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Our Community

Humans Being is community-led. Our members, volunteers, staff, associate facilitators and directors have our own experiences of mental ill-health and dealing with the challenges and pressures that society puts on us because of our genders. 

We’ve been through a lot and sometimes we still struggle, but we’re passionate about tackling issues that change the way we talk about gender and mental health.

By connecting as communities and exploring the positive things that we have to offer, we are stronger. We will bring about change for the better, for ourselves and each other.

Humans Being Directors

Meet our board of directors.

Heather Vickers

Heather Vickers
I've worked for grassroots mental health organisations in Leeds for over 20 years as a Finance and Development Coordinator. My own mental health journey has made me aware of how much people's mental wellbeing is affected by their gender and passionate about enabling communities to improve their own wellbeing.

Duncan Millard

Duncan Millard
I've seen the damage that gender role expectations do to people - my friends, my family and myself and communities. At the same time, seeing people break through the limiting expectations that have been put upon them, raise each other up, dare each other to take a new step and do something different, blows my mind and gives me hope.

Heather Vickers

Duncan Millard

Fra Panella

Heather Vickers
I've worked for grassroots mental health organisations in Leeds for over 20 years as a Finance and Development Coordinator. My own mental health journey has made me aware of how much people's mental wellbeing is affected by their gender and passionate about enabling communities to improve their own wellbeing.
Duncan Millard
I've seen the damage that gender role expectations do to people - my friends, my family and myself and communities. At the same time, seeing people break through the limiting expectations that have been put upon them, raise each other up, dare each other to take a new step and do something different, blows my mind and gives me hope.
Fra Panella
As a recent migrant to this country, I’ve encountered many barriers to my integration such as accessing services, education, employment and housing. Overcoming these barriers and my passion for enabling people to do the same has brought me to focus on the empowerment of individuals and communities.

Humans Being Non-Executive Directors

Robin Ellis

Robin Ellis
I joined the board because I believe in the philosophy of the organisation. I like the inclusion ethos - this is something I'm passionate about in my work and personal life. I have worked for the NHS for over 15 years in a clinical mental health role - in particular ethnic minorities and health inequalities.

Thuja Phillips

Thuja Phillips
I joined as a Director as I felt as though I might be able to offer support and have always been passionate about helping people.

Jason Long

Jason Long
I work in mental health and aim to reduce the stigma surrounding the subject. I believe everybody deserves kindness, compassion, and respect and can thrive in the right environment. I joined the board because I can see the work Humans Being does breaks down barriers and gets people thinking and talking about their mental health and well-being.

Robin Ellis

Thuja Phillips

Jason Long

Robin Ellis
I joined the board because I believe in the philosophy of the organisation. I like the inclusion ethos - this is something I'm passionate about in my work and personal life. I have worked for the NHS for over 15 years in a clinical mental health role - in particular ethnic minorities and health inequalities.
Thuja Phillips
I joined as a Director as I felt as though I might be able to offer support and have always been passionate about helping people.
Jason Long
I work in mental health and aim to reduce the stigma surrounding the subject. I believe everybody deserves kindness, compassion, and respect and can thrive in the right environment. I joined the board because I can see the work Humans Being does breaks down barriers and gets people thinking and talking about their mental health and well-being.

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Noshad Qayyum

Noshad Qayyum
I am a broad/podcastor who works within Education and media. I participated in the Wellman Activist training run by Duncan. This inspired me to get more involved with community work, as well as learning and understanding how to engage people who experience mental ill-health.

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Noshad Qayyum

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Noshad Qayyum
I am a broad/podcastor who works within Education and media. I participated in the Wellman Activist training run by Duncan. This inspired me to get more involved with community work, as well as learning and understanding how to engage people who experience mental ill-health.
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Humans Being Facilitators

Our mental wellbeing facilitators are lived-experience practitioners who share a huge diversity of life and career experience of the barriers and factors that can lead to mental-ill heath. They are passionate about helping our communities find ways to connect, to support themselves and each other.

Sue Hoey

Sue Hoey
I’m a freelance facilitator with my own personal and family story around wellbeing and mental health. Working with Humans Being combines my core passions: supporting people to be who they want to be and working with local communities to recognise the strengths of the people who live in them.

Rozi Fuller

Rozi Fuller
I'm an artist, animator and creative facilitator working with various communities across Leeds and West Yorkshire. I love how using art as part of the Humans Being wellbeing courses helps people process complex ideas that can improve their lives.

Saphra Bennett

Saphra Bennett
I am a dynamic facilitator and trainer with almost 15 years’ experience of holding space for diverse groups. I work in a way that encourages deep, honest connections, finding strength in vulnerability through active listening and sharing the vast and varying experiences of what it means to be a woman.

Sue Hoey

Rozi Fuller

Saphra Bennett

Sue Hoey
I’m a freelance facilitator with my own personal and family story around wellbeing and mental health. Working with Humans Being combines my core passions: supporting people to be who they want to be and working with local communities to recognise the strengths of the people who live in them.
Rozi Fuller
I'm an artist, animator and creative facilitator working with various communities across Leeds and West Yorkshire. I love how using art as part of the Humans Being wellbeing courses helps people process complex ideas that can improve their lives.
Saphra Bennett
I am a dynamic facilitator and trainer with almost 15 years’ experience of holding space for diverse groups. I work in a way that encourages deep, honest connections, finding strength in vulnerability through active listening and sharing the vast and varying experiences of what it means to be a woman.

Kerri Butterworth

Kerri Butterworth
I’m passionate about the power of creativity and conversation to help people find personal and collective growth tools. It's a privilege to hold space for people to explore what it means to be human and what it means to be a woman. Art can help people access the subconscious; it’s a beautiful tool to aid the journey.

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Sally Golightly

Sally Golightly
I am a Lecturer and an experienced facilitator with a background in social justice. I currently hold a range of education-based training and creative workshops. As individuals, we were never meant to face life's difficulties alone, and I enjoy holding safer spaces where people can have open, honest and tender conversations. Human Beings combines my belief in personal autonomy and community to bring about personal change and growth.

Kerri Butterworth

Fra Panella

Sally Golightly

Kerri Butterworth
I’m passionate about the power of creativity and conversation to help people find personal and collective growth tools. It's a privilege to hold space for people to explore what it means to be human and what it means to be a woman. Art can help people access the subconscious; it’s a beautiful tool to aid the journey.
Fra Panella
As a recent migrant to this country, I’ve encountered many barriers to my integration such as accessing services, education, employment and housing. Overcoming these barriers and my passion for enabling people to do the same has brought me to focus on the empowerment of individuals and communities.
Sally Golightly
I am a Lecturer and an experienced facilitator with a background in social justice. I currently hold a range of education-based training and creative workshops. As individuals, we were never meant to face life's difficulties alone, and I enjoy holding safer spaces where people can have open, honest and tender conversations. Human Beings combines my belief in personal autonomy and community to bring about personal change and growth.

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Natalie Davis

Natalie Davis
I have a passion for creating safe spaces which enable women to overcome personal barriers, realise their potential and improve their wellbeing. I find it incredibly inspiring to see women share their knowledge, discover their confidence, learn from one another and reach their goals.

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Natalie Davis

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Natalie Davis
I have a passion for creating safe spaces which enable women to overcome personal barriers, realise their potential and improve their wellbeing. I find it incredibly inspiring to see women share their knowledge, discover their confidence, learn from one another and reach their goals.
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