MEET THE TEAM
Losing a child is said to be the worst trauma any parent will be subjected to.
Charity Director: John Bell
After John lost his 15 year son, Jake Bell, on the 17th July 2020, all he wanted to do was find a way to be with him again. This meant visiting the darkest place in his mind; a place no one should have to go. It affected his mental well-being, resulting in negative repercussions for himself and his family.
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Through suffering this level of grief and trauma and finding solace in the mountains and nature reserves through the first year of his grief, he final came to terms with the fact that there were two ways he could be with him again:
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1. To join him in what ever or where ever heaven may be.
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2. To carry on living everyday with joy and compassion in his heart from the love he has for his boy.
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To join him in the afterlife is no longer an option for Jake's dad, it is about seeing other alternatives and showing others that we can come through our trauma and that there is hope to find joy again.
John has chosen to dedicate his life to sharing his love for Jake and use the strength from that love to help others.
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Being ex-Army, he spent the first year after Jake's passing, pushing himself through physical challenges to counter balance his mental struggles. This led to John being able to find a place of solitude in the great outdoors and building resilience through nature.
This story shows what a father is capable of, with an aim to achieve something truly beautiful as a legacy to his boy. Through the love he has for his son, John wants to make sure that no one else has to suffer the way he is suffering. He knows that Jake is with him all the way, in his heart and memories, guiding him to help others.
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Everyone has a right to feel happy, peaceful, safe and loved. Why would we want to have a negative impact on others when we can have a positive impact, showing care, kindness, respect and compassion and to lift each other up.
Chairman to the board of trustees: Chris Atkinson
Chris lives in Nottingham and is married to Katie and their two children; Martha, 1 and George, 4 going on 14! He works from home for a large IT organisation as an Account Director.
Chris lost his son Jacob, 16, to suicide 4 years ago. Since that day he has been on a spiritual journey to heal himself for the good of himself and his family.
Chris is passionate about helping others who find themselves or loved ones in mental health crisis and believes Walking for Hope can make a real impact on the lives of young people at risk of mental health crisis by providing an environment that encourages connection with nature, exercise and open discussion about difficult feelings and experiences.
Deputy Chairman to the board of trustees: David Miller
After a short career in telecommunications as an engineer, Dave spent 25 years in local church ministry for the United Reformed Church, first in Peterborough and then North Staffordshire. He is married to Shirley and has four children and two step children, all grown up, with whom he enjoys spending time. He continues to work with churches in Derbyshire in a voluntary capacity, regularly helps out at local falconry centre and is a facilitator for Andy's Man Club, a peer to peer support group encouraging good mental health. He has an interest in up-cycling small items of furniture and enjoys DIY. Dave is an enthusiastic supporter of Walking 4 Hope acting as a trustee, and playing a part in supporting many of the charity's activities.
Secretary to the board of trustees: Shirley Miller
Shirley worked in business for over 25 years, before leaving to train for church ministry in the United Reformed Church. For 14 years she served churches in Sheffield, Stone & Stafford, and finally in North Staffordshire with David, after their marriage. She enjoys time spent with their family of six and serves as a governor at Northfield Primary & Nursery School, where she regularly visits to listen to Year 3 children read. Since retiring from church ministry Shirley works as a Pastoral Supervisor on an ad hoc basis, and is the minute-taker for the United Reformed Church Moderators’ monthly meetings. She enjoys keeping fit, gardening, Pilates and learning to play the piano. As a trustee and secretary for Walking 4 Hope Shirley enjoys spending time with the ‘Let’s Be There’ support group and with John on walks.
Trustee: Jo Bell
My name is Jo Bell and I am a mother and a wife. Five years ago, I left a career as a primary school teacher after 13 years.
In my last year of teaching, there were some children in my class who had mental health disorders and experiencing trauma. Despite their academic abilities, they struggled to focus in class causing disruption, challenging behaviour and some very upsetting times for themselves and those around them.
One particular day, they weren’t able to cope in class, with the academic restrictions and requirements. Tables were turned and things were thrown and kicked. It wasn’t fair on them and the other children in the class; the learning had to be put on hold. I made the decision to put reading, writing and maths to one side for the rest of the day. I took out a bag of pebbles and asked the children to paint them for the eco garden. I sat with those particular children and we talked, laughed, painted and stayed sitting and focused for 2 hours. I can not tell you how emotional I felt, that sitting and doing something creative with these children enabled them to feel relaxed, happy and calm. It was at this moment that I knew I needed to come away from teaching and use art and creativity to help children.
My aim was to go back to university to do a masters in art therapy. This is still my aim. Currently, however, I am a full-time, freelance mural artist which I love. I get to travel around and paint in schools, and make children and staff smile with my work. On numerous occasions, I have given the opportunity for certain children (who have behaviour issues or autism) to come and help me paint parts of the mural. This has been fulfilling for me as much as it has for them; increasing their confidence and pride.
Then 2 years ago, my 15 year-old step-son, unexpectedly, took his own life. This ripped our family apart and turned our world upside down. Although I wasn’t in the right place, mentally, at the time, to help our children through this tragedy, our youngest daughter’s school did a lot of art and creative type therapy with her. I know that this was invaluable, and has reinforced my views on using art to help children struggling with their mental health and trauma.
It has made me incredibly passionate about being involved in the charity, Walking 4 Hope. It will be such a valuable tool in helping young people who are struggling mentally. It will provide a more immediate source of help and support, and will encompass a variety of therapy-type activities and groups. The mental health crisis is rising and I strongly believe that Walking 4 Hope will have a positive impact on so many people and families, and I will be proud to say that I am part of that.