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

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

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.

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.

Outside of her role at Ways to Wellness, Jule is an Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor with a small private practice.

HEAD OF FINANCE

Having joined Ways to Wellness in early 2026, Sarah, who is an experienced finance director qualified to Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) standard with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), has focused her career on financial leadership for not-for-profits.

With a degree in biochemistry from Newcastle University, she was seconded to a North East social housing provider while completing management training with a global professional services network, and went on to become its Group Financial Services Manager. Following a decade in social housing, Sarah led financial operations for a large charity before overseeing systems and process improvement initiatives at a number of smaller VCSE organisations.

Since 2020, Sarah has been on the board and finance committee of the Coquet Trust, an organisation providing support to adults with learning disabilities. Currently Chair of Trustees, she enjoys the chance to influence governance on a voluntary basis.