Trustees of Pothafren

For nearly 30 years Tim was employed by major internationalorganisations to manage their corporate, financial and public affairs before forming his own company, Stonehenge Public Relations in 2002. InApril 2007, Tim sold Stonehenge to College Hill Associates. Prior to forming Stonehenge, Tim was Director of Corporate Affairs at Standard Chartered plc for eight years (1994-2002) responsible for public, government relations and issues management worldwide. He worked as international engineer and constructor Trafalgar House plc from 1992 until its takeover in 1994. At GrandMet plc. (1984-92), which later merged with Guinness to form the world's largest drinks company Diageo, and at Occidental Petroleum (1974 - 84) - where he worked directly for Chairman Dr Armand Hammer. Tim holds a diploma from the Communications, Advertising and Marketing Foundation, of which he was Chief Examiner (Public Relations) 1977-1982, and is a Fellow of the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations. In 2008 he was named as one of the top 100 most influential PR men in Britain Tim is also Chairman and a founder of Crechendo Limited, a childcare training organisation in the South East, and Chairman of True Earth Organic Limited/Milford Collection, a Newtown based Welsh gifts company. He is a Trustee and vice Chairman of The Ponthafren Association, and a Trustee of the Llandyssil Community Charitable Trust. He is an elected Councillor for Abermule with Llandyssil Community Council. Tim lives with his partner in Wales and has three daughters and four grand children.

Moyra was born in South Africa where she attended Rhodes University and worked for a Merchant Bank before starting her own business. After starting a family she trained as a swimming teacher and was a founder member of the Southern Transvaal Swimming Teacher's Association. During the apartheid years she organized a group of teachers who visited Soweto to offer swimming sessions to local children. She was also very involved with the Girl Guide Association. After moving to Mid-Wales she became involved with many similar activities and was appointed Public Relations Officer for Montgomeryshire Guides. She is still treasurer of the Otters Swimming Club for the Disabled, a post she has held for over 20 years. At the same time she and her husband established a highly successful restaurant and 'Best in Britain' Guesthouse. Moyra studied through Open University and gained BSc (Hons) (1997), Diploma in Systems Practice (1999) and BA (Hons) (2005). As well as continuing to run the business she enjoys teaching ICT and has designed websites for Ponthafren as well as Newtown U3A and Mill Close Residents Association. As Vice Chairperson of Ponthafren it is her aim to raise the profile of the organisation and to this end is involved with the Public Relations Group which visits various organisations to give presentations about the achievements of Ponthafren.

I have been interested in and supportive of Ponthafren since it was started by two users of the services in the early 80's. My GP and psychiatric experience here in north Powys showed to me a dire lack of adequate appropriate NHS services and Ponthafren has proved the power and vision of ordinary people. We have lived in Llanidloes for 36 years as doctors and farmers and parents of 3 boys and a girl two of whom still live locally. My husband has worked for MSF in many places and we have recently been working together in Africa. At the moment we are involved in helping our daughter whose partner is paralysed after a Quad bike accident - a steep learning curve.

Pat Bufton has been a member of Ponthafren for a number of years and a Trustee since 2008. She is also a Volunteer Support Worker and goes to the Llani Outreach group on Thursdays. Pat's work background is in retail and she is now with the Co-operative Group sitting on the Area Committee, Regional Board for Cymru/Wales and also the Regional Values and Principles Committee. These work to support the Co-operative business and the members.

Amanda is originally from West Yorkshire, and came to Mid-Wales in 1983 to study English at Aberystwyth University and fell in love with the Mid-Wales region. She moved to North Powys in 1998, where she is very well settled, along with two dogs, one horse and one cat. Amanda has a BA (Hons) English (1986), Diploma in Health and Social Welfare (Open) (2005) and PGCE (Post-Compulsory Education and Training) (2006). After graduating from Aberystwyth University she had a variety of jobs, and also spent time travelling in Europe. She was working in arts marketing in 1991 when the mental health and physical impairments experienced for much of her life became too much to cope with. After many years of re-adjustment, she returned to work in 2003 as a self-employed mental health and disability trainer/consultant. 'I am hugely thankful to Ponthafren for all the support and encouragement I was given, and still receive, to reshape my life in line with my interests and aspirations. I am active in the mental health service user and disability movements, for example as a Shaping Our Lives National User Group member. I have learned a great deal and had much support from other service users, and get a deep sense of fulfilment from promoting the rights of disabled and disenfranchised people to reach their full potential, according to their own aspirations. I am a keen writer and artist, and am working hard at the moment to develop my writing and arts work. I am studying for a Masters degree which will combine my interests in mental health and disability issues and the arts. I am a strong advocate of arts and creativity as a way for people and communities to thrive and heal.'

Jan is a member, Voluntary Support Worker and trustee, involved with so many aspects of Ponthafren. She volunteers in Newtown and at the Welshpool Outreach. She helps run the Arty Crafters group and works tirelessly in the garden. One of her specialities is encaustic art which is always popular when the Public Relations Group visits other organisations to give presentations and craft workshops. The quality of her work is amazing - her artwork was chosen for an exhibition at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Jan is a fantastic fundraiser for Ponthafren, manning stalls (and producing many of the items for sale), taking part in the London Marathon and Across Wales Walk. Her philosophy is that she tries to put as much into Ponthafren as she gets out.

Frank is 57 years old, Birmingham born and worked in commerce and administration before taking an art degree at Stoke on Trent. He set up home in Newtown 25 years ago working as a technician for Oriel Davies gallery and painting landscapes for himself. He ran art classes at Ponthafren and many different art projects over the years. As the art director of Newtown's Community Art Project he helped organise the May festivals. Frank taught art at Coleg Powys, before his present job, teaching art to excluded schoolchildren at The Old College Newtown where he also helps lead the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Frank believes in the power of art to be able to change people and places and takes delight in the artistic process itself.

Tracy has always lived in this area, going to school locally and now working locally. She has two children and the family enjoy living in this beautiful part of the country. After working with children for a long time, she decided to retrain as a Counsellor which is what brought her to Ponthafren. By volunteering at Ponthafren, she aims to offer a counselling service to its members. Tracy also hopes to be an effective Trustee, helping to support and develop the services offered at Ponthafren.

My name is Sharon Jenkins and I am a mum of two, living and working in Newtown. I have been working with Powys Youth Offending Service working with post court Referral Orders, for over 6 years. I also run a one to one mentoring scheme for young people involved in our service. Previously, after graduating from Leeds University, I worked at Ponthafren as a Development Worker, and as a Coordinator of the Befriending Service through the Community Mental Health Team. I have continued to stay involved with Ponthafren, as a Trainer, writing and developing the Volunteer Support Worker Training Course, alongside other personal development courses. Having started my career many years ago at Ponthafren, I have a great deal of passion about the excellent work and support the charity offers, and I am hopefully able to maintain that interest and support through my work as a Trustee.

Stephen is a long term member and Trustee. He is also involved with the Wildlife Trust.

Awaiting information for pen portrait.