Sarah

Staff Nurse and Preceptee Mentor

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We asked Sarah about her experiences working as a mental health nurse here at the Trust:

How long have you been working in mental health?

I have worked as a RMN within the Trust for just over a year but I have previous experience working with those within mental health as a HCA in an acute CAMHS inpatient unit whilst I was a student nurse.

Did you work in any other area before working in mental health?

I have worked as a support worker previously with children and adults with learning difficulties.

Why are you passionate about it?

I am passionate about working to support others and teaching which has always been an interest of mine.

What is one of the best things about working in mental health?

I love the hands on work and learning something new everyday working with patients aswell as alongside my colleagues

What is the one misconception you think is out there about mental health?

People with mental health problems can snap out of it or change if they tried hard enough.

Professor Charlotte Clark

University Non-Executive Director 

Professor Charlotte Clark became University Non-Executive Director at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust in 2022. 

Charlotte Clark is Professor of Epidemiology in the Population Health Research Institute at St George’s, University of London. She is recognised for her expertise in the field of environmental noise effects on health (mental health, wellbeing, cardiovascular health, children's learning) and has advised the World Health Organization, DEFRA, and the UK Airport Commission on the public health impact of environmental noise. Charlotte is currently Secretary for the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN).  

Charlotte is also a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She is currently a member of the expert advisor panel for the Independent Commission for Civil Aviation Noise (ICCAN) and recently completed a six-year term on the Research Funding Committee for the National Institute of Health Research Public Health Research Programme. She was project lead for the revision of ISO/TS 15666 - the international standard for assessing noise annoyance in local communities.

Sola Afuape

Sola Afuape was appointed in August 2016. She is a member of QSAC and is Chair of Workforce and Organisational Development committee.

Sola has over 20 years’ experience in health and social care advising, designing and implementing national and regional programmes most notably in health inequality improvements and was Chair of a national charity tackling social exclusion and health inequalities with a particular focus on Mental Health, for which she was awarded an MBE.

Sola has held a number of advisory roles across a collaboration of CCGs and worked across government within the Department of Health, Public Health England, Standing Commissioning on Carers and the Arts and more recently HMCT’s London West Advisory Committee.

She currently runs her own consultancy specialising in Strategy, Workforce & OD and Equalities and conducting independent reviews which she combines with a deep passion for patient, staff and citizen voice, co-production and systems leadership.

Sola said: “I am thrilled to have been re-appointed to this position at such an important time for the Trust, with its concerted efforts supporting and enabling our staff to undertake what are both challenging and rewarding roles. It is a privilege to work alongside my fellow Board colleagues and I am looking forward to the next three years of service, contributing to what will be an exciting time transitioning to our new hospital.”

Ann Beasley, Trust Chairman, said: “I am delighted that Sola has decided to continue in her role as Non-Executive Director. Sola has made a significant contribution to our Trust over the past five years, including in her role as co-chair of the Equality and Diversity committee.”