you’d like our support to test.

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    Simon Bromhead

    HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

    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
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    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.

    Having worked at a senior level both in the VCSE sector and in the NHS, Sandra has considerable experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.

    Passionate about developing and creating programmes supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing, particularly in the area of health inequalities, Sandra has an MBA from Newcastle University and a postgraduate diploma in Information Rights Law and Practice from Northumbria University.

    Phone: 07881 021195

    Email Sandra
  • Ang Broadbridge, Ways to Wellness' Head of Implementation

    Ang Broadbridge

    HEAD OF IMPLEMENTATION

    Ang has more than 15 years’ experience leading health and care projects, and an MSc in Social Research. Having been Peer Research Lead at the Young Foundation, where she grew its peer research strategy, she is driven by collaboration, and is passionate about learning that highlights people’s needs, along with the capacity and assets within communities that lead to innovative solutions.

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    Sonia Townend

    HEAD OF DIGITAL SYSTEMS

    Sonia is an experienced PRINCE2 project manager, with strengths in operational delivery, lean methodologies and people management.

    With a postgraduate degree in Clinical Research with Leadership from Newcastle University, Sonia spent more than 15 years working in the NHS in a variety of roles, including in medicines information, and ambulance service research and development.

    Before joining Ways to Wellness, Sonia was a Social Prescribing Link Worker in the east end of Newcastle, a role which inspired an enthusiasm for addressing health inequalities affecting people's health and wellbeing.

    She is an advocate for the value of economic evaluation, and the importance of evidence based interventions. Sonia is also an active member of the National Association of Link Workers , and a proud Haref ally.

  • Mike Bareham, Ways to Wellness' Head of Finance

    Mike Bareham

    HEAD OF FINANCE

    Mike has a degree in Economics and Industrial Relations and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

    He was Finance Director for a group of local authority-owned companies while acting as trustee for two charities and a community sports club.

    His values and skills include honesty, legal compliance, operational efficiency and commercial awareness.

  • Jule Wilson, Ways to Wellness' Head of Communications and Marketing

    Jule Wilson

    HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

    Having begun her communications career as a newspaper reporter following a brief period in the education sector, Jule joined Ways to Wellness in 2024, bringing with her 20 years of experience gained in a variety of operational, strategic and teaching roles in the private, public and VCSE sectors.

    Leading on our communications and marketing strategy, Jule oversees all cross-channel operational communications and marketing activity, both internally and externally.

    She is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and holds professional diplomas from both the CIPR and the Digital Marketing Institute, as well as an MA in Creative Writing.

    Get in touch at media@waystowellness.org.uk

Meet the Ways to Wellness Office Team

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    Rachael Jones

    OFFICE MANAGER

    Rachael has an honours degree in Fine Art and is trained in project management, fundraising, arts development, mental health, and contemporary science.

    Her career has included operations management at North Tyneside Art Studioand supporting a high profile capital fundraising campaign at Tate London.

    Rachael is passionate about supporting people and communities.

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    Heather Ewington

    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

    Heather studied for a masters degree in Library Studies and Information Management at the University of Strathclyde and has an MSc in Human Computer Interaction from 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 frontline colleagues make significant improvements to the lives of their clients.

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    Emily Barker

    COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING OFFICER

    Emily has more than a decade’s experience working in communications. She holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Salford and has applied her skills within a diverse range of sectors, including academia, industry and the VCSE sector. 

    Before joining Ways to Wellness, she worked as a Communications Officer for Newcastle University, supporting Open Lab with its work around Human Computer Interaction.  

    Passionate about working in mental health, at Ways to Wellness, Emily brings expertise in social media strategy, copywriting and media relations to her role, and loves using her skills to shout about projects that make a real difference in people’s lives.  

Meet the Ways to Wellness Link Work Team

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    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

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    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

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    Becca Gray

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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Left to right; Simon Bromhead, Ways to Wellness Head of Development, with Chief Executive Sandra Mitchell-Phillips, and Head of Digital Systems Sonia Townend