AoC Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025

Christina Beaumont has worked with children and young people for over 15 years in both the arts and charitable sectors. She is currently studying for a doctorate in Education focusing on how creative practice can be used to co-create effective educational environments for neurodivergent young people. Her research explores the potential for creative practice to make learning more accessible to young people who experience the world differently, and to develop pedagogies that are more convivial and capacious, valuing different ways of being in the world and the richness this can bring to educational experiences.

At the Brain Charity, Christina co-facilitates workshops of ‘physiotherapy through dance’ and ‘occupational therapy through art’ for children and young people with neurological conditions, helping to develop fine and gross motor skills, balance, strength and coordination, as well as confidence and communication skills. She is also a Neurodiversity Trainer and uses her personal and academic experience to introduce businesses and educational institutions to the Neurodiversity Paradigm, which understands neurodiversity as a natural form of human diversity that strengthens the human population, providing valuable insights through different ways of experiencing and understanding the world.

Claire Shea-Simonds is the Programme Manager – Post 16 at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). Claire has been at DofE for 8 years but prior to coming to DofE she had almost 12 years working in Further and Higher Education. Alongside teaching and course leadership, Claire had numerous additional responsibilities and leadership roles, including delivery of enrichment and employability programmes. Claire’s sector experience has supported her in leading DofE’s Post 16 strategy delivery over the last 3 years at the charity.

Jo Ireland is the FE project manager for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Jo has been with the DofE Charity for 10 years, mostly as an Operations Officer in Sussex, supporting organisations delivery the DofE Award but moved to her current role in 2024 to support the Post 16 Programme Manager. Prior to working for DofE Jo taught for 10 years in a college, where she also started the DofE and ran the college sport enrichment programme.

Louise's background spans all Education sectors, Local Authority Advisory and Inspection Service, and the charity sector. This diverse experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of education provision and broader social issues. In her current role, Louise drives strategic initiatives to enhance the Group's external position while fostering organisational growth, securing over £45M in inward investment over the past seven years. She has also established and led regional collaboration networks on Green and Digital Skills development through the Local Skills Improvement Fund and the London LSIP.

Louise developed LSEC’s 2018 nationally recognised social enterprise strategy, then developed the national Good For Me Good for FE campaign. Launched in 2021, it builds on the success of the #FEFoodBankFriday initiative, engaging over 155 colleges and driven over £4 million in social value since its inception. The campaign works organisations to create opportunities that support positive mental health and well-being, enabling students to develop vital skills for employment and maximising the sector’s positive impact on local communities.

Jane Belcher has worked at South Essex Colleges Group for twenty years starting her career as a Student Adviser before moving into careers and then management. She has always been part of student services and with management came the safeguarding service. Safeguarding, and everything that comes with that service, is a challenge but also so rewarding. Putting students at the heart of what they do is what keeps her in this role and also trying new approaches alongside her team, colleagues and our partners. She has led the Matrix Standard for the past 6 reaccreditations and was so very proud for safeguarding to be highlighted as a strength in this year’s assessment.

Asini Wijewardane serves as Managing Director, UK & IE for Uwill, the leading global mental health and wellness solution supporting more than 3 million students at 400+ institutions. A Boston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 honoree, Asini Wijewardane has also served as Uwill's Director of Counselor Success, building, developing, and managing Uwill’s global counselor community. With broad leadership and operational experience across three continents, her career includes roles in social enterprise, consultancy, business development, and project management, in addition to non profit organisations such as Cancer Research UK. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Middlesex University, UK, an LLB from University of London, UK, an MBA from the Olin Graduate School at Babson College, USA, and an MSc in Analytics from Harrisburg University, USA.

Erin Andrews serves as Director, Global Clinical Affairs for Uwill, the leading global mental health and wellness solution supporting more than 3 million students at 400+ institutions. Erin is the creator and driving force behind Uhelp, Uwill’s high-risk and trauma solution that has changed the landscape for students in immediate need of mental health crisis support. As a Licensed Mental Health Counsellor with an expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy, Erin received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Furman University and master’s degree in mental health counseling and wellness from New York University.

Zeinur Bimukhan is an international student from Kazakhstan currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth. Alongside their studies, they work as a Climate Action Plan Coordinator with the SOS-UK, where they contribute to developing sustainability plans for schools in England. Their role involves delivering workshops to young people on topics such as green careers, biodiversity, and climate change.

Though not formally trained, they have a strong interest in psychology and sociology—particularly in understanding how trauma influences the mind and body, as well as the psychological barriers to pro-environmental behaviour.

They have a keen interest in exploring how language and culture influence the way people perceive and discuss nature and are currently, conducting research at the University of Plymouth on “How Green and Blue Spaces Provide a Natural Ecosystem Service to Mental Wellbeing in Plymouth”.

Mark Finnis is a prominent UK-based international speaker and author specialising in restorative and relational practices within education and public services. He collaborates with schools, local authorities, and children’s services to foster cultures grounded in empathy, trust, and meaningful relationships. Through his organisation, L30 Relational Systems, Mark supports organisations in implementing restorative and relational practice that prioritise human connection and relational leadership. His work emphasizes the importance of designing cultures intentionally, ensuring that values are actively lived rather than merely displayed.

Mark is the author of the best-selling book Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice, which offers practical strategies for building stronger communities and improving behaviour through relationship-centred methods. He is highly sought after as a keynote speaker and trainer, known for his engaging and authentic style that resonates with educators and leaders across various sectors. For more information about his work, you can visit his website at L30RelationalSystems.co.uk.

Sam Gunnarsson was appointed as the Vice Principal Learner Experience in October 2023, previously holding a position in another FE Institution as Wellbeing and Safeguarding Manager. Sam’s portfolio includes Wellbeing, Safeguarding, GDPR, Complaints and tutorial. Since being in post there has been a review of the Wellbeing and Learner Services team, introduction of Smoothwall (a safeguarding software), a revised tutorial programme, embedding of a trauma informed and anti-racist approaches, and CPD opportunities being available to all members of staff. Sam graduated with a BA (Hons) Child and Family Studies degree and achieved an MSc in Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education. Personally, Sam enjoys being active, exploring new places and reading.

Sara Fowler was appointed as the Vice Principal/Chief Operating Officer in November 2014, after joining the College in 2006 as Head of Finance. After working for a number of years in the private sector, Sara joined FE in 1995 before moving to Higher Education for a 5 year period, returning to FE following the merger of the College with the University of South Wales. Sara has a diverse portfolio which encompasses Finance, HR & Equality, Infrastructure and Health & Safety, along with cross college responsibility for Mental Health and Wellbeing and is the Designated Safeguarding Person for the College. Sara commenced her post compulsory education in FE studying a vocational qualification, then continued to study part time to support her career pathway. Sara has a MA in Leadership and Management in FE, achieved in 2014.

As the Group Head of Wellbeing and Relational Practice at the Luminate Education Group, Gemma has been pivotal in shaping the strategic direction and implementation of wellbeing initiatives for both students and staff, as well as the Group's relational practice framework.

With over two decades of experience leading projects and teams focused on community welfare across Leeds and Yorkshire, Gemma brings a wealth of practical expertise. Her insights have been shared through publications like her Education Today article on redefining mental health and wellbeing in further education.

Bethan is the Workforce Wellbeing Coordinator at Luminate Education Group, where she leads the organisation’s Wellbeing Champion Network and Menopause Advocates. Her work focuses on embedding a culture of care and support through strategic development, training, and staff engagement initiatives.

She recently authored Luminate’s Workforce Wellbeing Strategy and developed the Mental Health Crisis Procedure, both of which are key documents in enhancing support systems across the group. Additionally, she designs and delivers a variety of wellbeing-related workshops and training sessions for staff.

Karen has worked as the HR Policy and Process Manager for Luminate Education Group for just over 3 years. She has gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of Human Resources from her roles within both the private and public sectors. As well as working on people policy development, her current role within Luminate also focuses on areas such as reward and recognition of staff and all things wellbeing.

In addition to her HR qualifications, Karen has just completed a Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship. Some of the projects Karen has implemented or collaborated on include working towards Menopause Friendly Accreditation, cost of living support for staff and various wellbeing and fundraising initiatives. She delivers training for staff in areas such as menopause awareness, equality diversity and inclusion, and the power of self-promotion.

Gemma Sarigu is third year psychology student at the University of York. She is really enjoying developing a better understanding of mental health and how different interventions can support people with mental health struggles. Alongside her studies, she is a Climate Action Plan(CAP) Coordinator with SOS-UK. This involves supporting schools to create their CAP i.e. list of actions they are going to take to fight climate change. As a CAP Coordinator, she gets to work with amazing young people that are leading on climate action their schools, by delivering workshops on sustainability issues like green jobs and climate adaptation and supporting them with the brainstorming of ideas for their CAP.

Dr Kristin Hildenbrand is a Lecturer in Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at Sheffield University, and part of the Teaching Staff at the Academic Institute for Higher Education in Hamburg, Germany and an Academic Advocate and Mentor for the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education.

Rob Winter is an experienced safeguarding and student support professional with over 14 years of dedicated service in the education sector. He currently holds the position of Head of Welfare and Wellbeing at an outstanding Further Education (FE) college, where he leads the strategic direction and delivery of safeguarding, mental health, and wellbeing provision.

In his current position, he manages complex safeguarding concerns, develops and implements policy, and leads staff training to ensure compliance with statutory duties. He is committed to embedding a whole-college approach to wellbeing and early intervention, ensuring students feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Peter Mayhew-Smith has worked in lifelong learning sector since 1988. He has worked at Lewisham College 1998-2010, first as Head of School, then Director of Faculty and finally as Vice-Principal Quality and Curriculum. He became became Principal of Kingston College in April 2010 and developed Federation with Carshalton College, implemented in 2012. In 2017 he became Group CEO of merged South Thames Colleges Group, which was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in February 2020. He leads the South London Mental Health Trailblazer across six London Boroughs since 2019 and the South London sub-regional response to London LSIP.

Tim brings many years of experience supporting young people to reach their potential, and to overcome the negative impacts caused by stereotyping, stigma and lack of opportunity. This was gained facilitating service delivery improvements working across the public, private and third sectors, with a focus on health and wellbeing, as well as a decade working with employers to improve career opportunities for students and graduates.
His work with MHF has focused on building the capacity of organisations, peer groups and individuals to embed a structured and preventative mental health approach into their daily activities.

Christina Beaumont has worked with children and young people for over 15 years in both the arts and charitable sectors. She is currently studying for a doctorate in Education focusing on how creative practice can be used to co-create effective educational environments for neurodivergent young people. Her research explores the potential for creative practice to make learning more accessible to young people who experience the world differently, and to develop pedagogies that are more convivial and capacious, valuing different ways of being in the world and the richness this can bring to educational experiences.

At the Brain Charity, Christina co-facilitates workshops of ‘physiotherapy through dance’ and ‘occupational therapy through art’ for children and young people with neurological conditions, helping to develop fine and gross motor skills, balance, strength and coordination, as well as confidence and communication skills. She is also a Neurodiversity Trainer and uses her personal and academic experience to introduce businesses and educational institutions to the Neurodiversity Paradigm, which understands neurodiversity as a natural form of human diversity that strengthens the human population, providing valuable insights through different ways of experiencing and understanding the world.