Meet the Board
Second Step's Board is a group of committed volunteers bringing their expertise and experience to the direction and governance of the organisation. Our Chair is salaried. Our Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance are also members of the Board.
One of our Board members, Neelu Agarwal writes about her first role as a Board member for Second Step.
Board-related vacancies
We are currently looking for two new trustees
If you have organisational development experience or mental health service delivery experience, and are interested, find out more here.
Kelvin Blake
Chair
Kelvin is a Bristol native who, since retiring from BT in 2018, has been involved in several community groups, focusing on community activism. Since joining Second Step's Board five years ago, he's been involved in expanding our services beyond Bristol into Somerset.
Kelvin says, "A close family member was a heroin addict and lived a chaotic life, so I understand the trauma and have a passion to create better options for those who are often the invisible people in our communities.
I'm ambitious for Second Step and as Chair I will focus on improving the client voice, maintaining quality despite challenges, and championing staff wellbeing and development. With my real-life experience and business background, I believe I can help take Second Step forward."
Oona Goldsworthy
Vice Chair and Chair of the People (Workforce) Committee
Oona is Chief Executive of Brunelcare, a housing association providing homes and care. She was previously the CEO of United Communities housing association. also in Bristol and is a proud Bristolian.
Oona is a Board member of the National Care Forum, Care and Support West and co-Chair of the Bristol Homes Board. She has also recently been appointed to the Bristol South Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).
Chris Roberts
Board member and Chair of Business Development, Finance and Audit Committee.
Chris is a qualified accountant. He was until recently a Governor of an NHS Mental Health and Community Trust, three of which were as Lead Governor.
He decided he wanted to try and use his experience as carer, his financial background and the years as a Governor to good use and applied for a Board role at Second Step.
Katie Norton
Board member and Chair of Service Quality Committee.
Katie Norton is Programme Director at NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB.
Previously Katie was CEO of Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust; public sector consultant at Deloitte LLP; plus senior roles in primary, community and mental health.
Richard Gleave
Board member
Richard Gleave is currently Director of Scientific Strategy and Development at the UK Health Security Agency.
He has a background as a NHS leader, civil servant and an academic working in Bristol, the South West and in nation-wide roles. He joined the Second Step Board in October 2017.
Ros Cox
Board member
With over 20 years' experience in social care and healthcare leadership, Ros Cox has held senior positions including Deputy Director for transformation and integration at Bristol City Council and Associate Director of Partnerships at the ICB, where she led on integrated care strategy.
A qualified Adult Care Social Worker since 2001, Ros has worked across hospital and community settings and is currently Assistant Director for adult care at North Somerset Council.
John Bassi
Board member
Monira Chowdhury
Board member
Monira has extensive experience in Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice, focusing on anti-racism, gender equity, and intersectional inequalities. She has held senior leadership roles in local government, health and social care, and the voluntary sector and has chaired several organisations.
With a background in law, Monira has worked in community engagement, mental health, social housing, and criminal justice, leading initiatives at local, regional, and national levels.
Lived experience member
Board member
We currently have two members on the Board with lived experience.