Our Team

Mike - Founder

Seeking help for your mental health can be daunting, to say the least. As a male in their thirties, I thought I had ‘everything’ to be happy. Long term relationship, stable job, house owner, wonderful friends and a dog.

When I noticed a longing sadness that I couldn’t shake, I didn’t seek help because I felt ashamed, embarrassed and confused. I had no idea what help was out there, how to access it, and how any one could help. Especially as I didn’t understand how or why I was feeling like I was.

When I did reach out for help to the NHS, I was too unwell for some services, or not unwell enough for others.

Prior to co-founding blink, I solely founded an award-winning anti-drink drive education program. Some achievements include:

  • Speaking to The World Health Organisation and United Nations at a World Road Safety Congress in Tunisia

  • Winning the Lynda Chalker National Road Safety award for ‘outstanding contribution to road safety'

  • Representing the UK in a European-wide drink drive campaign called ‘European Night Without Accident,’ and at the European Youth Forum for Road Safety in Italy

  • Doing two live interviews on BBC National News and interviews on over 20 radio stations

  • Developing an education pack that fits in the National Curriculum. Local Authorities, Police, Fire and Rescue Services, NHS teams, and schools use this resource nationally.

Dr Alessia Price - Safeguarding Lead

Alessia is a qualified Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience across the NHS and private sector. She brings extensive expertise in safeguarding, psychological governance and leadership within health services.

In her roles Alessia has provided clinical oversight and risk management, and her work has focused on promoting safe, reflective and trauma-informed practice across teams. Her professional background gives her a strong understanding of the legal, ethical and reputational responsibilities surrounding safeguarding. She is skilled in communicating complex information clearly, managing sensitive issues with empathy and professionalism, and working collaboratively to ensure people’s safety and wellbeing.

 Having already volunteered with blink in a therapist capacity, Alessia is excited to contribute to the charity’s continued growth and to help ensure that everyone who comes into contact with blink feels supported and protected. 

Francesca - Operations and Partnerships

 Francesca is a charity and community leader with over 15 years’ experience across the charity and social impact sector, specialising in operations, partnerships and organisational development. She has worked for large charities including Nesta, The King’s Trust and Foundations – What Works Centre for Children and Families.

She has strengthened the operational foundations of mission-driven organisations, led large scale initiatives, and worked closely with boards, funders and cross sector partners to turn strategy into practical delivery.

Francesca has volunteered with blink for the past three years and brings both hands on experience and a strong commitment to improving mental health support.

As Operations & Partnerships Trustee, she provides strategic oversight of governance and operational development, helping Blink build the systems and partnerships needed to grow its impact sustainably while staying true to its values.

Maria - Volunteer Involvement and Engagement lead

Maria has over 12 years experience in the charity sector, specialising in developing services, frameworks and journeys relating to volunteers - who are vital for charities to run effectively. She has worked for huge charities such as St Mungo’s, Prostate Cancer UK, and Royal National Institute of the Blind people.

As blink is a volunteer-led charity, Maria brings years of experience and expertise to make sure our volunteer processes, recruitment, training and experience are top notch and stay competitive.