Meet our Board of Trustees

Kate Davies-Poole

I joined the Board at Rochdale and District Mind in October 2016 and became a Co-Chair in October 2022.

My varied professional experience includes fifteen years working in an in-house legal department in the retail sector at all levels of support functions. This incorporated direct management of up to 22 people and working within the senior management team working to set strategies and adhere to budgets. Concurrently, I volunteered for a wonderful mental health charity in Longsight, Manchester, during my training and after qualifying as a counsellor. I also worked as a volunteer supporting victims of crime with Victim Support for a few years.

I have now built and run my own private counselling practice in Oldham. I work with diverse clients from different backgrounds and with different experiences. I also work with trainee counsellors as they start their own journeys.

Having had my own personal experiences and supported family, friends, and colleagues, I hold a keen interest in mental health and emotional wellbeing. I have a deep understanding of how vital the right support at the right time is for mental health and emotional wellbeing. I am passionate about sharing my skills for the benefit of those who access the services of Rochdale and District Mind.

-Kate Davies-Poole (She/Her)

Paul Sinclair

I joined the Board in 2020 and became Co-Chair in October 2022.

With over 25 years’ experience in the private sector across a range of industries, I’ve held senior roles spanning marketing, digital and strategy. I’ve also chaired and contributed to groups focused on Diversity & Inclusion and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG).

Having experienced mental health challenges both personally and professionally, I trained as a Mental Health First Aider and remain an active advocate for mental health in the workplace. I’m proud to work alongside the dedicated and talented team at Rochdale & District Mind, supporting our shared mission to improve mental health and wellbeing across the community.

-Paul Sinclair (He/Him)

Molly Deakin

Hi, I’m Molly! I joined the Board at Rochdale and District Mind in December 2025.

I bring a strong background in the voluntary and community sector, with hands-on experience across community and campaign fundraising, project management, partnership development, and strategic planning. My work has included developing funding and comms strategies, coordinating multi-partner initiatives, leading on impact measurement and data collection, and translating evidence into clear reporting for funders and stakeholders. I’m also well experienced in charity communications (newsletters, campaign and website copy, social media) and supporting organisations to share their work, values, and impact more clearly.

I have a close personal connection to mental health and emotional wellbeing, which makes my role as a trustee particularly meaningful. I’m proud to be able to share my skills, insight, and enthusiasm with a charity that delivers such vital, high-quality support to people across our community.

-Molly Deakin

Sakinat Baiyewu

I proudly assumed the role of Trustee in December, 2025. My professional background is in public health and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and my career has focused on developing and delivering cultural competence training that helps organisations better understand and meet the needs of diverse communities. Much of my work has been shaped by a commitment to tackling health inequalities, particularly where people experience barriers to access, poorer outcomes, or a lack of trust in services.

This is especially important to me in the context of mental health. I have seen, both personally and professionally, how unequal access to support and the stigma that can exist in some communities can prevent people from seeking help early, or from receiving the right support when they do. That reality has strongly influenced my motivation to champion more inclusive, culturally responsive approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

I currently work with the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), where I oversee strategic programmes and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes and reducing inequalities. Earlier in my time at CAHN, I also managed the organisation’s counselling team, which gave me direct insight into the lived experiences of individuals and families navigating mental health challenges, and the importance of services that feel safe, respectful, and accessible.

Alongside my role at CAHN, I am also a trustee of the Nigerian Community Leeds, and I have contributed to a range of community-led interventions designed to address inequalities and strengthen support for underserved groups.

I am genuinely honoured to join the Board at Rochdale and District Mind, and I look forward to using my experience and values to support the organisation’s mission and the communities it serves.

-Sakinat Baiyewu

Lee Houston

I proudly assumed the role of Trustee in June 2023, bringing with me over 14 years of experience in leadership within the Technology and Communications Industry. Throughout my professional career, I have had a particular focus in formulating and executing strategic initiatives. 

I am a passionate advocate for ensuring universal access to mental health support. Recognising the significance of mental well-being, I am enthusiastic about leveraging my expertise in strategy and technology to contribute to the goals of Rochdale and District Mind.

-Lee Houston

Sam Davys

Hello! I’m Sam. I live in Middleton, am an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader, a Mum – and I have an MBE!  

I was born in Oldham, having spent 5 years in Liverpool at university to study Dance! And now I live in Middleton with my little boy. My career has centred around people, learning and development, early careers, apprenticeships, and more recently I have moved into EDI, wanting to make a positive difference in the world, through encouraging large corporate businesses to be more inclusive, have diverse representation and do positive things for the communities they serve.  

I am very passionate about supporting people, am values driven and motivated by making a difference. Over the last decade my career has spanned across a number of industries; retail, law, and telecoms – to name a few. I enjoy learning new skills, experiencing new cultures and companies to expand my knowledge.  In my most recent role at TalkTalk, I was lucky enough to lead on a project called Kickstart, which aimed to reduce unemployment rates amongst young people as a result of the pandemic, with the help of the government. I was able to bring 100 young people into employment on a 6 month paid contract, and we retained half of those beyond the initial placement. This work led me to being nominated for, and selected to appear in the Kings New Years Honours list in 2022, and I received my MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2023 by Her Majesty Princess Anne.  

The pandemic was also a time I decided to look into volunteering and becoming a trustee. Seeing the role at Rochdale and District Mind completely aligned with my values. Mental Health affects so many of us, and a lot of people close to me, myself included. I thought if I could contribute in some way to a fantastic organisation who helps improve people’s lives which is something I’m passionate about, and at the same time continue to learn and develop my skills then it was a no brainer. I was officially appointed as a trustee in October 2021 and I feel privileged to lead the charity amongst my fellow board members. I’m inspired by the staff and volunteers, and hope I can add value in some way.

-Sam Davys (She/Her)

Shahed Alam

Hi, I am Shahed, an experienced accounting and audit professional. With a rewarding career spanning top-tier firms including PwC and Deloitte, I have honed my expertise to navigate the complexities of financial reporting, audit and financial management in the public, private and charitable sectors.  I joined the Board of Trustees at Rochdale and District Mind as Treasurer in April 2024.

In pursuit of a deeper purpose, I have ventured into entrepreneurship, spearheading my own accountancy practices. Alongside my professional endeavours, I harbour a profound interest in fostering positive change within the charity and education sectors. As a founding member of a reputable free school in London, and a longstanding Governor across various educational institutions until recently, I have dedicated over 15 years to advancing educational excellence and opportunity for underprivileged children.

I am thrilled to embark on this new journey as Treasurer at Rochdale and District Mind. With an unwavering dedication to financial stewardship and a fervent desire to effect meaningful change, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to contribute positively to the organisation’s mission over the forthcoming three years.

I love to play chess, and am addicted to books and current affairs.

-Shahed Alam