Team Profiles
Our team is made up of passionate individuals who work tirelessly to support and represent the interests of the sector. We believe in the power of local social action and are here to inspire and support residents in making a difference in their communities.
Alan
Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant
No bio available.
Amanda Murfin
Office Manager
No bio available.
"We are all on our own journey in finding balance, how we find it is very personal and needs to be guided by ourselves, with the support of the selfless".
I embarked on a lifelong journey of exploring mental health and wellbeing in ways that make it relatable. Mettaminds started its humble beginnings as a vehicle promoting 'loving kindness' (metta meaning 'lovingkindness' in Pali). As a dedicated practitioner, delivering Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme (MBSR) and teaching meditation, Tai Chi, NLP, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), all paved the way in creating programs designed to open up the many possibilities and alternatives there are in achieving 'balance' or better mental health. Today Mettaminds provides alternative wellbeing programmes in many different community settings.
Gary has had over the last 7 years worked as a qualified Specialist Notetaker and support to people with disabilities across several universities in the West Midlands. Prior to that, had various roles with the retail company B&Q, from store, regional and company level to store development.
More recently, Gary has pursued his other passion of developing a career in the voluntary sector and reflects his family history from his home city of Cardiff, from the Fire Service to the Royal Observer Corp and later Ship Corp. His own volunteering started in Penarth as a Cub Scout leader for 4 years and later in Walsall in 1997, in setting up a Police Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the area. From 2005, contributed over 15 years of volunteering with Citizens Advice Walsall and for a short period as their employed Community Engagement Officer with Citizens Advice Sandwell and Walsall.
Gary has a Master’s in Social Welfare, Policy and Law and a BA Hons in Advice Studies and is currently exploring a PhD! In his spare time, he enjoys spending time out and about with his wife Martine (or Mart for short!) as well developing his other interest in model making, which remain in kit form at present!
Nigel began work as a telephone apprentice and served his apprentice and career in and around telephony and new technologies. Having worked for O2 as head of Corporate face to face events for the last 20 years , Nigel has implemented some of the most advanced technologies and experiences of their day . From launching the first Blackberries and the worlds first always on always connected car in 2000 to running 10 years of touch rugby tournaments at Twickenham with corporate customers and the England rugby squad members. Over the last 10 years raising in excess of £1.5m for good causes. Also the holder of 4 Guiness World records.
Now a consultant working locally offering advice on the 3 circles of event management and also running local music festivals and Urban celebrations that bring local people together and empower them to punch above their weight for the good of the community . Director of Willenhall Lock Stock CIC the biggest social event annually held in Willenhall.
Nigel plays drums in a local Blues band , and a grand father of 3 , all who will eventually play drums.
Email: nigel.dutton@beeventz.co.uk
Website: www.beeventz.co.uk
Nordia Philpott
Trustee
No bio available.
Parmy Kaur
Partnerships, Development &
Communications Officer
No bio available.
Following graduation from Bristol University with a 2:1 honours degree I attended law school for 6 months and then undertook a 2 year training contract with a firm in Manchester city centre being admitted to the solicitor’s profession in June 1977.
Initially I worked in the criminal law department appearing regularly in the Magistrates Court and preparing cases for the Crown Court this I did for 2 years before being offered a partnership in the firm. Continuing with my criminal practice I worked with other partners to build a network of offices in the suburbs of the City and had joint responsibility for locating staffing and managing the offices on a day to day basis.
In the following years I undertook legal work in a range of disciplines including Family Law, Wills and Probate, Company and Business Law including negotiating and drafting a range of agreements for Partnerships and Companies and Court work arising out of commercial disputes.
I became involved in Commercial Landlord and Tenant cases including the drafting and negotiation of Leases for office and industrial premises, disputes arising between Landlords and Tenants and ancillary work around Commercial Property law.
In 1990 I set up my own practice working with Manchester City Council and other Social landlords dealing with Anti Social behaviour cases and similar court work.
As the practice expanded I took on other areas of law affecting the social housing sector and became an acknowledged expert in Housing law providing legal and training services across the country. The firm developed a reputation as trusted adviser to many clients in relation to regulatory and governance matters.
Over the course of 2018 I entered into negotiations with another law firm to take over the business which came to a successful conclusion in September 2018 securing the employment of all staff and the continuation of client services enabling me to retire from practice after 40+ years.
Physiotherapy Student Placement
Wolverhampton University, Physiotherapy Students
No bio available.
Ruby graduated from Aston University in 1999 with a BSc in Maths & Computer Science. Since then, Ruby has worked in the corporate sector delivering IT solutions to a wide range of organisations across multiple industry sectors. Since having her daughter during lockdown, Ruby has decided to look for a better work life balance and this has bought her to One Walsall and the Voluntary sector.
Ruby has raised money for various charities in the past through sky diving, running a half marathon and taking part in Race for Life but is now looking to pursue a career in the Voluntary sector and hopefully put her skills to good use. In her spare time, Ruby enjoys going for long walks, reading a good book and baking.
Samuel
Communications Volunteer
No bio available.
Hi, I’m Sandra, and I’d like to share a little about my journey in the charity sector.
While studying Psychology at Aston University, I knew I wanted to work closely with people. I began volunteering with Victim Support in Birmingham, supporting survivors of crime one day a week. It quickly became the highlight of my week and confirmed that this was the path I wanted to follow.
After graduating, I started my first role in 2007 as an Antisocial Behaviour Project Officer. A year later, I met a newly arrived family who had been targeted by hate crime. They had no voice and no one to advocate for them. That moment stayed with me and led me to a role supporting asylum seekers and refugees—work I’ve continued since 2008.
In 2017, I joined the Refugee and Migrant Centre in Walsall, managing the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Since then, I’ve worked on the Afghan resettlement schemes, Homes for Ukraine, the UK Resettlement Scheme, and many more. In 2021, I joined the Senior Management Team and completed an ILM Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management.
I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning and am currently pursuing a Level 7 qualification in Leadership Coaching. It’s a skillset I’ve found incredibly valuable, and I’m passionate about making coaching more accessible to others.
Since arriving in Walsall, I’ve seen first-hand the town’s incredible community spirit and vibrant third sector. I feel privileged to have been appointed as a trustee of One Walsall and look forward to supporting this amazing organisation.
Sharon Martin
Partnerships & Development Officer
No bio available.
Simon Harlin
Trustee
No bio available.
Tracey
Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant
No bio available.
Vicky Hines is CEO of One Walsall [Nov 2022]. She has worked across the West Midlands, starting her career at Wolverhampton City Council in the mid-1990s, working in Housing Strategy & Development & Neighbourhood Renewal. She then worked across Worcestershire as an Investment & Regeneration Manager at Homes England previously the Homes & Communities Agency.
For the last 11 years, Vicky has worked at Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless people and was the Strategic Lead for Birmingham, West Midlands.
For the last 6 years she has coordinated advice and support services, serving vulnerable clients experiencing poor housing, homelessness, debt, poor health and other challenges. Over the years, Vicky has been able to work at a strategic level developing key partnerships and securing major funding.
Joining One Walsall, Vicky is keen to work alongside those working in the Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise sector to strengthen their ability to tackle social injustice and support social action across Walsall.
