Mental health and wellbeing conference 2025

Pat Burgess joined the Army in September 1992 in a career that saw him from Trooper, through Tank Commander to Regimental Sergeant Major and Commission to officer. He is the lead for UK Defence Mindfulness. He created and leads a collaboration with 12 international Defence Forces including teaching Ukrainian military psychologists, created and delivers Mindfulness courses for UK Defence and runs weekly defence-wide online Mindfulness sessions. His course content and delivery is endorsed by the Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Central Awarding Body (CPCAB). He was awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List and received an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) from Glasgow and Caledonia University in 2022, to recognise his tireless work in bringing mindfulness to Defence and beyond.

Steve is the Charity for Civil Servants’ Community Outreach Coordinator and has been with the Charity for six years now, delivering talks across government on all the Charity is able to provide people with. Steve delivers weekly introductory talks on the Charity and bookable talks for groups of over 80. He also heads up the Events Volunteers team.

Professor Binna Kandola is a business psychologist with over 40 years of experience and a deep passion for diversity and inclusion. The author of 12 books exploring a range of diversity topics, including gender, race, disability, and LGBTQ+ issues, his upcoming 13th book focuses on psychological safety. As senior partner and co-founder of Pearn Kandola, Binna was awarded an OBE for services to diversity and disadvantaged people. An award-winning author, he has won a global award for his impactful social media campaigns.

Antony is the area lead for Merseyside and North West at Andy’s Man Club. He’s been in the role for a year now after getting the job having been a facilitator in the charity. Before this he was a user of Andy’s Man Club.

Alexandra Tokarczyk is an Organisational Psychologist, Executive Coach and a crisis interventionist with over 10 years of practical and academic experience. After years of focusing on improving teams and individual wellbeing across the lifespan she’s now focused on building practical tools for sustainable resilience, mental flexibility and innovation. Her previous roles at substance abuse units and designing accessible team solutions taught her that sustainable success isn’t about grinding harder – it’s about working smarter and knowing your limits.

Alexandra Burge is a Commercial Officer, working for Defence infrastructure Organisation (DIO). Prior to joining the Civil Service, Alex served 13 years in the British Army and retrained as a Primary School Teacher. With over 15 years’ experience in Psychology and a passion for mental health and wellbeing, Alex has been voluntarily delivering mindfulness sessions within Defence since 2023.

Madeleine has worked at OPG since 2020. After several years supporting court appointed deputies and protecting the interests of those who lack capacity to make their own decisions, she moved into the Stakeholder Engagement and Policy team. She enjoys working with organisations across the health, social care and charity sector to ensure that people in England and Wales understand OPG’s services and how to access them.

Former estate agent and housewife, Debbie Harris has been an innovator in the care sector for over a decade. Six years ago, she launched Autumna.co.uk – Rightmove for care homes – which is now the UK’s largest and most detailed directory of care providers for the elderly. Designed to support people during what is often a very stressful time, the platform received over 2.5 million visitors last year. Her free advice line – open 7 days a week – handles over 3,000 enquiries from care seekers every month.

Tamara Hoyton is a Senior Practice Consultant with Relate at Family Action and has been in practice for 25 years. She is a Psychotherapist, Psychosexual Therapist, Young Peoples Counsellor and Family Counsellor. She is consulted with nationally on best practice with families and has experience with carers and the challenges associated with their role. This includes safeguarding and ethical dilemmas that often present for carers who often have multiple caring roles. Tamara’s experience includes working across differing social contexts that present their own specific challenges.

Mohinder Singh-Bal, Contract Manager at DWP, is the spark behind the Sikhs in DWP Network and a board member of the Faith & Belief Network. With years of expertise and a heart full of service, he’s championing inclusion and authenticity at work. His passion’s taken him inside No.10 – twice! As a carer for his wife and daughter, he finds strength in his Sikh faith and in hearing others’ stories. His journey is one of compassion, connection, and creating spaces where everyone feels they truly belong.

Claire-Louise is 51 with two children and recently widowed after caring for her husband for nine years during his battle with a brain tumour. She’s worked for the Civil Service for 35 years and was able to balance her caring responsibilities while continuing to work due to the excellent support she received from her team and manager. She’s currently the Deputy Chair of HMRC Carer’s Network.

Georgie Frayne is a Senior Account Manager at Carers UK, where she’s spent the past four years supporting public and third sector organisations to enhance their digital support for carers. Having a sister with special needs, she has personal insight into the challenges of caring and the profound impact it has on families. This lived experience drives her passion for improving services for unpaid carers.

Suzanne Bourne is Co Founder and Head of Carer Support at Mobilise. An ICF accredited coach, she previously designed self management and training programmes at Parkinson’s UK and has spent years building safe, online peer support for carers. Her connection is personal: she’s an unpaid carer for her husband, Matt. Fun fact: Suzanne co hosts the Carer Catalysts podcast, sharing stories and practical wisdom from the UK’s carer community.

Tanya Tilbury is a trained teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Working in Defence, she runs a weekly mindfulness session and delivers the eight week mindfulness course for staff. Tanya’s mindfulness approach is centred on compassion and acceptance and recognising our shared human experience.

Bianca Jones is Managing Director of EDP Training and an Associate Instructor with MHFA England. Since 2016, she has specialised in mental health and anti-racism education, creating the Race Ahead and Race Aware programmes to support organisations in tackling racism and building psychologically safe workplaces. Her passion stems from addressing the mental health disparities faced by racially minoritised people. With over 1,000 learners trained, Bianca combines lived experience, professional expertise and practical strategies to drive lasting cultural change.

Liana Karim works at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) as Finance and Governance advisor and also serves as an ambassador for the charity National Voice. Her advocacy is deeply rooted in lived experience. As a South Asian woman, Liana’s advocacy is deeply personal – shaped by her lived experience and the cultural stigma surrounding mental health in many South Asian communities. This drives her commitment to challenging taboos and fostering open, inclusive conversations. She plays a leading role in the Mental and Wellbeing Workstream for Ethnic Minorities in the Civil Service, a female-led initiative that promotes inclusive, intersectional approaches to mental health. She is deeply committed to ensuring that the experiences of culturally diverse and marginalised communities are not only acknowledged but actively shape policy and practice across the Civil Service.

Chris is a first-generation immigrant from Nairobi, raised in East London during the 1970s. With Indian heritage and a working-class background, his lived experience reflects the deep intersections of race, identity, and mental health in the workplace. As Wellbeing Lead for HMRC, Chris is a passionate advocate for mental health and bereavement support across the Civil Service. His work challenges stigma, breaks down systemic barriers, and inspires inclusive change.

Louise Sun is a team leader at DEFRA where she is a Mental Health Network Committee member and Mental Health First Aider. She has been a long-standing mental health advocate with a deep passion for raising awareness of and tackling mental health issues in the workplace. As part of this, Louise is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue around cross-cutting, intersectional mental health topics – to help ensure that a broad spectrum of voices, including those from marginalised and culturally diverse communities, are heard and valued. This includes drawing on her own experience as a Chinese immigrant and growing up amongst East Asian communities.

Ros is a mental health nurse and systemic practitioner with over 29 years’ experience in eating disorders. She has developed and delivered training across health, education, and charity sectors, and worked with Health Education England and Beat to create e-learning and resources for professionals and carers. Ros has held senior NHS roles including Clinical Manager, Carers Lead, CAMHS Pathway Lead and FREED Co-ordinator, and is currently a trainer for the Charlie Waller Trust, Beat, and the Priory Group.

Meredith is Head of Office for Skills England, an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE). Prior to this, she worked in positions across DfE and the Department for Transport. She sits on the Organising Committee for the Civil Service Eating Disorders Network and Chairs the Business Support Team Network. Prior to working in government, her work focused on supporting those facing challenging circumstances, including developing policy for young carers, and providing mental health support for students and adults. She’s an advocate for reducing the stigma of mental health in the Civil Service and workplace.

George has worked in the Civil Service for nine years and was a founding member of the Civil Service Eating Disorders Network when she worked in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in 2018. She has lived experience of eating disorders and has working with NHS England on the rollout of their FREED service, an early intervention service for 16-25 year olds suffering from eating disorders.

Dr Annie Clements (hons) is the founder and CEO of the multi award winning not for profit Autism and ADHD. As someone who is ADHD herself, and also has a neurodivergent family, she is well placed to deliver support and training across all areas of the community and feels privileged to be able to connect with families and individuals globally. She loves an adventure and is always looking for new experiences and opportunities to travel.

Nik Holmes is a psychologist and researcher with HM Land Registry where they co-founded the Spectrum Neurodiversity Network, which provides training, support and advice for all HMLR staff. They are a member of the Government Occupational Psychology Profession and studying towards a Masters in Occupational and Organisational Psychology. As an autistic, they enjoy their special interests which they insist on telling their colleagues about, ensuring that HM Land Registry is now not only knowledgeable about land transactions but also capybaras…

Lee is a Learning and Development practitioner and Mental Health First Aid Instructor within Cabinet Office. His specialisms include the field of organisational development, wellbeing and the creation and implementation of award-winning peer support networks. His career has spanned over 30 years within the public sector with extensive experience working within the Police service. This included introducing a framework for the Metropolitan Police during Covid, and for No.10 in regards to the Party Gate investigation and other enquiries that have taken place.

Dame Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College at St Mary’s campus, she has chaired Wellbeing of Women since 2020, hosting webinars and debates on many aspects of women’s health across the span of the life course. She was President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists from 2016 to 2019 and Honorary Secretary of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) from 2018-2023. In June 2022 she became the first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England.

CSgt Rachel Smith is based in London and is principal flute of the Band of the Coldstream Guards and has held that position since joining in 2001. She is passionate about wellbeing and being mentally as well as physically fit, and has been teaching the Defence Mindfulness Course since 2021. She also has a background in teaching yoga and coaching and mentoring.

Dave was the Director of Communications and External Affairs at Anxiety UK. He was responsible for overseeing all aspects of communications, media and public relations, member and supporter communications, podcasts and webinars focused on the promotion of the services available from Anxiety UK for people with a range of anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression conditions. Dave also oversaw internal and external training, IT, website, app development, social media and special projects. He is now a freelance associate for Anxiety UK.

Freya is an Admiral Nurse that works for Dementia UK. She has been working in dementia care for over 20 years. She has worked across many different fields, including the NHS, private sector as well as other charities. Freya had an unusual childhood as her parents ran a residential home and she lived there with the residents up until going to university at 18. So dementia had always been a feature of her life. She also has personal experience as her grandmother passed away from Vascular Dementia 10 years ago.

Lisa works in the Wellbeing Team for the Charity for Civil Servants and has been involved in promoting the Charity’s services, working with applicants one-to-one and liaising with partner organisations. She’s also part of the Charity’s MHFA team. Lisa works closely with the carers’ networks which connects well with her personal experience of caring. She is fluent in British Sign Language and has been able to use this to support deaf civil servants.

Karen is a supervisor in the Money Advice Team for the Charity for Civil Servants. She has worked for the Charity for seven years and is a member of the Institute of Money Advisers. She provides advice to applicants throughout the UK on budgeting, managing money and dealing with debts. Karen previously worked for a housing charity in Northern Ireland for nine years providing advice and court representation to people who were at risk of losing their home due to rent or mortgage arrears.

Pete is the Business Manager at Boundless, where he helps people discover the benefits of membership. He has strong public sector roots – his dad was a civil servant, his mum was a nurse, and his wife is a teacher. He was also a teacher himself, so appreciates the dedication and challenges faced by public service workers. He’s come to really value the importance of maintaining self-care, a healthy work-life balance and making time for the people who matter most. And a little personal trivia: he met his wife on an eight-hour flight to Mexico!

Nicola Tait has been in the RAF for 27 years, first as a Regular then transferring to FTRS in 2014. She is currently a Learning Support Mentor for RAF Apprenticeships. Nicola completed Mindfulness Teacher training in 2019 and has since delivered workshops, and speaks regularly to groups, about the benefits of using Mindfulness to build resilience and overcome stress. A committee member for Defence Mindfulness since 2020 she offers weekly sessions to build awareness of compassion for self and others.

Mike Adams is a champion for accessibility issues and is passionate about ensuring all aspects of work and play are disability inclusive for the 24% of the UK population who have a disability. His working career has been focused on changing the disability conversation. Ensuring the commercial benefits of £274 billion purple pound and the social common-sense imperatives are understood and unlocked for all businesses and leaders wanting to tap into the rich disability market both in terms of customers and potential employees. Mike is founder and creator of Purple Tuesday, an international initiative to improve accessibility, and EnableAll, an accessible digital solution. Mike was awarded an OBE for his services to disability in 2012.

Charlene currently leads the Purple Tuesday initiative, which aims to promote accessibility and disability inclusion globally. Through her leadership, Charlene ensures that hundreds of organisations receive support on their disability inclusion journeys each year. She has over 25 years of experience working to create a more socially responsible world. Her key focus has been on improving life opportunities and experiences for disabled people. She has first-hand experiences within her family and close network which includes living with mental health, cancer, visual and hearing impairments, dementia, and neurodiversity and these personal connections drive her passion for making a difference.

Michelle is currently responsible for delivering all Active Wellbeing campaigns, initiatives and events. Utilising her extensive knowledge of customer insights and habits, Michelle has dramatically increased engagement, ensuring far greater brand recognition, retention, and value. A real champion of wellbeing inside and out of work.

Data-driven and insight-led, Matt Phelan co-founded The Happiness Index. He helps companies link culture to performance, drawing on insights from millions of employees globally. With insights from over 37 million data points, he helps organisations connect culture and performance. Matt hosts The Happiness Index podcast, is a sought-after international speaker, and authored the influential books “Freedom To Be Happy” and “The Happiness Index”.

Sarah’s first consultancy role was with a government client – and the experience got her hooked. She was inspired by the massive difference government programmes could make to citizens. The impact couldn’t be higher. The work was interesting, made a difference and really fired up her passion. Sarah joined Baringa in 2019, after over 15 years of working as a consultant. Whether it’s setting up a new organisation, developing commercial strategies or delivering large-scale IT systems, Sarah loves combining cross-industry insight and deep government expertise to drive better outcomes. A focus on outcomes and a solid grounding in the practical and pragmatic (no time for hypotheticals in a crisis) has seen Sarah work collaboratively with civil servants on some of the toughest problems to face the country.

Georgina is an SEO Policy Advisor at HM Treasury, having joined the Civil Service nearly two years ago as a direct entrant after a career change from primary school teaching. Whilst still navigating this transition, Georgina founded the Career Changers Network within the Darlington Economic Campus and HMT. As co-chair, Georgina works to ensure people moving into the Civil Service have the support and connections they need to thrive.

Nat is currently working as an AO in operational delivery for the Department for Work and Pensions. Nat joined the Civil Service last November as a direct entrant, having graduated in the summer of 2024. Nat was particularly attracted to the Civil Service by it’s compassion and flexibility, having had some health issues in his final year of university.

Jess is a policy designer at the Department for Education, working on teacher training policy and digital service design. She joined the Civil Service two years ago via the Fast Stream Summer Diversity Internship and is passionate about supporting those early in their career, particularly from under-represented backgrounds, to enter, and thrive in, the Civil Service.

As Employee Experience and Engagement Officer at the Department for Business and Trade, Anna helps to shape a workplace where people feel connected, included, and supported. Anna focus on enhancing engagement and the overall employee experience. Wellbeing is central to this, because when people feel cared for, listened to, and empowered, they can bring a sense of belonging to work, and feel supported both in and beyond the workplace

Barry is a Universal Credit Case Manager at the NI Department for Communities. Barry joined the Civil Service through the Operational Delivery Apprenticeship Scheme, gaining hands-on experience and formal qualifications, where he had fantastic support from management, support officers, and an on-site mentor throughout his apprenticeship journey. That experience has inspired him to pay it forward by helping others feel supported and confident as they begin their careers within the Civil Service

Amber is currently wrapping up the Project Delivery Fast Stream, where her final posting has been as a Business Case Manager at The Department for Work and Pensions on the Synergy Programme. Amber joined the Civil Service because, like many people, she likes to help others and feel that her work is doing good! Amber cares deeply about social mobility and widening participation, which has lots of links to early careers support and managing wellbeing.