OUR TEAM
Darren Thomas
Founder and CEO Darren Thomas's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of community support. As an Army veteran who served in various conflict zones, Darren faced his own battles with mental health upon leaving the armed forces. Despite encountering obstacles in accessing support services, Darren turned his personal struggle into a mission to help others in similar situations.
His experience led him to establish a community-based boot camp during the challenging times of the 2020 pandemic. This initiative provided a lifeline for individuals grappling with mental health issues, offering them a sense of purpose and camaraderie. By documenting his journey through vlogs on social media, Darren not only shared his story but also fostered a network of support that quickly grew throughout Wales.
With the support of friends and local organizations like Dragon’s rugby, Darren founded Signposted Cymru, a self-sustaining charity dedicated to mental health and well-being services. Committed to inclusivity, Signposted Cymru ensures that no one seeking mental health support is turned away. Through the dedication of its Trustees and backing from community leaders, the charity has flourished, expanding its reach and resources.
Today, Signposted Cymru operates from a dedicated facility equipped with office space, therapy rooms, and a local sports hall, enabling the delivery of its comprehensive well-being programs. Darren's vision and determination have not only transformed lives but also established a beacon of hope for individuals facing mental health challenges in Wales and beyond.
Darren's personal motto, "Acknowledge Strive Succeed," encapsulates his journey of overcoming adversity and inspiring others to do the same. As a father of four, he continues to lead by example, demonstrating the importance of resilience, compassion, and community support in navigating life's challenges.
Erika Bennett
Erika has been part time Volunteer Lead Coordinator/ Administrator with Signposted Cymru since September 2023, being one of your first points of contact based at the office.
Erika graduated from UCL with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in European Business at UWE.
Erika has over 20 years’ experience as a Practice Manager in Dental and GP surgeries and spent several years in the Primary Care Support Unit at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, before taking time out to bring up her two children and manage a self-build.
Erika is passionate about supporting Signposted Cymru through her role as she has seen first hand the effects poor mental health has and the difficulties in accessing support, she is also part of the Signposted Cymru boot camp family.
Sarah is a Counsellor/ Psychotherapist within private clinical practice.
Her approach is professional, safe and non-judgemental, offering you an impartial space to freely discuss your presenting issues. Making the first step is often the biggest one! Investing in yourself is a powerful tool.
Sarah has Specialist CYP & Families Training in DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) where she will be a Level 2 informed practitioner as of 2024
Sarah is an Accredited EMDR Clinician and Trauma Specialist. EMDR - (Eye, Movement, Desensitisation, Reprocessing)
Sarah is a Member of the BACP, BABCP and AFT
has worked as an affiliate Therapist for Signposted Cymru for the past 3 years.
Helen Tuck
A devoted mother to neuro diverse children, Helen advocates tirelessly for inclusivity and understanding.
Previously
leading a support group and contributing to vital documents in the Parent Network, Helen drew inspiration from Darren's social media during Covid-19.
Now, she passionately supports Signposted Cymru through securing funding for the charity, reflecting her commitment to positive change.
Karen Helen Bracegirdle
Karen started working in Mental Health in 1997 as a support worker for the local authority so this
is where her journey began and her passion for mental health. Karen decided that she wanted to become a Qualified Nurse.
and studied at the University of Glamorgan in 1999, and qualified as a RNMH in 2002.
Karen has achieved so much in her working life and has enjoyed the journey of working alongside individuals who experienced mental ill health of varying degrees.
Much of her work over the years has included social inclusion, education, promoting wellbeing and the
importance of physical activity and physical health.
Her approach was always holistic.
Karen Howell
Karen has run her own successful business for over
20 years, before deciding to embark on
further studies as a mature student in
counselling.
Her passion for mental health has been spurred on
by seeing the benefits within her own family
and Signposted Cymru provided this support for them.
Karen has completed levels 1, 2, 3 in counselling
and she is currently completing FdSc person centred counselling level 5 and 6 through
Worcester university.
Hayley Timms
Hayley has been working in the Mental Health field since 2010, and is a fully qualified
counsellor and works in different settings and sectors, including a Primary School, Cancer Charity,
Primary Care with Vitality as well as with Signposted Cymru.# She is an experienced talking therapist and
has a Wellness business which offers counselling, yoga, reiki, mindfulness, wellness workshops, yoga
and wellness retreats, organic products.
Hayley works 1:1 and in group settings. She is passionate about mental health and is able to hold space for
individuals on a wide range of issues.
She enjoys working with Signposted Cymru as it allows her to make a difference to the life of individuals,
helping to empower them to make healthier lifestyle choices, from simple breathing and relaxation
techniques to bigger goal setting for their future. The work is varied as each client is unique.
Hayley particularly enjoys working with children and young people, working creatively, allowing them to lead the
session which empowers them to make choices to build their confidence and resilience.
She sees every new counselling client as a butterfly in a jam jar, during the sessions I help them to grow their
wings, remove the lid and leave the jar, flying solo. It humbles me every time.
![[removal.ai]_25d3f5cf-c297-40f5-b789-1c36f7e8640f-signposted-cymru.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8bd455_d260969878d14f518bfdf808595b6ea7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_200,h_200,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/%5Bremoval_ai%5D_25d3f5cf-c297-40f5-b789-1c36f7e8640f-signposted-cymru.png)
Lisa Thomas
Lisa is passionate about supporting people to the best version of themselves. She has worked in the mental health and wellbeing field for 30 years, mainly in substance misuse, people with additional support needs, primary care and as a private therapist.
She started studying counselling in 1995 and has a Masters Degree in CBT and integrated Therapies since 2003 and gained extensive additional qualifications and training over the last 30 years. As an integrative therapist, she offers a very bespoke person centred approach and has also been a holistic therapist for over 20 years, so if you are referred to Lisa then she will probably offer you a combination session of talking therapy and some wellbeing aspects eg mindfulness, meditation and relaxation techniques, auricular acupuncture, reiki. I see people at my workspace in Penderyn or via zoom. I supervise some of the therapy team as ethical practice is an integral aspect of the approach to the work.
I am very very proud to be involved with Signposted Cymru since October 2020, and seeing how it’s grown and developed and the amount of people the charity has supported either individually or the community it has grown through, boot camps, walking groups, expeditions etc has been amazing to observe. What I offer is a small part of the service and it’s an honour to support those who have accessed the service. I don’t hold a big caseload on behalf of Signposted but have really enjoyed the connections with the persons they have asked me to support.