Our Trustees

Michael Mansfield QC

Overview

Michael Mansfield QC is one of Britain’s most well known Barristers and was called to the Bar in 1967. He then established Tooks Chambers in 1984 and became Queen’s Counsel in 1989. He now heads Nexus Chambers.

Michael has represented defendants in criminal trials, appeals and inquiries in some of the most controversial legal cases the country has seen, particularly where issues of Civil Liberty have arisen.

In 2015 Michael tragically lost one of his daughters, Anna, to suicide and despite the terrible devastation, he was determined something positive should result. This is when he decided, with his wife Yvette Greenway-Mansfield, to form SOS Silence of Suicide, in order that no one should have to suffer in silence from mental health issues and feelings of suicide.

In November 2017, Michael celebrated 50 years at the Bar – a huge achievement.

Within SOS

As Head Trustee and co-founder of SOS, Michael plays an active role in the day to day operations, management and strategy of the Charity, ensuring that its original aims of reducing shame, stigma and silence around mental health and suicide are continued, alongside encouraging honest and open discussion.

Yvette Greenway-Mansfield

Yvette Greenway-Mansfield is our CEO and co-founder of SOS Silence of Suicide.

Anita Wardle

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anita Wardle as trustee for SOS Silence of Suicide.

Anita is a Oncology, palliative and end of life therapist living in Liverpool.

Once diagnosed with a terminal illness, many of my clients express a desire to take control of their death, feeling a sense of mourning themselves due to a great loss of control of many aspects of their life. Often, not wanting to discuss such feelings with their family and friends, as a therapist they feel free from judgement.

I’ve experienced the pressure within many occupational fields and observed friends and family members hit challenging times. Everyones experience of a dark time or place is different, Job losses, addictions, relationship breakdowns, illness and death of others often release emotions that we’re not programmed to deal with, It’s only with the support and care that we feel in control and able to come through these moments.

I’m very excited to join a fantastic, passionate team and looking forward to what I can bring to the charity.

Anthony Cash

Anthony Cash – Overview

SOS Silence of Suicide are delighted to announce the appointment of Anthony Cash as a Trustee.

Tony has been with us throughout our development and we are delighted to offer him a more formal role within our Charity.

Tony says: ‘I’ve worked with SOS since it started and it’s fantastic to see how it’s grown to help so many people. I’m looking forward to a time when physical meetings are possible again as there’s no doubt that the SOS meetings make a huge difference to everyone who attends. In the meantime, I will continue to support SOS in any way I can and I am very excited about what the future holds for this amazing Charity.

Outside of his work at a local primary school, Tony is a keen DJ and also a highly skilled actor, having appeared in many local amateur dramatics productions.

Within SOS:

Tony is a phone support volunteer who also assists with training and monitoring of volunteers and works closely with our CEO, Yvette, to develop and drive new initiatives. Having been part of SOS since the very beginning, when he helped organise our very first SOS meeting in Leamington Spa, Tony knows the Charity and its aims inside out.

Lorna Hackett

Lorna Hackett Overview

Lorna Hackett is a barrister specialising in human rights and public law, and is head of legal practice at Hackett & Dabbs LLP. She has a particular interest in representing the most vulnerable in society, and an expertise in high profile cases and those in which there is a potential for significant media interest. She is a long standing campaigner for prisoners serving imprisonment for public protection (IPP) who often suffer from serious mental health issues. Lorna is passionate about removing the stigma attached to mental illness and seeks through her work with SOS to encourage people to share their experiences and to ask for help.

Within SOS

Lorna helps support the Charity by offering legal opinion and guidance where it is needed. Lorna has also facilitated the introduction of supportive individuals and organisations to SOS, some of whom have donated much needed resources to our charity.

Tom Humphriss

Tom is currently undertaking his Legal Practice Course to become a Solicitor after graduating University with a Law degree.

Tom feels that he can use his past and present experiences throughout his student life to relate to the struggles young adults face. This is why he believes SOS is a vital platform to promote change.

Tom is passionate about creating a stigma free environment to allow people to feel comfortable when talking about their Mental Health. In particular, he believes it is very important to address the escalating crisis in young adults who face numerous pressures to succeed. Sadly, like many he has also experienced the tragic loss of a friend through Mental Illness.

Miranda Leslau

Miranda Leslau – Overview

Miranda Leslau, founder of Miranda Leslau PR, is one of the world’s leading maverick, multi-lingual communications’ experts and PR strategists who has recently extended her portfolio of work to include agent representation for authors and corporate clients under #nofilter talent. Advising at Board level since she was 19 and chosen as one of 60 official Team GB Translators/Interpreters at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Miranda has built up a 30-year practical proven track record working with celebrities, international governments, entrepreneurs, public bodies, charities and FMCG companies the world over. Miranda was also headhunted to lecture for two universities on Public Relations, namely Boston University, USA and The University of Buckingham, UK, aged just 30. Her emotionally intelligent approach to life, people and work is ‘unique’ in the truest sense of this over-used word; she is direct, trustworthy, authentic, resilient, tenacious (in the right way) and her brain is as creative as it is mercurial – her life mantra is “To make a difference…” Miranda is able to see both macro and micro and is a hard-working and reliable individual who has an inspirational and sometimes tragic life story to tell that is worthy of a film. She is also funny, loves her dog Jackson and can make a perfect omelette. Her interest in mental health and, in particular the mental wellbeing of the young, is based on personal experience as a vulnerable child and adult, in addition to being an empath and sensitive to the sometimes harsh world in which we live. Miranda hopes to add value to the existing SOS Silence of Suicide Trustee team and is currently a Make-A-Wish Ambassador and about-to-be-appointed Trustee for Lifeworks Charity in the South West.

SOS are delighted to welcome Miranda on board.

Within SOS

Miranda manages external PR and communications for SOS to ensure more people learn about our support services and the work that we do. Miranda also supports with behind the scenes project and research opportunities