Board of Trustees
Nigel Smith
Board Member
Nigel has been our Citizens’ Representative since 2009. He is very active in our Sports Service which he enjoys together alongside other members. He has been a tenant in a Midland Mencap Supported Living house since 1995 and is involved with associated organisations in the City.
Robert Young
Board Member
Bob has been a Committee Member since 1988 and was Chairman from 1994 until 2002 after being Treasurer for some years. He is parent/carer to Arthur. Bob has seen Midland Mencap undergo many changes over the years and has always been very supportive and positive. He oversaw some holiday projects for children and adults held each summer in much earlier days.
Valerie Penney
Board Member
Val was previously a trustee with Walsall Mencap which merged with Birmingham Mencap in 2007 when Midland Mencap was born. She has personal experience of people with learning disabilities through earlier employment. Her role on the Board of Governors of a Walsall Special School was instrumental in building a sturdy relationship with parents of children with learning disabilities in Walsall, and Midland Mencap. She is involved with organising an annual sailing day for some members living in Walsall and involves herself in a number of health-related organisations in the area, which is beneficial and informative to the Board and our clients.
Jenny Cleminsen
Board Member
Jenny joined the Board of Trustees in 2005 and is a parent/carer to Bryn who lives in one of our Supported Living houses, where she is also supportive of the whole group of tenants. She is an effective voice for all our tenants in other Supported Living accommodation advocating their right to appropriate living accommodation and in accessing low-cost meaningful leisure time activities. She actively campaigned outside the Council House alongside Helen Elwell and against the drastic cuts to Supported Living for people with disabilities, alongside senior management and much supporting staff.
Helen Elwell
Board Member
After working as a PA and Conference Manager, Helen is now a parent/carer, working part-time and playing an active part in her children’s education. Helen joined the Board of Trustees in January 2016, and is a Midland Mencap volunteer within the Sports Service and also with the Community Connections pilot project. Her youngest son, David, has been accessing the CYP services for approximately seven years. Helen also gave her active support outside the Council House in the campaign against Council cuts.
Andrew Westwood
Board Member
A committed family man who enjoys walking, cooking and reading, with a background in I.T. working in different roles, i.e. Logistics, Finance and Procurement, also a School Governor. Andrew was attracted to volunteering with Midland Mencap as he ‘liked the sound of how things are done”.
Corin Mcginly
Board Member
Corin is a qualified chartered accountant experienced in all aspects of day to day finances. Her current role in business is to ensure junior staff members feel motivated and part of the wider team. She has been supportive to senior staff in her capacity. She believes her skills could be applied to the volunteer workforce and employees. She enjoys yoga and loves to travel.
Senior Board Members
MARTIN GALLAGHER
Chairman
Martin was previously Director of Operations at Mencap and has over 40 years’ experience of working in the voluntary sector. Martin has been Chair of Midland Mencap for sixteen years and also works with a number of community organisations in Worcestershire supporting self-advocacy groups and citizen engagement.
Kuldip Gujral
Vice Chairman
Kuldip was previously Asian Business Development Manager at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Kuldip brings a wealth of business planning and financial management expertise to Midland Mencap
