Our managers

Kerrin Page

Chief Executive Officer

Our mission is to make sure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. “In essence, I work on behalf of our trustees to deliver that mission,” says Kerrin. “And to ensure we are a well run, safe and aspirational organisation. That involves building a strategy, moving forward and planning for the future.” Kerrin assumed his current role in 2023 after seven years as deputy CEO. Before that he was a senior manager in the probation service. “The most rewarding part of my job now is seeing how our services can make a change. You know, really seeing the value that West Sussex Mind brings to the local area, and the positive impact it has on the community.” In his spare time, Kerrin enjoys walking, reading and gaming – and is also kept busy by his two children.

Kate Scales

Head of Operations

“I get really excited about supporting our teams to develop solutions to meet local needs,” says Kate, who joined West Sussex Mind in 2020. “Even in that time, I've seen how we've been able to respond, make changes and deliver services to communities that might not have been accessing them before.” Kate manages the service managers that support some of our frontline teams and helps them to improve the range and reach of the services they provide. She is also responsible for building partnerships with other organisations and takes a lead on equality, diversity and inclusion. Alongside her work Kate has a passion for nature. “I like camping and I love gardening. Being surrounded by nature is what really drives me and it also supports my own mental well-being.”

Leanne Challen

Head of Mental Health Services

Leanne worked for a national charity before joining West Sussex Mind in 2023 to fill a brand new role on the senior management team. She oversees our crisis prevention, Pathfinder and older people services. Having grown up in Sussex, Leanne is keen to play a part in the community mental health transformation programme. “Working for an organisation that addresses the stigma of mental health is quite important to me,” she says. “I feel like it doesn't get given the same importance as physical health. I know it's improving, but it feels like there’s a disparity.” Leanne herself has found a way to balance both: “I find swimming is very good for my mental health. I know it's not always easy, but just taking that time each day to do something for yourself is really important.”

Tina Brownbill

Head of Performance and Impact

Every charity needs to know if it’s doing its job well. Tina oversees the collection of information about the services we provide and the impact they have on the people that use them. This helps us to improve and develop services while demonstrating the quality of our work to stakeholders, funders and the local community. Tina discovered an aptitude for data while working in libraries before moving into the charity sector some 20 years ago. She joined us in 2019 and is part of the senior leadership team. She is also a volunteer shepherd who looks after sheep on the Sussex downlands in her spare time. “Away from work, I like to engage with wildlife and nature. Even if it's just a quiet walk through the woods or listening to birds.”

Debbie Watkins

Communications and Fundraising Manager

Debbie’s role is to make sure people know about what we do. She is part of the senior leadership team and acts as an ambassador for the charity. Debbie leads on communications and fundraising, managing a team responsible for our website, social media and brand identity as well as raising funds. She joined us in 2017 with a background in journalism and a passion for healthy living. “I really enjoy my work raising the profile of West Sussex Mind so people who need us know we're here to support them,” says Debbie. “Something I also like is seeing people having so much fun raising money for us at our events. It’s about letting people know about our services and all the important work that West Sussex Mind does – and how we need to raise money to fund this.”

Denise Gibbs

Head of People and Governance

Denise has been working with West Sussex Mind since 2014. In that time our charity has grown both in terms of the services we provide and the areas we cover. Denise has overseen the staffing side of this development, ensuring we are well equipped to support more people year on year. Over time her role has also changed; she now provides strategic leadership around HR and governance, supporting and advising the CEO and Head of Operations on these key areas. Having previously worked for a national charity with children in care in West Sussex, Denise has also had volunteer roles as a race director for Kids Run Free and a co-host for Mental Health Swims. She looks after her own well-being by hiking, doing yoga or dipping into the sea all year round.

Mandy Middleton

Finance and Resources Manager

Mandy oversees our finances and keeps our systems and processes relevant to our growing needs. She joined us in 2011 after a career in banking and customer service. “I've seen an awful lot of change,” she says. “Our size means we can react to the needs of the community. There's never a dull moment. I think it's partly why I enjoy the job because no two days are ever the same.” Mandy also provides stakeholders with high-quality financial reporting which ultimately ensures the efficient use of the funds we receive. “Basically, if I can make the money go as far as possible, we can support more people. That and the people I work with are just wonderful.” Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, riding her bike and being outdoors.

Kim Anthony

Children, Young People and Families Services Manager

A former primary school teacher, Kim joined us in 2019 after seeing how prevalent mental health challenges were becoming in schools. She now manages four separate services for parents, children and young people in various areas across West Sussex. These are geared around equipping people with tools and strategies for better managing mental health. Kim oversees recruitment, development and commissioning as well as supporting the staff who deliver the services face to face. “I love working at West Sussex Mind because of its values and the general environment,” says Kim. “That’s what drives me. Supporting people to have the best start they can in a world that’s really challenging and in an education system that's really overstretched. It’s great to work with people who are led by the desire to improve the communities we're living in.”

AJ

Communities & Inclusion Manager
AJ joined West Sussex Mind in 2023 with a background in outreach and homelessness support, helping people experiencing rough sleeping and multiple disadvantages.

She manages our Polish and Ukrainian outreach projects, covering all the areas that West Sussex Mind operates in. AJ also manages the chair of our equality, diversity and inclusion panel. Her role involves supporting the development of organisational plans and priorities around raising community awareness, anti-stigma and equality, diversity and inclusion work.

AJ says: "As a natural defender of people in the community who are in need of support, finding ways to reach those in the community who may experience barriers comes from deep in my heart, and I am up for the challenges this mission presents."

AJ is a music vinyl collector and has lots of experience in community events, so you may find her dancing or embracing the therapeutic essence that music can bring.

Jo Bulis

Communities in Mind Service Manager for Chichester, Arun and Adur

“I like getting the best from people and helping them to do wonderful things for others,” says Jo. She manages a small team that provides services for older people who may be feeling isolated or lonely. She is involved at all levels making sure service users are listened to and staff and volunteers are supported. With a background in drama and performance, Jo became a manager at West Sussex Mind in 2015 after working for the Alzheimer's Society. “There’s nothing nicer than seeing a room full of people laughing and chatting,” she says, referring to the group sessions her team runs for people aged 65+. “That's what I really love to see, that they trust us and feel supported.” Outside of work Jo enjoys bringing people together by performing in her local choir.

Adam Howell

Pathfinder and Emotional Well-being Services Manager for Worthing

Our Emotional Well-being service is based in GP surgeries where our Mental Health Support Coordinators can spend a longer time with patients than a GP is able to. Adam oversaw the initial stages of this service before it was rolled out across all of Sussex. He also manages the Pathfinder adult mental health services in Worthing. Adam joined us in 2016 after working for different local Minds in other parts of the country. “The thing that I really enjoy is the support and belief that West Sussex Mind has shown me in terms of my own development,” he says. “The organisation seems to genuinely care about the staff”. Adam also runs a weekly pub quiz in Worthing and can often be seen walking his dog on the beach or up on the Downs.

Toni Holloway

Pathfinder and Communities in Mind Services Manager for Chanctonbury and Midhurst

Toni came to West Sussex Mind in 2003 with a background in social work and holistic therapies. She manages our Pathfinder and Emotional Well-being services covering the countryside north of Chichester and south of Horsham. She’s also the manager of our Communities in Mind service for older people living in those areas. “I love working in rural communities,” she says. “It’s all about getting to know the needs of the community and building partnerships with other organisations. The challenge is that you've got quite a diverse population, so we’re trying to create services that are flexible, responsive and accessible across a wide geographical patch.” When she’s not outdoors in nature, Toni can be found performing in her local theatre or cuddling up with her pet bearded dragon.

Charlotte Dawber

Training Manager

Charlotte runs a small team that delivers training opportunities for local organisations and people in the community. These courses are designed to equip people with the skills and knowledge to help others with their mental health. “It gives them confidence to have those conversations,” says Charlotte. “And you can see the difference it makes. Sometimes it's saving lives. We've had people from our suicide prevention courses say to us that the next day they needed to have that conversation with somebody. And without that training that person might not be here.” Charlotte joined West Sussex Mind in 2017 after working in public sector management learning and development. When she can, she likes to stay active, be it through cycling, kayaking, walking or sailing. She also has two cats and a pony.

Jenny Thorne

Staying Well is an out-of-hours crisis prevention service which offers a safe space for people who feel that they might experience a mental health crisis without extra support. Crucially, it’s open during evenings and weekends when other services aren't available. Jenny manages the service and runs a team of mental health and peer support workers at the Staying Well building in central Worthing. She started at West Sussex Mind in a different role in 2019 after working for a local autism charity. “The Staying Well team are lovely to work with, which is great,” says Jenny. “And sometimes we're working with people who are really struggling or having a difficult time, and then we are able to get them back on track or get them into slightly better space. That's always really nice to see.”

Will Newman

Pathfinder, Emotional Well-being, Peer Welfare and Peer Hub Services Manager for Littlehampton

When Will started working for us in 2019 he brought with him over 30 years of experience in health and social care from previous jobs in the NHS, WSCC and charity sector. His current role is as varied as his background. He now manages four different adult mental health services in Littlehampton, ensuring we meet the needs of communities and individuals in the area. Will supports his team while exploring new solutions to make our services as accessible as possible. He also enjoys learning from the people who access them. “You do get a sense of the difference that we’re making in Littlehampton,” he says. “People tell us that they find it really useful to connect with others through our services, and to learn new skills. Really, it’s about improving the well-being of the community.”