Meet the Team

by | Nov 12, 2021

Emma Sithole

Founder and CEO

Emma is a casual lecturer at the University of Birmingham, teaching on topics including mental health recovery and psychosis.

Her previous roles include working for Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and within secondary education in Birmingham.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys spending time in her garden, relaxing with friends and a good box set.

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    Jacinta

    Chief Operations Officer

    Jacinta has been working with The Recovery Foundation® from the beginning, helping form the charity and deliver the services that we offer.

    She is a mother to two gorgeous children, works at BMet College as a lecturer and has her own experience with mental health.

    In her spare time, Jacinta enjoys catching up with friends, Netflix and cooking.

    jacinta@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

     

    Angela
    Creative Arts Director

    Angie’s role gives her the opportunity to use her love of creating art to encourage others to have a go in a relaxed environment, where no previous experience is necessary.
    She encourages people to learn new skills and realise the positive impact that creativity has on their mental wellbeing.
     
     
    angie@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

     

    Jenella

    Youth & Community Director

    Jenella is a mother to four amazingly energetic boys. Her life is full of fun, giggles and Lego! She loves socialising, festivals and being around her friends.

    Jenella looks after the Hope Community and, as she has always had a passion for youth work, she also oversees Moving Mountains, our programme for young people.

    Jenella has battled with her own mental health, and continues to use the tools she learnt through completing a Hope Group.

    jenella@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

     

    Natalie

    Development & Partnerships Director

    Natalie completed a Hope Group and, because she connected immediately with the values of the charity, she trained as one of its course facilitators.
    This has enabled her to get involved with what she is passionate about, and to give her support by helping at local art workshops run by TRF.
    Natalie’s personal life experiences have made her appreciate how vital it is to look after our mental health.
    In her spare time, she enjoys socialising, long walks, and practising mindfulness.
    She feels continuously blessed to have amazing support from her beautiful family and friends.
    natalie@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

     

    Katie

    Teaching & Learning Consultant

    Katie was born and raised in Birmingham, but now lives in London with her husband Aaron and son Joss. 

    She is a primary school teacher and has a diverse role within TRF: delivering training, producing social media content, as well as writing a series of books for children which sensitively deal with various issues around mental health and identity.

    Katie can be found either reading or singing when she’s not at work (and, of course, trying to keep up with her little boy!)

    katie@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

     

    John

    Facilitator: Rainbow Minds Matter

    John grew up in Shropshire, then spent seven years in London before settling in Birmingham in 2007.

    John met the hope Team in his role as Erdington Town Centre Manager, and he was privileged enough to work with them on several pilot projects.

    As an open and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, John helped establish the Rainbow Minds Matter programme, and he facilitates their groups. He is thrilled to be meeting so many new members of the community, as well as sharing ideas for mutual support. 

    john@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

    Tim

    Training Development Consultant & Facilitator of Rainbow Minds Matter

    After growing up in the Midlands, Tim now lives in Norfolk with his long-term partner, Steve.

    Tim’s first job was designing adverts for the national gay press in London, before working as a subtitler.

    Now, Tim not only delivers training, but writes some of it too. He feels privileged to have been involved in establishing and facilitating Rainbow Minds Matter groups. After getting his start working in the gay community, Tim feels like he’s finally coming home.

    tim@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

    Charlette

    Facilitator: Moving Mountains and Hope Groups

    Charlette has a natural connection with young people, and she feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing young people through the Moving Mountains programme. She enjoys sharing the knowledge and skills she has gained from being both a youth worker and a support worker with a youth homelessness charity. 
    Charlette has also had her own personal struggles with mental ill-health and draws on these experiences to help others in their recovery. She loves to spend time at home with her family: gaming, or binge-watching box sets. She is also pretty good at DIY and always has a little project going on in the house to keep her busy.

    charlette@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

    Jodie

    Facilitator: Mending Minds 

    Jodie initially came to the charity at a time when she was suffering from mental ill health and little did she know that participating in one of the Hope Groups would turn her life upside-down in such a profound way.

    Jodie has become a facilitator and has created two programmes: Mending Minds and Independent Living Skills.

    TRF has allowed Jodie to get involved with the things that she’s passionate about – enabling individuals to feel empowered to manage their own mental health, and supporting individuals to become independent.

    In her free time, she enjoys socialising, travelling, and going to festivals.

    jodie@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

    Amanda

    Facilitator: Woodland Wellbeing and Maternity Cover for Hope Community

    I am involved with the Woodland Wellbeing project helping people to experience the great outdoors in small, safe, friendly and encouraging groups.
    I also teach furniture upcycling and delight to see people discover their creativity as they enjoy “experimenting” with old, tired furniture, bringing it a new lease of life.
    In my spare time I love creating beautiful spaces in my garden, sewing and charity shop mooching.

     

    amanda@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk

    Helen

    Facilitator: Woodland Wellbeing

    Helen finds her wellbeing in nature and, after training as a forest school teacher, she became passionate about helping others to discover the healing nature of the outdoors. 

    As part of her role as a freelance forest school practitioner, she runs Woodland Wellbeing groups for The Recovery Foundation®. 

    When she is not hugging trees, or whittling things out of wood, she loves to go wild swimming and to spend time with friends.

    helen@therecoveryfoundation.org.uk