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
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
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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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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