Hi, my name is Debbie Cooper. I decided after a long career of working with the elderly to go back to education and attended a 2-year access course at Derby College and then proceeded to take a course at Derby University.

I first attended Well for Life as a 3rd year Health and Social Care student at the University of Derby in 2010. Straight away I felt welcomed and at home; the staff volunteers and clients were so friendly warm and welcoming. I knew little about HIV and how it affects a person’s life and well-being until I became involved with the organisation, the more I read and learnt the more I wanted to know and understand to be able to help and support people living with HIV.

After my placement at Well for Life ended, I then volunteered and became a trustee from 2011 to 2015, when I had to step down as I was caring for my mother full time who had a terminal cancer diagnosis. In late 2017, I restarted volunteering and rejoined the Board of Trustees at Well for Life and have continued to this present day.

I am a retired Registered Nurse having worked in the NHS for 40 years.

I have been interested in volunteer work since retiring. I have a very caring & conscientious nature. I want to make a difference in other people’s lives. I came across the Well for Life charity 14 years ago through a very dear friend & found it interesting & varied with a lovely caring team of employers & volunteers. I wanted to be part of this. The charity does lots of work around health & well-being & supporting around individual’s needs.

At Well for Life, there is a wealth of skills which I would like to add to. I have also trained as a Complementary Therapist as I’m a believer in the holistic approach. I know clients have felt the benefits & look forward to such treatments as my list was always full. The positive feedback is a bonus. I am now a proud member of the Board of Trustees so I can be part of the evolving phase & future of this wonderful charity.

As a seasoned finance expert with extensive experience in financial management, analysis, and strategic planning, I excel in driving business growth, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing financial operations. My expertise spans credit evaluations, client relationship management, and financial systems, with a proven track record of delivering insightful financial reporting and leading high-performing teams.

With a strong academic foundation, including an Executive MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, I am currently pursuing CIMA (UK) to further enhance my financial expertise. I am eager to leverage my analytical skills, leadership capabilities, and financial acumen to drive organizational success.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I am deeply committed to creating positive impact. Having witnessed the devastating effects of HIV & AIDS in my  community, I am passionate about supporting those affected and being a part of their journey towards hope and healing. This is indeed what attracted me to Well for Life as I’m seeking opportunities to combine my financial expertise with my passion for making a difference.

I am a medical doctor, researcher, and academic with a strong interest in public health, physical activity, mental wellbeing, and digital health. My work focuses on understanding how cultural and social factors shape health behaviours, particularly among underrepresented communities.

I am a researcher exploring the relationship between physical activity and mental health, using digital health approaches such as accelerometers to better understand patterns of movement and behaviour. Alongside this, I work as an Associate Lecturer, supporting students in areas such as health, wellbeing, and lifestyle medicine.

I am a Care Coordinator with a background in health and social care, community health, and project delivery. In my current role, I lead teams to deliver safe, consistent, and high-quality support, coordinating complex care for children, young people, and vulnerable adults across a range of settings.

My work focuses on improving access to care, promoting independence, and delivering person-centred support that respects dignity and individual needs. I have experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals and social services, to achieve positive outcomes.

I also bring strengths in leadership, service improvement, and partnership working, with a practical approach to problem-solving and service delivery. As a trustee, I am committed to supporting the organisation’s vision and contributing to meaningful, lasting impact within the community.

A public health professional and behaviour change specialist with over 10 years of experience across the UK and Nigeria. Her work focuses on helping individuals and communities make sustainable improvements to their health and wellbeing, particularly in areas including smoking cessation, addiction recovery and mental wellbeing.

She brings extensive frontline experience of working with diverse communities, alongside expertise in delivering evidence-based interventions, supporting behaviour change and training healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes. She also has a strong interest in the responsible use of artificial intelligence and digital innovation to extend access to health support and strengthen prevention.

Ibukunoluwa is the founder of Vesla Group Ltd and is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

She was motivated to become a Trustee of Well for Life because of her belief in the importance of accessible, preventative and person-centred approaches to health and wellbeing. She sees the role as an opportunity to contribute her experience in public health, behaviour change, community engagement and innovation while learning from others and helping Well for Life strengthen its impact on the communities it serves.

I am a Social Worker by profession and have returned to volunteering for WFL following a long break. This is a charity that is close to my heart and I have witnessed first hand how the organisation has supported individuals to live positively with their diagnosis.

As an immigrant having to deal with the Home Office for immigration status at the same time one is dealing with a new diagnosis is extremely challenging. This is an area where I have seen WFL embracing individuals and providing support to lighten the burden.

I am glad to return to WFL to ensure my experience as a Social Worker and other personal experience are used to support those who genuinely need this support.