Who we are

Just Ideas draws on the experience and skills of its two Directors, Helen Garforth and Richard Usher, to ensure that we are responsive to your organisation’s needs rather than letting our services dictate what we can do. We work collaboratively with other organisations and individuals to extend our reach and expertise, across the UK and internationally.

Our team

Helen Garforth

Helen Garforth

Director

With 20 years’ experience of cross sector working I am a specialist facilitator, writer and researcher. I have particular expertise in participatory learning and engagement, a passion for turning talk…

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Richard Usher

Richard Usher

Director

My love of working with people and organisations to enable them to reach their potential has driven twenty years of work in the UK voluntary sector and international development organisations.…

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Mary Singleton-White

Project Co-ordinator and Marketing Lead

Mary supports Just Ideas’ research, evaluation and facilitation and leads on marketing and communications. Mary is co-ordinator for the Reading schools’ Model Climate Conference with InterClimate Network. Mary particularly enjoys…

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Associates

Aideen Blackborough

Associate

Aideen writes: “Having been born with Cerebral Palsy, I am a passionate disability campaigner, trainer and writer. After studying Business Management…

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Ali Carroll

Associate

Ali works primarily in the voluntary sector for Reading Mencap supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and…

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Charlotte Pace

Associate

Charlotte is an Associate of Just Ideas and is a facilitator and action researcher undertaking a variety of projects within the…

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Dr Esther Oenga

Associate

Dr Oenga is a researcher with a specialism in using participatory approaches to help multiple stakeholders to address the issues…

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Laura Wallis

Associate

Laura is founding Director of Debating Mental Health Ltd. She has been designing and facilitating participatory training and conversations around mental…

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Leila Baker

Associate

Leila is an Associate of Just Ideas and is a researcher with 25 years’ experience in the public and voluntary…

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Lisa Meaney

Research Associate

Lisa is a researcher specialising in co-production of knowledge and brings to the Just Ideas’ team over 20 years of…

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Shae Eccleston

Associate

Shae is a creative consultant, author and corporate trainer. She works with corporate clients, organisations, creatives, visionaries, researchers, health care…

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Amardeep Kainth

Associate

Amardeep is a Social Development researcher and practitioner, with a particular focus on Communities; Race; and Gender. She brings a…

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Michila Critchley

Associate

Michila has been an independent consultant since 2007, and is an Associate of the charity InterClimate Network (ICN). Michila’s core…

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Natalie Ganpatsingh

Associate

Natalie is founding Director of Nature Nurture CIC  an award winning community organisation, enabling people to connect with wild spaces. As…

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Veronique Jochum

Associate

Formerly Head of Research at NCVO, Veronique is a freelance social research consultant, with substantial experience of designing, managing and…

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