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.

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.

Tamsin - Safeguarding Lead

Tamsin brings expertise in the charity sector, safeguarding and mental health to the blink team, as well as experience of governance roles. She has worked in the third sector for over 20 years, and is currently employed as the Senior Safeguarding Manager (DSL) at YoungMinds, a national youth mental health charity.

Tamsin also holds Expert Advisory roles for safeguarding at Brook, The Diana Award and Fumble, and has strong professional connections throughout the charity sector.

Tamsin's training and background in working in trauma-informed, person-centred and inclusive models ensures that our policies, procedures, practice and training adhere to all relevant legislation and represent best practice.