Illuminate charity Cambridge Staff and Trustees

Illuminate has over fifteen years of experience using coaching, training and facilitation techniques to overcome, support and manage mental health and wellbeing. Our expertise is specifically in helping people to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives. Our approach is to create a level playing field where coaching is available to people regardless of their personal circumstances. We are passionate about challenging the stigma of talking about and addressing mental health and wellbeing.

The team are warm, welcoming and non-judgmental, balanced with a high degree of expertise and professionalism.

Sam Greenley and Maria Varallo

Our Team

	Sam Greenley - Co-founder and manager Sam has 20 years of experience working in the public and private sectors in business management, and 15 years in mental health coaching. She is a Maths graduate with a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management (2003), and holds Diplomas in Practitioner Coaching (2007) and NLP (2008).
	Maria Varallo - Co-founder and manager Maria has over 25 years of experience in coaching, mentoring, training and now running a charity. She is a qualified post-graduate in Social Work DiPSW and Personal & Business Coaching ICF PG cert. (2007 Barefoot Coaching) and Mental Health First Aid. She loves to ensure a high standard of coaching, courses, workshops and talks.
	Anna Gilchrist - Community Engagement Coach Anna's background is managing the award-winning Dawn Project at Cambridge Women's Resource Centre. She is a graduate of our first Confidence for Change course in 2008 and then became a trustee for Illuminate. As Community Engagement Coach she works with individuals offering signposting to the right service, support through meet-ups online, and if appropriate and safe in person.
	Peta Sweet - Mentor and Coach Peta works with purpose-led individuals and organisations to help them succeed in how they communicate and engage with their world. Peta is a consultant, coach and Action Learning Set facilitator, more on her website here. She supports people and organisations in finding and understanding their values and purpose.
	Vikki Pratley - Associate Coach and Trainer After many years as a practicing employment lawyer and a founding partner of a successful law firm, Vikki suffered burnout. This inspired her to change direction and she retrained as a coach, a licensed practitioner of Liberating Leadership and Pioneering Professional as well as an NLP Practitioner, and founded her business Skylark.
	Jeremy Gulvin - Associate Coach, Trainer and MHFA Instructor Jeremy is a qualified coach (the University of Cambridge Dip.) and holds a certificate in Psychometrics BPS (University of Cambridge). He is also qualified as an Action Learning Set facilitator and Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Jeremy delivers all our MHFA courses. His background is in business development and leadership.

Trustees

	Pam Scott - Chair Pam is retired and has worked in social housing, charities and NHS throughout her career. She is based in Cambridge and is actively involved in fundraising to help Illuminate. In her spare time she helps out with the Riding for the Disabled Association.
	Alan Soer - Trustee Alan is the centre manager at Arbury Community Centre in Cambridge. He was worked with community organisations since 1989. Prior to this, he was in the Army. He has a track record of fundraising and trustee experience.
	Christine Montgomery - Trustee Christine was a registered mental health nurse for twenty years, she went onto complete a degree in Social Work and worked with children and families experiencing complex issues. Christine is also a practice educator and taught health and social care programs.
	Keith Bullock - Trustee Keith is a civil servant who lives in Cambridge and works in Whitehall, he advises on telecommunications policy in the Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport. He has been involved as a business mentor for Illuminate originally through the Cranfield Trust, since 2018.