Meet the Team
Lois Sidney - Executive Director
Hi, I’m Lois. I am the Executive Director here at The SUN Network and have been here for over 11 years. Like everyone at The SUN Network, I have my own lived experience of mental health challenges which helps me understand others that experience them too.
I previously worked for HM Prison Service and made the transition into mental health about 14 years ago when I retrained as a Psychodynamic Counsellor, and honestly love the work we do here at The SUN Network.
If you are wondering how you can get involved in our work, we help you to learn more about how decisions are made in services and funding and look for ways for you to be involved in making those decisions too. This could be through sharing your own experiences or thoughts at workshops or meetings, designing posters and leaflets, or having a one off consultation or being involved in a six month project or longer. There are loads of ways to be involved and share your invaluable experiences. I never thought as someone who has needed a service that I could possibly influence how that service runs, so to be able to help others do just that is such a joy. And we support you every step of the way so do connect with me and have your voice heard. Lois.sidney@sunnetwork.org.uk
In my spare time, I absolutely love nature and animals, so I have a house and garden full of flowers, plants and pets which I find really therapeutic. I also play competitive football for a local ladies football team.
Anne Wigglesworth - Co-Production Facilitator
Hi everyone, I am Anne. Throughout my life, my work has been inspired by my interests in the arts, fitness and the outdoors and to work with people, to make a difference, speak out and make sure voices are heard. Through my own experiences of the mental health challenges I have had and still experience, I have finally settled, working in mental health, in a role that enables me to strive and help make a difference.
I have worked for The SUN Network since August 2015 and I am a Co-production Facilitator here, but what does that actually mean?…Basically, I work with people like myself, who have their own experiences of mental health to enable them to be involved in projects, where their understanding of the challenges they have experienced help to make a difference to change, design and be involved in the development of mental health services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
I also love to travel, exploring different cultures, architecture, ancient history and religion. I’m also a keen gardener and very passionate about my allotment.
KC Cade - Co-Production Facilitator
I’m so pleased to be part of The SUN Network team. I enjoy connecting with people who struggle with addiction, while encouraging them with the best support in our county.
I’m learning so much about recovery by talking to people who are in very different places–what a privilege!
Partnering and sharing what I learn about taking care of ourselves is one of the rewarding parts of my job and I love finding a place ‘around the table’ for people to help improve services and tell their stories.
After a long career in corporate IT, the time came to pursue my passion in recovery and wellness. A few years later, I look back and realise I’m having the best time of my life! I’ve had friends and family with short and long term mental health challenges and I have my own story of addiction recovery which fuels my desire to help others pursue their own health.
Rachel Nightingale - Co-Production Facilitator
Hi, I’m Rachel. I am the Older People’s Co-Production Facilitator and have been lucky enough to work here since January 2022.
When this opportunity came up, I couldn’t pass up the chance to have a direct positive impact on people’s mental health. The work that is done here at The SUN Network is so crucial to the local services and I just want to spread the word. Had I known about all the things available when I first started experiencing my own mental health challenges, I think I would have felt better supported and less alone. I feel like it’s important to give people knowledge of what’s available to them! It’s a great privilege to be in the position that I am working in now and I feel passionate about being able to make a difference.
Spare time wise, I don’t get much of that but it’s important to me to stay active through running and I also love gardening too. For me it’s also really important to stay connected to my friends.
Joanna Grimmer - Co-Production Facilitator
Hi, I’m Jo and I started working for The SUN Network in June 2023. I’ve had many different jobs: scientist, teacher, librarian, enrichment officer and self-employed tutor as well as a mum to 3 (mostly) grown up kids. However, my interests and skills have moved towards mental health and wellbeing as I have lived with periods of anxiety and depression for many years. Through exploring my own strategies and training as a counsellor and coach, I have since worked as a crafting tutor, a wellbeing coach and more recently for CPSL Mind on their Triage phone line.
Keeping healthy is really important to me and I use the fitness classes at the local leisure centre alongside yoga, meditation and sound therapy to help me relax – and I am a big fan of an afternoon snooze. Many of the other things that I enjoy are creative and they often depend on what season we are in, I enjoy going to music festivals and camping with the family, walking in the woods and cooking up stews, crafting activities such as printing, sewing, crochet and painting as well as growing plants and vegetables.
I am so happy to be working with The SUN Network team as their work and life values, like my own, really match the values that our organisation promotes. There are many areas of mental health that I am interested in including raising awareness and reducing the stigma around self-harm and suicide, mental health changes during the menopause and empowering people to manage their own wellbeing through education and signposting to local mental health support and resources.
Kate Honan - Co-Production Facilitator
Hi, I’m Kate and I started working with The SUN Network in June 2023. I feel very lucky to be part of such an amazing team who have taken me under their wings. Like everyone at The SUN Network I have had my own struggles with mental health, but wasn’t aware of all the services that were available to not just me but my family members too. Since taking on this new role it has really opened my eyes to all the great support groups that are out there. I love that my job is now helping people like me find those paths to better mental health.
My drive to help people started through my role as a hairdresser. Working one to one with clients I built a safe space for people to talk freely about their lives and this made me realise that the part I loved about my job was helping people through good and bad times. I don’t have a lot of spare time with three young boys and two dogs, but we love to get out in the great outdoors come rain or shine.
Agata Polikowska - Co-Production Facilitator
Hey! My name is Agata, and I am very excited to join The SUN Network as a new Co-Production Facilitator. I developed a strong interest in mental health when I started studying psychology in sixth form. I continued this passion throughout my time at university, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology in 2023. With this valuable knowledge, I wanted to put it to good use and gain more real-world experience before beginning my master’s degree in forensic psychology.
While researching local mental health charities, I came across The SUN Network and immediately felt a connection. I quickly met the team and felt very welcomed by like-minded people who value the importance of mental health and are committed to bringing change to those affected by it. As someone who has battled mental health issues and has witnessed many friends experience their own struggles, I am thrilled to begin my journey into making a difference and helping people by giving them a platform where their voices are heard. My specific areas of interest in mental health are suicide and self-harm prevention, addiction support, and mental health both within and after prison.
In my spare time, I love hanging out with friends in any way that I can and reading books to stay away from my phone!
Sue Nicol - Co-Production Facilitator
Hi everyone, I’m Sue. I recently started working for The SUN Network after being involved with them as a service user.
I’m very passionate about the organisation and what they do, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to work with The SUN Network as a Co-Production Facilitator. I have my own lived experiences of drug and alcohol addiction, and I’m looking forward to listening to and learning from other people’s experiences within the services so we can maintain and continue to grow.
In my spare time, I enjoy team personal training, which I really feel benefits my mental health and well-being.
Adam Earl - Marketing and Content Creation
Hello, I’m Adam, and I handle the marketing, content creation and social media needs for The SUN Network.
I’ve previously worked in various roles, including as an academic editor, in software development and in education. It’s fantastic to help extend the work and reach of The SUN Network, and I look forward to seeing how it will grow and develop over time, and the positive effect it will have on services and service users.
My interests include running, reading and general outdoor activities.
Kev Clift - Chair of Directors
Hi, I’m Kev. I am the new Chair of Directors here at The SUN Network and have only recently been appointed. Like others at The SUN Network, I have my own lived experience of mental health challenges, which contributes to my understanding of those who may need support.
I recently retired from HM Prison Service after 28 years and am now adjusting to life outside of the service. I have previously been involved in supporting others, and it’s something I was going to miss in retirement. I was delighted to hear about The SUN Network and all the work they do. I was extremely pleased to be appointed as the Chair, where I can continue to help others and improve services within the community.
I enjoy keeping busy in my spare time and use fitness and mindfulness to maintain a healthy balance of well-being. I enjoy travelling, motorcycling, and anything to do with home improvement.
I have been made to feel very welcome by the amazing team, and I look forward to being involved and supporting The SUN Network.