STAND TO Derbyshire VCS Strategic Planning Group Members
Claire Carter
Derby University
I work for the University of Derby and support the organisation in its armed forces covenant responsibilities. I sit on the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership meetings and liaise with the East Midlands regional employer engagement director to bring together opportunities within our organisation and to work with others. I work across our organisation to encourage opportunities with the armed forces community and charities. I currently supporting our research centre with some Derbyshire focused research on our armed forces community.
Mick Earle
Mad About Training
I served from 1985 to 1997 with 21 SAS (Army Reserve) after which I worked mainly as a corporate Learning & Development/Behavioural Change Consultant. Between 2010 and 2015 I designed and managed the ‘Normalisation’ (Post-operational Stress Management) Programme for British Army Counter-IED (bomb disposal) teams returning from Afghanistan and other conflicts.
From 2015 to 2017 I had various roles promoting and fundraising (both volunteer and contracted) for ABF The Soldiers Charity. I’m currently contracted as a Learning & Development Business Partner for an engineering firm with locations in the UK and US and Chairman (Team Leader) of the Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation (70 volunteers who form the most active Cave Rescue team in the UK). I have connections with ABF, the corporate world and Veterans in Derbyshire (of which I’m one!).
Claire Helliwell
Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
I joined the Women’s Royal Army Corp at the age of 17 and celebrated my 18th birthday in basic training. When I joined we wore a red teardrop behind the badge on our beret, this meant we were non-combatant. However shortly after joining this changed and we were weapons trained. I trained as a driver in both HGV and staff car, spending the majority of my time with the Army Air Corp in Middle Wallop. After leaving the Army I struggled to adjust to civilian life, the Army had given me stability and so I moved from job to job. Eventually I returned to education and gained more stable employment in a range of administrative roles working for several county councils. In 2003 I went to university to study Occupational Therapy and in 2006 I qualified. To date I have spent eleven years working with males with severe and enduring personality disorders, this was challenging but very rewarding work. I have also worked within a community setting and acute inpatients. As of the 3rd August I will be returning to work with people diagnosed with borderline/emotionally unstable personality disorder in a new service set up within Derbyshire Healthcare. My passion is about using all the skills and experience I have gained over the years to help our service men and women return to a life worth living.
Gareth Harry
DHCFT- Director of Business Improvement and Transformation
Gareth began in post as the Trust’s Director of Business Improvement and Transformation on 1 June 2018. Gareth joined the Trust from his role as Interim Director of Contracting and Performance for the Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Executive Lead for Hardwick CCG.
A resident of Derbyshire, Gareth has also previously held posts within NHS England and NHS East Midlands. Gareth is familiar with the Trust’s services, funding and challenges through his role at Hardwick CCG, the lead commissioners for mental health services.
Andy Ramratton
DAAS CIO Trustee
Experienced Corporate Head with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Employee Benefits Design, Employee Engagement, Shareholder Protection, Employee Training, and Audits of Employee Benefit Plans. Worked with ‘Blue Chip’ companies and SMEs designing their employee benefit solutions designed to retain, attract and motivate employees.
Father and Grandfather ex Royal Navy with a combined service of 50 years, previously a member of the Territorial Army. Single parent, with interests in Rugby and Cricket (almost retired!!!)
Andrew Holt
Andrew Holt is a former Royal Marine. On leaving the Corps he served as a police officer for thirty years and retired as a Deputy Chief Constable. He lives in the High Peak and was appointed to the East Midlands Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee in 2020. As a veteran of the Falklands War and having witnessed first hand some the effects this had on fellow veterans he takes a keen interest in all aspects of veteran’s welfare.
Shaun Brown
Centre Manager, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield
As a veteran who has been through a lot of issues myself when I was medically discharged from the army in March 1998.I was not offered any help from the army nor had I been given any sign postings to any other services. I found it a massive struggle and still do fitting into civilian life and I ended up becoming a security officer as this was the closest line of work I could find that was similar to army life. I struggled with my mental health as I was diagnosed with PTSD ( which later was classed as The Gulf War Syndrome blanket)
Much later through a veteran I know, I was invited to the Wallis Barracks event for Stand To and after listening to what the team and clients of Stand To had to say I decided that the role of DAAS/STAND TO Trustee was for me. I have been to an event with Stand To and have spoken with AJ, Alison, Danny and a client who attends the project and can see how passionate they are and how they help veterans with feelings of isolation and depression. This is something that I was never able to seek help with and I was unaware of the great work DAAS & Stand To carry out. This made me more determined to become a trustee. I now represent veterans on the DAAS CIO board of Trustees, supporting and helping promote the service where I can. I am pleased and proud to now also be a member of the STAND TO CVS strategic Planning Group, providing my input and experience to help the ST staff team steer their projects and continue to do their excellent work.