Board of Trustees

Bernard worked in the statutory mental health sector since 1978, retiring in 2012 as Assistant Director of adult mental health services in the Western Trust. He has had an association with AWARE from its launch in Derry helping with funding and co-hosting a number of conferences with Gerry Ward. Bernard joined the AWARE Board in 2016 becoming Chair in 2017

A Psychology graduate with a PGDip in Guidance and counselling, Helen has over 25 years of experience in mental health and development. An accredited Professional Coach and mindfulness practitioner, she has been running her Personal & Professional Coaching business since 2007. Helen has been involved with AWARE as a founder member and had various roles including staff member, volunteer and now a Board member.

Alan is a partially retired Civil Servant with over 45 years of service, holding a Diploma in Leadership & Management from the Chartered Institute of Management. He has been an AWARE Support Group Facilitator since 2018, predominantly working between the Newtownards and Bangor Groups.

Alan is extensively involved with mental health support, being a Mental Health Advocate in the Civil Service, Trustee with Sports Mental Health NI, Irish FA Mental Health Champion for North Down & Ards and Sports Chaplain with Sports Chaplaincy UK.  Alan is also a well-known sportswriter in the Newtownards Chronicle.

 Alex has worked within the charity sector in Northern Ireland for over 10 years now, gaining a wealth of experience in both corporate fundraising and the events space. Currently working as the Events & Campaigns Officer for a local charity, her remit spreads the island of Ireland, managing a 6-figure events portfolio.

Having worked for another local mental health charity throughout 2019, Alex then shadowed AWARE NI as part of the Boardroom Apprentice programme in 2021/22. She joined the Board of AWARE NI in April 2023.

Joe Mahon is a broadcaster, probably best known as the presenter of long-running series on UTV, such as Lesser Spotted Ulster and, more recently, Mahon’s Way. Giving up a respectable career as a teacher sometime towards the end of the last century, he first joined the BBC as a radio producer before forming his own production company, Westway Films, in 1996. His first contact with AWARE was about 15 years ago when Gerry Ward asked him to front a television appeal in a BBC charity slot. He has been a keen supporter of this organisation ever since and joined the Board of AWARE 3 years ago.

Marianne is a pharmacy graduate from Queens University Belfast, with extensive experience in various pharmacy settings. She holds a Global Mental Health Masters from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Kings College London. Her research with the Mental Health Foundation focused on the impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in the UK. Marianne currently serves on the board of AWARE NI since 2023.

Sophy is a graduate of Ulster University. She holds a BSc Hons in Psychology, a Diploma in Professional Practice, and an MSc in Applied Psychology (Mental Health and Psychological Therapies). She is a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society. Sophy has extensive experience providing mental health and psychological support, education, and group facilitation across the Community & Voluntary, Public, and Private Sectors. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees for Aware NI since May 2024.

Tommy initially qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 1978 before completing training as a Registered General Nurse. He subsequently returned to Mental Health services gaining experience in both in-patient services and then as a Manager of a Community Mental Health Team. Prior to retiring in 2012 from Mental Health services in the Western Trust, he was Head of Service for Mental Health Primary Care & Crisis Services. He joined the Board of Trustees for AWARE NI in November 2024.