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.
"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, deliveringMindfulness 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.
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.
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.
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.