Meet the Team

Karen joined AWARE in November 2018 after serving 10 years as the CEO of a counselling charity.  Karen’s role focuses on working closely with the Board to ensure the effective governance and strategic planning of the organisation as well as playing a key role in promoting the services of the organisation and lobbying on matters relevant to our users.  Karen has a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Social Policy and whilst having spent most of her career in the community and voluntary sector she also worked within local government and in a non departmental public body.  Outside work Karen enjoys running and spending time with her family.

Clare joined AWARE in February 2018 having previously worked for 10 years in the third sector in both fundraising and service delivery. Clare has substantial experience in corporate and community fundraising, event and volunteer management and new business development. Her current role as Interim Fundraising Manager focuses on supporting her team to deliver key fundraising objectives and helping to raise the profile of AWARE and Depression by promoting events and the services AWARE offers. Clare is very proud to be part of the team that won the Institute of Fundraising NI Fundraising team of the Year in 2019.

Outside of work Clare enjoys running, yoga and spending time with her family and friends.

(being recruited)

Pat has been working for AWARE since May 2000 and is the longest serving member of staff in the organisation. As Head of Services, Pat oversees the smooth running of the Education and Training department. Pat is a keen gardener and loves everything to do with the outdoors.

Patricia joined AWARE in January 2004. Patricia is responsible for the smooth running of the organisation including management of Finance and Human Resources. In her spare time Patricia enjoys walking and zumba.

Tom started to work for AWARE in September 2009. Tom has 30 years clinical and management experience as a mental health professional working within the Belfast Trust area.

Leah joined the AWARE team in 2019. She worked as an artist (Leah McFall) across London and Los Angeles for 6 years prior. Working closely alongside artist will.i.am, Leah liaised with press teams across The Grammy's, BBC's The Voice, and most of the national and regional publications and platforms within the UK. Leah was always an advocate for prioritising mental health within the music industry, and felt passionate about working for AWARE when she had relocated back home to Northern Ireland. She was delighted to hear about the incredible work AWARE has been doing for our community and wanted to be a part of it immediately. Leah hopes her unique experience in communications can play a part in magnifying AWARE's message so that more people know there is help out there for them to access.
Leah enjoys continuing on her artist project, writing songs, recording in the studio, and performing live.

Kate joined AWARE in January 2020 as Communications Assistant. She has a degree and a master's in Journalism and Media and has recently attained professional qualifications in Digital Marketing.  Kate has recently moved home to Belfast after living in Australia for two years and before that, she travelled around Asia for 6 months. Kate is passionate about human rights, current affairs, mental health and making NI a better place to live. In her spare time, she enjoys socialising with friends and family, going to music festivals, yoga & walking her dogs.

Margaret is our Community Fundraiser and works with fundraising teams particularly in the North West of the province. Margaret works closely alongside the Omagh AWARE Committee who have organised some extremely successful fundraising events to date.

Lesley has worked in fundraising for over 20 years. She is responsible for organising community fundraising events and supporting AWARE fundraisers. 

In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, travel and walking her dog, Lulu.

Bridie had been volunteering for AWARE as a support group facilitator for over two years from 2017. She felt passionate about the work that we do here and has since joined the fundraising team as the Corporate Relationship Officer in Derry/Londonderry.

Outside of work Bridie enjoys hiking, photography and spending time with family and friends.

Lisa joined AWARE in November 2019 having previously worked as a Corporate Account Manager with more than 20 years of experience working in sales and key account management roles. Her role with AWARE focuses on supporting our corporate clients - to engage them in our training programmes and to help them extend their fundraising efforts for AWARE.

Orlaith joined AWARE in January 2020 as Events and Communications Assistant in the fundraising department. Orlaith recently graduated from Ulster University with a degree in Communication Management and Public Relations. With 2 years’ experience in the charity sector, Orlaith has a keen interest in mental health in Northern Ireland and hopes to help raise awareness of the importance of having positive mental health and well-being. Orlaith’s role will focus on providing support to the wider fundraising team and managing fundraising communications. In her spare time, Orlaith enjoys travelling, spending time with her family and a good Netflix binge.

Caitlin joined the AWARE team as a Support Group Facilitator in 2019 and in January 2020, she started a new role as an Administrator for the fundraising team. She enjoys facilitating as it gives her the opportunity to help and support those who suffer from depression.  

Caitlin has obtained a 2:1 in Human Resource Management BSc (honours). She has a passion for people and maintaining good employee well-being. Caitlin loves working to support those with mental health issues and encouraging people that it's ok to be not ok.

Catherine joined AWARE in early 2015 as a sessional trainer and later in the year became the full time Education and Training Officer based in the Derry/Londonderry Office.

Catherine delivers training programmes such as Mood Matters and Living Life to The Full. She and has over 20 years experience in working with a wide variety of statutory and non-statutory organisations and has a particular interest in young people’s mental health.

Catherine enjoys spending time with her family and friends in Donegal and walking.

David joined AWARE in 2019 and is passionate about helping educate people about mental health. Prior to this role, David worked for a number of years as a youth and community worker around the East Antrim area. He then became a full-time trainer with a mental health charity, winning an award during his time there and delivered training across Northern Ireland and internationally. In his spare time, he enjoys being with family and friends, reading and spending as much time chilling out as possible!

Marina is the education and training officer for AWARE and the lead on the Parent & baby project. Marina joined AWARE in 2013, having previously been a self-employed trainer and business owner. With a background in HR, personal development training and small business management, Marina has a passion for mental health and well being and has been a practicing holistic therapist since 2006.

Sharon is an Education and Training Officer with AWARE. She has previously worked as a Lecturer in Further Education and in various Learning Support roles for over 20 years. She has achieved a Master's qualification in Education and is a trained Life Coach. Sharon has a passion for developing resilience and good mental health strategies in all sectors of society.

Stephanie joined the AWARE team in March 2020 as the Administrator for our Education and Training team. She has 11 years’ experience in administration and has been a volunteer for a number of youth organisations over the past 10 years. She is also a Trainee Counsellor and has a passion for helping people feel heard and supported, especially those who are struggling with mental health issues.

Caroline is a passionate advocate for improving mental health and emotional wellbeing. She currently manages a large team of volunteers who deliver services across NI and she oversees and coordinates the delivery of support groups and outreach events. Caroline is also responsible for support calls and support mail. Before joining the staff team Caroline was involved with AWARE for over 12 years as a Group Facilitator, Board Member and Company Secretary.  

Caroline is also a qualified counsellor/integrative therapist and she is a member of BACP. As well as her connection with the voluntary and community sector, Caroline’s experience of public and private sectors include a wide and varied career with HMRC and links with family business.

Cherry is the Support Services Officer in the Belfast Office at AWARE. She coordinates support groups and manages the recruitment and supervision of volunteers in her area. She also organises outreach events and manages AWARE's support calls and support mail. Cherry used to volunteer for AWARE as a support group facilitator for three years before joining the staff team in October 2014.  Her background is in adult and community education. 

Carole has been working for AWARE since October 2010. She carries out administrative duties for the Education & Training department. Carole helps to organise the training programmes, from advertising the courses, taking in the applications to evaluating the forms that the participants fill in. Carole also looks after the day to day duties of the office as well as being PA to the CEO.

Linda began working for AWARE in 2017. She is responsible for helping the Education and Training team organise their training programmes, as well as helping out with the daily Finance and HR duties of the organisation.

In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and keeping fit.