We are pleased to welcome Sophie Wheeley to the Worcestershire VCSE Alliance team in the new role of VCSE Mental Health Programme Manager.
Sophie is a Qualified Executive Coach and Leadership Mentor with an MSc in Health Care Policy and Management and 20-year experience working in a large NHS Acute Teaching Hospital. She specialised in Informatics, Partnership Working and Organisational Development, developing a collaborative academy across 17 Birmingham Acute Hospitals.
‘I have lived half a lifetime with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, learning to deal effectively with the challenges of the condition using self-taught psychological tools and techniques before receiving a formal diagnosis at age 44. My extensive experience of using mental health services personally throughout my life, combined with my understanding of health policy and management from my studies and research, offers a valuable perspective to feed into the work of the Alliance, its members and partners.’
Sophie is currently undertaking an MSc in The Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing, synthesising up to date research on the current challenges and potential solutions surrounding mental health in today’s society.
Sophie will be managing this Integrating VCSE and NHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Services programme which works with NHS services to support people with mental health and wellbeing challenges to reduce demand on primary mental health care, improve waiting time experience and optimise treatment. The project is being run by the Mental Health Steering Group and is chaired by Steve Brewster, CEO of Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Further updates on this programme will be shared the August Alliance eBulletin and on our news page.
This work is being funded by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust.