Meet the Team

Dr Asha Patel

CEO & Clinical Psychologist

On leap year day in 2016, I took a leap of faith and handed in my resignation to find Innovating Minds. My guilty pleasure is trashy TV, and I love to cross stitch.

Lisa Allen

Operations & Systems Manager

Having spent the last 15 years working as a business consultant I am obsessed with helping people turning their visions into a reality.

I am thrilled to be a part of a purpose driven organisation that enables me to use my skill set to ensure that we make sustainable changes nationally, to improve access to mental health support for children and families.

Outside of work I can be found providing a taxi service to my three teenagers/preteens.

Deborah Merrick

Senior Relationships Manager

Having worked in a role supporting some of the most vulnerable children in the education sector, I am really excited to work with Innovating Minds; an organisation that is so passionate about improving children's mental health and to enable them to strive.

I have amazing family and friends, and love nothing more than spending quality time with them, walking, relaxing and enjoying their company.

Jessica Harris

Healing Together Programme Coordinator

My career to date has seen me working in the legal profession for almost a decade, supporting a huge range of clients in a wide array of different matters. I'm really passionate about providing help and support to individuals so that they can empower themselves and create change. Now, as a part of such a pioneering and groundbreaking organisation, I can truly fulfill this in the most meaningful way. 

I love to travel and outside of work you can probably find me planning my next adventure to a far flung corner of the globe to add to my list of experiences from climbing a waterfall in the Caribbean to bathing an elephant in Thailand!

Lex Pearce

Office Manager

With a substantial career within healthcare environments, including the NHS, I am delighted to be continuing my business operations journey with Innovating Minds as an Office Manager, supporting those dedicated to helping others.

Helping people has always been a key foundation in all aspects of my life, continuing to do this at work gives me great fulfilment and a sense of purpose.

Outside of work I have a great interest in motorsport, occasionally marshalling at motorsport events and driving any interesting cars I can get my hands on. I like to combine this with travel adventures wherever possible.

Jane Evans

Co-Creator of Healing Together, Lead Trainer and Childhood Trauma Expert

Jane is known internationally for her work with parents and children. She’s also the author of a number of books to which help adults explore and discuss difficult issues with children including one on domestic abuse called 'How Are You Feeling Today Baby Bear?'

Julie Revels

Healing Together Trainer

Julie is a nationally renowned trainer and consultant. She is regularly called upon to deliver keynote speeches, facilitate workshops and support development to Local Authority teams. Julie is proud to work with a wide range of services and teams, schools and settings across the country to share and embed knowledge and understanding of attachment, trauma and resilience.

She is committed to delivering high quality CPD where all participants are warmly welcomed and involved in the sessions and who then have the confidence and knowledge to take their learning into their practice on a daily basis.

Nikki Holmes

Consultant; Gender-Based Violence & Exploitation

 I am delighted to be working with Innovating Minds and feel that the ethos of Safer Together really aligns with the fantastic and accessible child centred work that they do. I am pleased to be able to contribute our expertise in the fields of gender-based violence and Child Exploitation to support the development of two very much needed programmes which will support children, young people, their families and the professionals that support them. 

Sharmina Akhtar

Healing Together Programme Facilitator

Having studied psychology, I've always been captivated by human behaviour and the mind. I've had the privilege of working with remarkable charitable organisations, assisting domestic abuse survivors, mentoring children, and conducting mental health programs. Additionally, I've provided direct support to families in my role as an early help family support worker. On a personal level, I'm deeply passionate about increasing awareness of trauma and advocating for mental health support. In my spare time, I volunteer with Inspirited Minds, where I facilitate workshops to combat mental health stigma and challenges within the Muslim community. Beyond my volunteer work, my remaining free time is dedicated to raising my two little humans and spending time with my loved ones. 

Anita Galbraith

Administration Coordinator

I have worked as a Medical Secretary with the NHS for 15 years and have always had a passion for helping people.  I am now excited to be working for Innovating Minds. I am looking forward to the new challenge working alongside dedicated colleagues who have the same passion to support and care.

Outside of work, my husband and I love to travel and have had the opportunity to visit some amazing places from the plains of the Serengeti to the rainforest of Guatemala.

When I am not doing this, you will find me walking my little rescue staffy, Tia.

Katie Cunneen

Research Assistant

Since graduating with a degree in Psychology in 2019, I’ve worked in patient centred roles, witnessing the effects of early intervention on people’s lives. I’m currently undertaking a MRes Clinical Psychology degree so I can gain a greater depth of knowledge and experience around mental health, interventions and evidence-based practice.

I’m working at Innovating Minds to be a part of a team that genuinely cares and adopts a client-focused approach in everything they do. I believe in their values and wish to adopt them in any future endeavours I take part in.

When I'm not studying or volunteering, I’ll most likely be playing and learning new instruments to add to my repertoire.

Heather Ellender

Social Media Executive

My interests lie in helping and empowering individuals to achieve their potential in all aspects of their lives.

I worked as a Senior Assistant Psychologist for Innovating Minds for 2 years and have now moved on to a training post to qualify as a clinician with Birmingham University. I am delighted to still be working for Innovating Minds, part-time, as a Social Media Executive. I love writing about the exciting growth and news of Innovating Minds on our online platforms, and sharing helpful resources to enable our service to support the emotional wellbeing of more children, young people and adults.